Are you curious about learning more about caviar? Caviar is one of the world’s most costly food items. Its selling cost is up to $35,000 per kilogram. If you want to learn more, so don’t wait for any further, and let’s get straight into the article.
What is caviar?
Caviar was initially collected from the Caspian Sea by both Russian and Persian fishermen. It is fish eggs or roe of a particular female fish species of sturgeon. Presently, there are over 26 sturgeon varieties that lay different caviar colors and flavors. And apparently, all of these 26 species of sturgeon are used by the marketers for caviar.
Guinness World Records
The most expensive of all caviar, and indeed the most expensive food in the world, is ‘Almas.’ It is the eggs of an Iranian Beluga fish, and a kg of the ‘black gold’ priced at £20,000. But, that’s not it, there are plenty of other caviars available in the market at an equally expensive cost. Let’s learn a little more facts about caviar.
Some facts about caviar:
- Color, taste, texture
The best, most expensive caviars are old, light-colored, and large-sized eggs. The caviar of poor quality is smaller, with less strong fish flavor, and is mostly darker in color. However, choosing the cheaper ones is the best for caviar newcomers as it is mild.
- Caviar lasts longer than one day
It is technically cured fish, and it has a good shelf-life even after you open the can. Storing it in the coldest part of the refrigerator is the best way to keep it fresh for as long as a month.
- Caviar isn’t as costly as you think
Yeah, sure it isn’t cheap, but its prices have fallen in the last few years. Because of the advances in aquaculture, the sturgeons are farmed and made more accessible and affordable for the people.
- Most expensive caviar
The most expensive caviar ever sold in the market is beluga caviar. The one kilo of this caviar sold for $35,000.
- Caviar can be sustainable
Sturgeon was overfished almost to extinction in the early 1900s. The only way it is still available for the people is because of the fish farming activities. Many governments have made it illegal to fish the sturgeons to repair and rebuild their population wildly.
- Not a delicacy to eat alone anymore
Caviar is put up on several dishes as a garnish to make then even more exciting. Some of these dishes are pancakes, pizza, burgers, and even ice creams.
Health benefits of caviar
Not only is caviar a delicious culinary experience, but it has quite many health benefits for the consumers. Some of these health benefits are:
- Omega Source 3 Fatty Acids
- Caviar is selenium-high
- Caviar has a High B12 vitamin
- Caviar provides mental health benefits
- Caviar will make reproductive health better
No-kill caviar technique
But a new technique of getting a female sturgeon’s mature eggs — without killing or even cutting the fish open — made caviar more accessible and affordable for everyone.
In nine years, Angela Kohler, the German scientist, developed the latest method, “no-kill caviar,” to protect the endangered species.She often referred to marketers that “cruelty-free caviar” and “right caviar” might minimize the demand for caviar in the black market and save endangered wild sturgeon from being hunted to extinction.
Kohler invented a method of massaging the sturgeon’s eggs to achieve her aim to make the caviar industry something more similar to commercial poultry, eggs, or milk processing.
How does it work?
First, the fish undergoes an ultrasound to check the growth of the eggs. Then, the fishes are treated with protein to prepare the eggs for harvest action and to induce labor. The fishes go under massage therapy to bring out the eggs. It is the only way a sturgeon can be harvested multiple times during their lifespan of about 60 to 120 years. The harvested eggs are then placed in a solution of calcium-water to prepare them for salting and are later packed for consumption.