10 facts about caviar that you didn't know



1.Caviar is the oldest delicacy on the Planet

Sturgeon is one of the oldest species in the World. It had lived on Earth for 200 million years at the time when dinosaurs were alive on the planet and had been producing the most precious delicacy of the entire history of caviar. 

Sturgeon life span can reach up to 100 years. Sturgeon reaches its maturity to produce eggs roe at the age of 10-18 years old. That’s why caviar is so expensive.

2.Who started the caviar trend? 

Ancient Greeks, Romans, and Russian royalties were all known to love caviar.

3.What colors should real caviar be?

A fact about caviar is that it can be from light to dark gray and yellow-gray to brown-black. 

Red 'caviar' doesn't come from sturgeon. It is salmon roe and not considered to be true caviar. 

Only roe eggs from Beluga sturgeon (beluga), Russian sturgeon (osetra), and Stellate sturgeon (sevruga) can be proudly called “Caviar.”

4.Did you know July 18th is National Caviar Day?

Let’s get some caviar, blinis, and champagne to celebrate!

5.Did you know Chinese caviar makes up 60% of the USA market? 

The top exporters of Caviar into the US are China ($9 MM), Germany ($2 MM), Israel ($1.8 MM), and Japan ($1.1 MM).

6.What’s the difference between fresh vs. pasteurized caviar?

Fresh caviar is called “malossol” (coming from the Russian word ’lightly salted') and has the most refined taste. It is superior in quality but comes with a shorter shelf life. 

By pasteurizing the roe, the shelf life of caviar may be extended, but it results in the nutritional value of caviar, and the flavor is entirely lost in the process.

7.Caviar wasn’t always considered a delicacy.

Caviar was once reserved strictly for royalties. Yet surprisingly enough, in America during the early nineteenth century,  there was an overpopulation of sturgeon.

Caviar was routinely served during free lunches in barbershops and bars. The salty flavor encouraged thirst and increased sales, bar owners have mentioned.

8.Caviar is like Prozac

In ancient times caviar was prescribed to reduce depression. Recent studies have shown that high doses of omega-3 fatty acids  (caviar is rich in omega-3s) may relieve depression and bipolar disorder symptoms.

Caviar has many health benefits, enjoy caviar the nutritional value of caviar, and your life will become happier!

9.The most expensive caviar (and food) in the World is from a 100-year-old Albino Beluga

Almas caviar has a bright golden color and is considered the most expensive and rare caviar on Earth. Almas caviar comes from the eggs of 60 to 100-year-old Iranian beluga sturgeon and costs roughly $35,000 per kilo at a London auction.

Albino Beluga is born only in 1% cases due to inherited disorders characterized by little or no melanin production.

It’s almost impossible to reproduce albino beluga even if both parents have albino genes. Albinism is a mutation that occurs in humans as well.

10.Caviar is like a wine 

Caviar can variate in price due to many factors such as the method of harvesting: traditional way will always be more expensive than milking because it allows keeping better, fresher taste, and the caviar nutritional value is preserved. At the same time, it avoids hormone additives and pasteurization. 

Country of origin, fish fodder, and water sturgeon live in impacts quality and price of caviar significantly!