All 1 oz. cans are registered and sealed. Saffron, the world's most expensive spice, is picked by hand and one flower yields only 3 stems (or stigmas as called in the spice trade). It requires the harvest of 225,000 stigmas to produce 1 pound of saffron. The best saffron comes to us from Spain. It's used in European recipes for cakes and breads, and also with chicken, seafood chowders, casseroles & fried potatoes. To develop a golden color and flavor in rice, place a pinch into boiling water before adding rice. Use 12 Mancha Stigmas to 2 cups of water & 1 cup of rice. Product tin may differ in appearance.