Saffron ( Persian : Ø Ù Ø Ù ' Ù Ù Ø Ù Ø Ù ) is a spice made from the stigma of the flower of the saffron plant . Some argue that it ultimately came from the Arabic word Ø Ù Ø Ù ' Ù Ù Ø Ù Ø Ù ( za ` farÄ n ) , which is itself derived from the adjective Ø # Ù Ø Ù ' Ù Ù Ø ( aá # far , `` yellow '' ) . However , some give an alternative derivation arguing that Ø Ù Ø Ù ' Ù Ù Ø Ù Ø Ù ( za ` farÄ n ) is the arabicized form of the Persian word Ø Ø Ù 3\/4 Ø Ø Ù ( zarparÄ n ) - `` having golden stigmas '' .