An Iranian laboratory specialist examines the purity and quality of saffron at the Novin Saffron processing...
An Iranian laboratory specialist examines the purity and quality of saffron at the Novin Saffron processing and packing facility in Mashad, 950 kilometers (590 miles) east of Tehran November 6, 2006. The spice saffron is derived from saffron crocus flowers. REUTERS/Caren Firouz (IRAN)