What Types of Fish Eggs Is Caviar Made From?
Caviar is an expensive delicacy revered for its delicate taste and texture. Those who have tried it, describe it as having the consistency of melting butter with the taste of fresh ocean. While there is some discrepancy as to what truly qualifies as caviar, it is widely accepted that only the roe of sturgeon native to the Caspian Sea qualifies as authentic caviar. The three major types of caviar are Beluga, Ossetra and Sevruga. Does this Spark an idea?
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About Sturgeon
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Sturgeon are a prehistoric fish that have survived for over 250 million years. There are approximately 20 species of sturgeon all of which reside in the northern hemisphere. Most species live in saltwater habitats, but move into freshwater to spawn every three to four years. Only certain species of sturgeon, mainly those that live in the Caspian Sea, are harvested for caviar. The Beluga, Ossetra and Stellate sturgeon produce the highest quality and most expensive caviar.
Beluga Caviar
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The finest, rarest and most expensive caviar in the world comes from the Beluga sturgeon. The Beluga is the largest of the sturgeon species, often exceeding 2,000 lbs. They are a slow growing fish that can take up to 20 years to reach sexual maturity. Beluga eggs are the largest of the three elite caviars and range in color from black to light grey. Lighter colored caviars come from older fish and are more valuable. Beluga sturgeon is currently listed as an endangered species under the United States Endangered Species Act. The import of Beluga caviar has been banned in the U.S. since 2005.
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Ossetra Caviar
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The Ossetra sturgeon is smaller than its cousin the Beluga, and produces firmer textured caviar. The eggs of the Ossetra are smaller than the Beluga and range in color from golden amber to dark brown. The fabled "golden caviar" of the Ossetra sturgeon is known for its sweet and slightly nutty flavor. While the Ossetra also faces the threat of extinction due to overfishing, successful farming tactics have been developed to raise these fish in captivity.
Sveruga Caviar
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Sevruga caviar comes from the Stellate sturgeon. The Stellate is a smaller species than the Beluga and Ossetra, and produces the smallest eggs of the three Caspian sturgeon. Its roe ranges in color from slate grey to black and has a flavor that closely resembles Beluga caviar. The Stellate sturgeon is more common than the other Caspian species, making Sveruga caviar readily available and more affordable than Beluga and Ossetra varieties.
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