Saffron

Three threads per flower, hand-plucked. The most expensive thing in your kitchen, sold by the gram. Worth it, used right.

The default move. Steep threads in 2 tbsp warm liquid, let it turn the color of sunset, then add the whole infusion to the pot.

Releases the safranal. Easy to overdo. Crumble the threads first.

For places where threads would look out of place. Sugar abrades the threads cleanly.