Caviar, or “black gold” depending on the fish species, is considered the prestige of gourmet food all over the world. This delicacy is usually a red-colored fish egg taken from the sturgeon fish, famous for its taste and traditional importance from different regions of the world. In the following sections, we present five of the most popular types of caviar that are recognized on the basis of their flavor, texture, and place of production.
1. Beluga Caviar: Ultimate Luxury
This little-known and highly-priced caviar consists of big, round, shiny eggs that are usually colored from silver-white to gunmetal gray. The taste of the caviar is thick, buttery, and creamy, and the aftertaste is especially luxurious. Since beluga sturgeon, the fish that yields this caviar, takes as long as twenty years to reproduce, the roe is very scarce and thus ranks among the most desired commodities. Beluga caviar is the cream of the crop, which is why if you would like to treat yourself to the royal meal, do it with caviar. It is best served with a glass of aged champagne so that all the savoriness of the dish can be enjoyed to the fullest.
2. Ossetra Caviar: Rich and Nutty Delight
This type of caviar is classified by nonspherical and intermediate-sized eggs with pale yellow to dark brown color. This caviar is much loved for its rich, buttery, and salty taste, which could also hint at fresh seaweed as well as a fruity note on the finish. These include ossetra sturgeons, which, though being smaller than belugas, yield some of the best-tasting caviars in the market. The taste is richer and more refined, a fact that makes caviar popular among gourmands. It is suitable for those who enjoy the balance of taste but are not against a hint of sophistication.
3. Sevruga Caviar: A Taste of the Caspian
This special caviar combines the Caspian’s raw energy and the modernity of what stands as the newest region for oil and energy exploration. Sevruga caviar is also extracted from the Caspian Sea and is from the sevruga sturgeon, which, though a smaller fish, is far more common than the beluga or the ossetra types of fish. The eggs are much smaller, and the coloration can vary from gray to almost black. Sevruga caviar is characterized by its sharp and spicy taste with rather pronounced fishy notes. This caviar is for those who really like a strong salty flavoring, and unlike the previous type, it is preferred by those who bring acquired caviar.
4. Siberian Caviar: An Emerging Star
Siberian caviar, which originates from Siberian sturgeon, is gradually being known as one of the best in the market. This is a sturgeon species found in Russian and Siberian rivers; it takes less time to mature than Caspian sturgeon, so caviar is more available and less expensive. The eggs are much smaller and firm when pressed with the tongue, and they taste even slightly more ‘earthy’ and rich in minerals compared to other caviars. Siberian caviar is actually a mild to medium flavor that has buttery and nutty undertones, as well. All in all, it is a perfect option if you are going to try different types of caviar for the first time or want to give it as a gift.
5. American White Sturgeon Caviar: A New World Classic
This kind of caviar extracted from an American fish known as White Sturgeon is mostly prepared in California, bringing the New World with flavors borrowed from the Old World. The white sturgeon is native to the West Coast of the United States and produces roe that are comparable to ossetra in both size and flavor. These eggs are medium sized with dark glossy shells. While tender, they are not musky, but instead have a subtle nutty overtone. This kind of caviar is ideal for persons who have not tasted real Caspian caviar before in that it provides a royal feeling at an affordable cost.
Conclusion
Caviar is not a mere gourmet product; it is a round-the-globe voyage of taste and heritage. From the precious and delicate beluga to the intense and saline sevruga, it will be possible to taste the different types of caviar that represent the sea. As a first-time consumer or handling a special occasion, you were welcomed with these five basic types of caviar. Therefore, the next time you fancy a gourmet meal and feel that your dining could do with an upgrade, enjoy the delicacies and fancy the experience.
