Is cinnamon a spice or herb?
Herbs are the leaves of a specific plant, like cilantro, mint or
tarragon, where spices refer to refined ingredients, like salt,
pepper seeds, cinnamon or chiles. Saffron is the stigma (the
fibrous threads in the center) from a saffron crocus blossom. So,
it's a spice. Saffron is very difficult to harvest because one
flower only produces three stigmas, or threads. Native to southeast
Asia it has been, for many decades, the most expensive spice in the
world. The flavor is very bitter and can be used to flavor and/or
color dishes (it contains crocis, a VERY yellow dye).