text: If you 've ever wondered why saffron is so expensive , it 's because 150,000 of these purple or white crocuses ( only the stamen is orange ) are necessary to make up a single kilogram ( 2 pounds ) of saffron proper , the stuff that flavors and colors those famous Indian curries and Spanish paella .
  
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  Saffron is expensive because the materials needed to make the materials are expensive and the end result is small .