Caviar

Caviar is roe or eggs from the sturgeon family of fish.
Caviar is one of the most expensive foods in the world.
The main types of caviar are Beluga, Sterlet, Kaluga, Ossetra, Siberian sturgeon and Starry sturgeon.
Beluga caviar is among the largest, rarest, and most expensive caviar.
Iran is a substantial producer of caviar. And Iran is the producer of the highest quality caviar in the world.

If you have a refined palate, it can be inferred that nothing but delicacies from different parts of the world can satisfy your taste. In this blog, we want to introduce you to one of the most sought-after products that Michelin-star chefs all around the globe compete with to get their hands on. In ancient times, only kings and royalty could enjoy this luxurious treat. However, today, it has been made available to the public. It is a raw food that comes from fish eggs and is not served with spices. You guessed it! We are talking about caviar.

A Brief History

The Persians first discovered this delicacy in ancient times. The term “Caviar” or “Khav-yar” is a Persian word meaning “cake of strength” or “cake of power.” Persians learned from the ancient Chinese to harvest and savor sturgeon eggs because they attributed them to medicinal and nutritional benefits. It is hard to determine the exact origin. However, it was around the 4th century B.C. because Aristotle mentioned sturgeon eggs as a precious culinary item in his notes.

What is Caviar Made of?

It is made of sturgeon roe, which is harvested, salted, and preserved precisely. A large body of wild caviar in the market comes from the Caspian Sea.

Is Caviar Fish Eggs?

Yes, but not any fish. Real caviar is only made of sturgeon eggs. Before purchasing this precious delicacy, you must ensure that it comes from any of the 26 species of the Acipenseridae family; if not, don’t even bother.

Is Caviar Halal?

Yes. Islamic law does not forbid Muslims from consuming fish eggs; therefore, it is perfectly safe to eat them. Only food items that are mentioned in the Quran as forbidden are the ones that Muslims should refrain from eating.

Is Caviar Good For Your Health?

The short answer is yes! It has a wide range of nutritional benefits, which are listed below:

• It is filled with nutritional values. One ounce (28g) contains 75 calories, 7g of protein, 5g of fat, 1g of carbohydrates, Vitamin B12, Iron, Zinc, Calcium, and Magnesium.
• It is a source of Omega-3, which is known to have the following benefits:
• Protects skin from aging.
• Boosts mental health.
• Improves male fertility.
• Prevents heart disease.
• Boosts immune system.
• Enhances brain health.
• Improves eyesight.
• It is an excellent dietary supplement and promotes weight loss.

Why Is Caviar Very Expensive?

There are a few reasons that make it so expensive:

• Banned fishing:

In the 1990s, sturgeon, especially beluga sturgeon, was recognized as a species in danger of extinction due to extensive and illegal fishing, pollution and destruction of its natural habitat, and decreased breeding rates. That is why fishing for freshwater sturgeon was banned in the US and many other parts of the world. In 2024, the countries bordering the Caspian Sea, including Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan, agreed to extend the commercial sturgeon fishing ban to 2025.

• Complex and costly farming methods:

Since wild sturgeon is considered an endangered species, farmed sturgeon has replaced it in the market. While being eco-friendly, farming sturgeon is not necessarily cost-friendly. Furthermore, sturgeon aquaculture can be highly time-consuming. Female sturgeons, at times, take 15 years to mature and be able to produce eggs on farms, which results in a financial drain for the farmers. Therefore, since sturgeon farmers have to go years without profit, they should compensate for the lost expenses by raising the cost.

• Delicate harvesting and handling process:

There are two methods for harvesting sturgeon roe: the classical and the “No-Kill” method, the latter being more costly. The final product’s quality greatly depends on how it is harvested and preserved because fish roe should be as fresh as possible before packaging. The fish roe is always extracted by hand to minimize the damage to its delicate nature. Once the fish eggs are removed, they are rubbed against a stainless steel screen to remove the remaining membrane or broken eggs. Then, they are washed and salted to prepare for packaging. This entire process should occur quickly to keep fish eggs fresh.

Caviar Price Per Kilogram

Due to its high value, this food can be priced at more than $40,000 per kilogram.

Caviar Types and Their Tastes

Based on the fish from which the eggs are harvested, there are different types of this luxurious treat:

• American White Sturgeon

While it is often believed that the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea sturgeon produce the best caviar, the American White Sturgeon usually comes close regarding taste and quality. This is the product most favored by top chefs and gourmet experts because of its variety in terms of quality, taste, and price. It has a delicate flavor similar to nuts. The fish eggs are black in nature.

• Sterlet

This type of fish has become more popular with aquafarmers because it matures faster, so its eggs can be harvested sooner. It has a buttery and sweet flavor similar to that of sevruga and is light to dark grey in color. Another type of this fish is the albino sterlet, which has yellow eggs.

• Kaluga Hybrid

Also known as river beluga, this fish is a mixture of Kaluga and Amur sturgeons. Since the Kaluga hybrid is typically more extensive, its eggs are bigger and have a more pungent taste unmatched by other types. It has a salty and earthy flavor, ranging from gold to dark brown and even olive green.

• Ossetra

Next to beluga, ossetra caviar is considered one of the most sought-after delicacies in the world. It often has a shade between deep brown and gold. Golden osteria has a rich, creamy, and nutty flavor, which is best served with one-bite appetizers.

• Sevruga

This fish is relatively smaller than other sturgeon types, and, as a result, its eggs are slightly smaller as well. It is primarily grey and black and tastes somewhat saltier but less fishy than other products. That is why, in terms of flavor, this is the most favorite caviar in the market.

• Beluga

In general, the beluga is the hallmark of this delicacy’s aquaculture. This type of fish existed long before the dinosaurs’ extinction, but only in the past decades has it reached the point of extinction. The most expensive product in the market is a type called Almas (diamond) Caviar discovered near Iran. It is charcoal in color and sold for more than 34,000 dollars per ounce.

• Siberian

This type is significant mainly due to its texture, which melts in one’s mouth instead of bursting. Its cheesy flavor, like parmesan, goes perfectly with pasta.

Caviar Food and How to Eat It

Due to its rich taste and delicate nature, this delicacy should be served sophisticatedly. Just like its farming and harvesting process, there is an art to eating this product as well. If you want to enjoy this nutty and earthy fish roe, then follow these steps:

• Serve it fresh.

When freshly harvested and served, the fish roe has the best consistency and taste. If you can get your hands on the product harvested from the female fish, you can experience the taste of heaven. The fish eggs should be pasteurized for shipping and manufacturing reasons to extend the product’s shelf life. However, nothing beats its taste when served fresh.

• Serve it cold.

Fish roe or egg is not meant to be served hot or cooked because heat destroys the product’s subtle texture and divine taste. It should only be served as a side dish or an appetizer.

• Serve it with little to no seasoning.

This delicacy has the taste of the ocean and deep-sea fish, so it should be enjoyed in isolation and never accompanied by any citric fruit. No external seasoning is needed to serve it.

• A mini toast or a cracker is all you need.

If you want to enjoy a mouthful of heaven, spoon it on a mini toast or cracker and eat it in one bite. That is how you can enjoy the whole experience.

• Use appropriate serving utensils.

Do not use metal spoons, as they increase the danger of oxidation. Instead, use Mother of Pearl spoons. Plastic spoons can also be used.

• Do not eat more than a spoonful at a time.

While this advice may seem unnecessary due to the expensive nature of this delicacy, it is worth stressing that you should not overeat it in one setting. You may suffer from an upset stomach, which ruins your entire experience.

Best Caviar for Beginners

If you are new to this experience, you need all the information you can get. First, examine your palate and decide whether or not you have a sophisticated palate. Understanding this fact about yourself may be complicated; however, if you have been able to identify high-quality food items before based on their taste and texture, it could be suggested that you have a refined palate. Having a refined palate is essential in distinguishing the actual product from fake items in the market.

Decide whether or not you are an adventurous eater. Are you always looking for something new, or are you comfortable with familiar tastes? Answering these questions correctly is essential before embarking on this journey. You cannot go wrong with any of these luxurious treats if you have a diverse palate. But if you have a delicate palate, choose Sevruga or Siberian—both have subtle flavors that melt in your mouth.

Decide your budget. This is one of the key steps in the process because it determines the quality of your experience. How much money will you spend to create an unforgettable dining experience? When it comes to your budget, if the sky is the limit, choose Beluga for the experience of a lifetime. But if your budget is limited, go for American White Sturgeon due to its wide variety in price and palate.

The last part to consider is whether you are a seafood lover. Do you mind a fishy taste in your mouth? You may want to lay off this delicacy altogether if you react adversely to fishy smells or tastes. Remember that, regardless of the type, the fish roe always carries the essence of the ocean with it. Therefore, prepare yourself for the richness of the sea to explode in your mouth.

Best Place to Buy Caviar Online

At Aligohar Group, we offer a wide range of premium-quality products. You can choose the products that best fit your palate and budget. If you are new to this experience, all you need to do is contact us. Our consultants will give you all the information you need about different types and how much they cost. We will stop at nothing to ensure a rewarding and tasty online shopping experience.

Caviar Near Me

You can find and purchase this delicacy at nearby stores regardless of your residence. At Aligohar Group, in collaboration with our partners, we provide caviar delivery services to many chain stores and supermarkets around the globe. We want our customers to enjoy our products in the comfort of their homes without having to step out.

Important Note on Buying Caviar

Whether you are a novice in the caviar world or an expert, remember never to buy a product before tasting it. This is the only way to determine its quality and freshness. Look for stores that offer small samples first. If you do not find any, try buying the smallest portions possible to determine the taste.

As mentioned above, the higher the price, the better the quality of this delicacy. Don’t fall for stores that offer the product on sale. Real caviar is not cheap! And having a sale on a priceless product makes no sense.

If you want to buy online, avoid products sold on the black market and only shop from trusted suppliers. Aligohar Group is a trusted supplier offering a wide range of products available worldwide.

Interesting Facts about Caviar

• The sturgeon fish has been around for millions of years and dates back to the Jurassic era.
• Persians first discovered it by accident in the 4th century. In ancient times, rivers in Asia were filled with sturgeon, and Persians loved the fish meat. They were the first to learn how to prepare and preserve fish roe to be served in isolation.
• Until the 19^th century, it was only served to the royalty.
• Russian Tsar Nicholas II promoted it as a delicacy and ordered fishermen to pay their taxes using fish roe.
• It was first served as an appetizer in pubs because its salty texture made drinkers thirsty and encouraged them to drink more.
• After the Russian Revolution in 1917, many Russians who fled to other parts of Europe shared their love of this delicacy with the Europeans. Around this time, champagne sales were booming. As a result, people resorted to drinking Champagne with Caviar. This is how history, not any tradition, brought them together.
• It takes over 20 years for beluga sturgeon to mature, contributing to its high value in the market.
• July 18^th is World Caviar Day.

Check out Other Products!

At Aligohar Group, we aim to provide a space where our customers can access and buy some of the most sought-after products in the culinary world. That is why we have dedicated our services to very few products that mark Persian heritage and history and are loved by many around the globe. At the top of our other products shines the ultimate crimson crown of Saffron, a Persian spice that dates back more than 3,500 years. Whether you want to cook a course dish or a dessert, saffron complements your dish.

Another product offered on our website is pistachios. Pistachios are a hallmark of Persian culture, which was discovered after the Mongol invasion of Persia. Pistachios, at times called Green Gold, are nuts that are not only rich in flavor but also filled with nutritional benefits. The antioxidants in pistachio kernels improve hair and skin health and slow down the aging process.