A quite popular delicacy that is associated with fine dining and luxury, Caviar is loved by food enthusiasts worldwide. Often connected with rich and powerful people, caviar is not just food, it is an experience in itself. It stands out for its unique profile of flavors and textures, and is available in different types.
Over the course of history, the upper parts of the society like czars, royals, and kings consumed caviar. Basically, it is fish eggs, sourced from the Sturgeon fish family with Beluga caviar being the rarest, largest, and the best black caviar out there. In this post, we’ll discover everything about this delicacy right from its different types to its taste and benefits.
What is Caviar Exactly - History & Origin
In simple terms, caviar is unfertilized eggs of fish, also called fish roe. Even though it is luxurious, it is quite accessible and is sourced from eggs of different species of the sturgeon fish. After harvesting the eggs or roe from female sturgeon, they are first salted, then cured, and packed so that people can consume it. Sturgeon is the most famous, but trout and salmon also produce delicious roe.
The caviar’s history is quite rich as it has been consumed by different civilizations all across the world. The first group of people to eat it were the Persians, and they considered caviar perfect to be served to kings and other members of royal families. As time passed, it reached the European aristocrats, and became a symbol of extravagance and luxury for the people.
The main origin of caviar comes from the prehistoric sturgeon fish, which is loved by people for its delicious roe or eggs. Present in the pure waters of the Black Sea and Caspian Sea, sturgeon has a really distinct flavor and taste. Every single species of sturgeon produces unique roe that gives different characteristics like buttery, briny, smooth, or bold to the caviar.
Different Types of Caviar
There is no shortage of variety when it comes to caviar. While sturgeon gives the best black caviar, there are many different varieties you can explore for a unique sensory experience.
Beluga Caviar
The large, prehistoric sturgeon fish, around 15 feet in length and weighing around 3000 pounds, produces the best caviar you can consume. This fish is mainly found in the Caspian Sea, bordering Iran, Russia, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Russia. It is quite rich and you won’t experience a fishy taste at all. It can appear in different colors like dark gray, pearl gray, etc. giving it the name of black caviar.
Kaluga Caviar
Found in freshwater and large in size, the Kaluga sturgeon has a taste and texture that is really similar to the Beluga Caviar, and this makes it sought after by people. The eggs from this fish are smooth and you’ll experience a buttery, lightly-salted flavor on consuming them.
Osetra Caviar
The Osetra sturgeon gives medium-size eggs which are dark brown to golden in color. Osetra caviar has fruity, briny, and nutty notes with people loving it for these complex flavors. Also, these eggs come in different textures and burst inside your mouth, leading to an explosion of tastes.
Sevruga Caviar
The Sevruga sturgeon gives small eggs that have a grayish-black shade to them. It has an intense and strong profile of flavors, ranging from salty, rich, and a little bit fishy. People who like an assertive and strong taste prefer the Sevruga caviar.
Sterlet Caviar
Found in Russia and Siberia, the Sterlet sturgeon has small to medium eggs that are light or dark gray in color. This caviar has a delicate flavor that will remind you of almonds and butter. Even though it is small in size, still many people love its delightful taste and texture.
Hackleback Caviar
It is a delicious and affordable option that comes from Hackleback sturgeon found in the USA. The eggs are really small and jet black in color. On consuming it, you’ll experience a nutty and rich flavor, making it quite versatile to use in different culinary settings.
How to Serve Caviar?
You can go to your local supermarket or buy caviar online, but it won’t be of any use if you don’t consume it correctly. People eat it not just for taste, but also for its appearance. Here is how you should serve caviar.
On a Spoon
Usually, people serve caviar alone without anything to go with it. It’s kept chilling cold and then served on an ice bed or crushed ice. A metal spoon can change its taste, so people eat it with a special spoon made with mother of pearl or bone. Eat in really small bites if you want to appreciate its taste.
As Appetizer
People also like consuming caviar as an appetizer along with crackers, butter toasts, or other food that tastes neutral. Some people even serve it rolled with sour cream, in a Russian pancake, or in a blini.
Paired with Other Food
Some individuals prefer serving caviar with another food item. Usually, the accompanying item is quite basic so that the texture and flavor of the caviar remains strong. A drop of creme fraiche adds a creamy touch to the caviar’s pop.
Nutritional Benefits of Caviar
Other than luxury and taste, caviar also has many nutritional benefits for our body.
- It is a great source of protein, phosphorus and calcium, ensuring strength and proper bodily functions.
- It’ll give you almost 10% of your daily iron requirement, along with ideal levels of magnesium and selenium.
- Caviar provides vitamin B6, B2, B12, A, C, and D that enhance your immunity and vision.
- It’s a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids that help you fight heart diseases and depression. Also, it provides you with many essential amino acids.
Conclusion
When it comes to gourmet and fine dining, there is nothing that comes close to the caviar. Right from its unique texture to complex flavor profiles, it offers an amazing and delightful experience. In our post, we read everything related to it, right from its harvesting to its different types.
Whether you want to consume it alone, pair it with another food item, or eat it with champagne, you’ll surely love it. Go enjoy it at your local gourmet restaurant or buy caviar online, if you want to experience its unmatched luxury and amazing nutritional benefits.
