All About Caviar - An Invitation to Travel 

In collaboration with Petrossian

Wild or farm-raised caviar, from Russia, Iran, France, Aquitaine, Gironde or California.... caviar can come from many countries. But caviar's character, like its name, comes solely from the species of sturgeon from which it is taken. Each caviar bears the name of a variety of sturgeon, either the common name (beluga, ossetra, sevruga) or the Latin name (Baeri, Transmontanus, Gueldenstaedtii).

Beluga – Huso huso
This majestic fish is the rarest. One of the largest fishes in the world, it commonly grows to 3 or 4 meters in length. The eggs can account for almost 25% of the female's weight. It lives in the Caspian, Black and Azov Seas as well as in the eastern part of the Mediterranean. The large soft grains range in color from light to dark gray and have a subtle and much-appreciated flavor.

• Grains: 3-4 mm, gray to jet black in color
• Fragile, large, smooth texture
• Delicate flavor, long in the mouth, smooth, buttery, almondy, etc. 

Ossetra  – Persicus
This is an anadromous fish that feeds on invertebrates and small fishes. The Persicus is distinguished by its black snout and provides a caviar ranging from dark amber to gold in color. The texture is firmer than beluga, with a briny taste. While found throughout the Caspian sea, it is found more commonly along the Iranian coast. Excellent ossetra is produced from farm-raised fish (Israel, China, Bulgaria, etc.).

• 2 - 3.5 mm grains ; dark amber to light honey in color
• Firm sensual texture; the grains roll in the mouth 
• Flavors of the sea, seafood, bitter orange, cashews... 

Ossetra – Gueldenstaedtii

The German cousin of the Persicus. It has the same size and identical grains. Commonly called "Russian sturgeon," and also present throughout the Caspian Sea, it is found more particularly near the coasts of Russia, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.

Sevruga - Stellatus
Sometimes known as "starry sturgeon," it is also anadromous. It is found in the Black, Azov and Caspian Seas. This long slender sturgeon can reach 1.5 meters in length. Its grains are medium size, in all shades of gray, from very pale to very dark. Sevruga is prized for the perfect balance of its flavor.

• 1.5 - 2.5 mm grains; black/gray color
• Soft texture
• Sustained briny taste, green walnuts, bitter orange, cashew notes