Caviar (aka black gold) is a special type of roe that comes uniquely from fish of the sturgeon family, also known as the Acipenseridae family. Even though there are 27 species of sturgeon, the most dominant premium-quality variations available currently on the market are: Beluga , Osietra, Kaluga, Imperial, and Siberian.
The name originated in the 16th century A.D in the Iranian language, and it was initially called khavyar or khaviyar and meant “cake of strength.” The demand for premium caviar has always been higher in the market than the supply, which has triggered people to start consuming eggs from different fish varieties and have incorrectly attributed the same name. However, as we have already mentioned, if the fish egg comes from any species other than Strugeon, it will always be considered as roe.
Caviar color varies from species to species, and sometimes can give us an indication of exactly which species it comes from. Black caviar is usually the premium-quality product that comes from the sturgeon fish, including Beluga, Kaluga, and Sterlet. While Imperial is characterized by golden hues, it can vary from light brown to amber. You may also come across pale variations that are mostly associated with white sturgeon.
When it refers to roe from different fish, you can come across various color variations. There is usually a difference in terms of the size of the roe; however, mostly it is almost impossible to distinguish the roe by species. For instance, Arctic Char’s roe is characterised by a bright yellow-gold color, while Keta Salmon’s roe can range from vibrant orange to pink.
How you should eat caviar depends highly on its quality and your preferences. Some people prefer eating it with other accompaniments, while for others, the authentic taste might be more preferable.
If it is high-quality and you would like to fully appreciate its taste, it may be the best option to eat it with a spoon, in small bites, without any accompaniments. In some instances, a small amount of crème fraîche may also give you the opportunity to fully appreciate the taste, as it does not overpower the original taste.
It is noteworthy that the material of the spoon is important to make sure that it doesn’t compromise the taste. A metal spoon is not advisable as it usually alters the taste. However, there are many better options, such as spoons made of horn, bone, and mother-of-pearl that give you the chance to get the best out of the original flavor.
Some people prefer to pair caviar with other foods. However, while serving it with accompaniments, the golden rule is to choose the food that will complement the flavour but will not overpower it. The texture and flavour of the eggs should be highlighted in every bite.
The accompaniments, such as pancakes (Russian blinis), toast points, chips, and crackers, can be good options if you would like to pair roe with something else. Furthermore, these accompaniments do not have distinct tastes and will consequently bring out the flavour of your Black Gold.
Caviar, as well as different types of roes (such as Salmon), provide a lot of health benefits. They are a good source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, Choline, and many vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, Zinc, Magnesium, Iron, and Selenium. Hence, it is a perfect dose of vitamins and minerals that you can get.
For pregnant women, pasteurized variations are generally considered safe; however, moderation is the key. Most types of roe can contain a small amount of mercury, which is not beneficial for pregnant women in high doses. Which is why eating in moderation is crucial for pregnant women. It is noteworthy that roe that comes from the small fish usually contains much less mercury.
Another aspect that is crucial for pregnant women is whether it is pasteurized or non-pasteurized. Raw or unpasteurized caviar can be contaminated with a bacterium called Listeria that can cause health issues in pregnant women. To reiterate, pasteurized roe in moderation is generally considered safe for pregnant women.
Centurion is one of the best caviar providers as it provides multiple advantages: