Caviar is processed, salted, non-fertilized sturgeon roe marketed as a luxury food. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, caviar is a product made from salt-cured fish-eggs of the Acipenseridae family. The roe can be “fresh” (non-pasteurized) or pasteurized, with pasteurization reducing its culinary and economic value.
Traditionally the term caviar refers only to roe from wild sturgeon in the Caspian and Black Sea(Beluga, Ossetra and Sevruga caviars). Depending on the country, caviar may also be used to describe the roe of other fish such as salmon, steelhead, trout, lumpfish, whitefish and other species of sturgeon.
Based on flavor, size, consistency and colour, prices for caviar range from $8,000-$16,000 per kg. Caviar is marketed worldwide as a delicacy and is eaten as a garnish or a spread.
- Almas Caviar :Almas caviar comes from Iran making it extremely rare and extremely expensive. The only known outlet is the Caviar House & Prunier in London England’s Picadilly that sells a kilo of the expensive Almas caviar in a 24-karat gold tin for £16,000, or about $25,000. Coincidentally, it is also where you can find the most expensive meal in Britain. The Caviar House also sells a £800 tin for those on a smaller budget.
- Farm Raised Osetra Baerii – This expensive caviar comes from the Osetra sturgeon that can be found in the Caspian Sea. However this particular caviar is farm raised in Italy in a controlled environment. It has a sweet tangy flavor and is available at cost of $70.00 per ounce.
- American White Sturgeon – Coming from a farm in California, this most expensive caviar is found in the White sturgeon. Black in color and having a buttery texture this caviar is priced around $75.00 per ounce.
- Osetra Karat Malossol Gold – This expensive caviar also comes from a breed of the Osetra sturgeon which is farmed raised as well but in Israel. As the name indicates this caviar is gold in color with a pure robust flavor. An ounce of this fine caviar will cost you about $100.00.
- Kaluga Sturgeon – Not only is this one of the most expensive caviars, it comes from one of the largest freshwater fish in the world the Huso Dauricus(Kaluga) sturgeon. Coming from Russia and China this mild, buttery tasting caviar is $180.00 an ounce.
- Iranian Sevruga 000 Malossol – A product of Iran, this expensive caviar is harvested from the Sevruga sturgeon, which is found in the Caspian and Black Seas. A popular choice for airlines and cruise ships for the price of over $200.00 per ounce.