Familiarity with different types of Iranian caviar
There are two families of sturgeon and jude that have black eggs suitable for caviar production. These two families include sturgeon and parrotfish. The sturgeon family consists of four genera, two of which are found in Iran as follows
Huso
Common Sturgeon (Acipenser)
It should be noted that the commercial activities of sturgeon species around the world are strictly controlled and limited, because the population of sturgeon species is greatly reduced and is close to extinction. Aquaculture has to some extent been able to help prevent the extinction of this valuable fish.
Sturgeon caviar
Sturgeon caviar is the most traditional type of caviar that consists of eggs taken from the sturgeon belly. In order to achieve the classic taste that caviar lovers know and love well, caviar is gently processed with 3-5% salt. This amount is considered ideal, because it not only enhances the natural flavors of caviar, but also increases its shelf life.
Caviar Sturgeon is traditionally eaten in small amounts on formal occasions or as an appetizer.
Beluga caviar
Beluga is the largest Huso sturgeon. Huso Huso is usually caviar when harvested 15% of its weight. Huso Huso matures until about 14-15 years old. And may live up to 150 years. Beluga has a rich taste, creamy and delicate texture. However, it is the rarity that makes it the most popular of the rest of the caviar. Large beluga eggs are dark to light gray in color.
Soruga caviar
Sevruga caviar is obtained from ozonebron (Acipenser stellatus). Population trends: Declining. Sevruga sturgeon is sponsored by CITES. Sevruga spends one more month of its adult life in brackish water and moves to fresh river water to spawn. The maximum registered age is 27 years. Females reach sexual maturity at the age of 7-8 years and lay eggs every 3-4 years. Males reach sexual maturity at the age of 6-7 years. Sevruga is native to the Caspian, Black and Aegan Seas. Its natural habitat is near the beach and sand and mud. Sevruga stays at the bottom of the sea during the day and rises to the surface for night feeding. The Sevruga sturgeon diet consists mainly of small fish, oysters, crustaceans and worms. These small sturgeons are usually under 50 pounds. Sevruga is light gray to black in color with a creamy texture and strong flavor. With a crisp texture and a sweet ocean flavor, which has medium and small grains.
Note: Sevruga caviar is traditionally classified according to size and color. The larger and lighter the seeds, the more valuable the caviar. Also, due to the limited availability of real Sevruga (Acipenser Stellatus) caviar obtained from Australia is incorrectly marketed as Sevruga or as a substitute. False labeling is illegal and a common practice.
Caviar Astra
Osetra, a rare golden caviar, is mostly obtained from the Russian sturgeon (Acipenser guldenstaedti). Although golden caviar is very valuable, the eggs of this species are often more brown. Caviar has a distinct and nutritious taste. Strong grains of medium size
Astra cucumber is amber brown to olive green or light golden and chestnut, as well as in black with silver veins.
Note: Russian Sturgeon Oyster caviar is graded with different sizes and colors. The larger the eggs, the lighter the color and the more valuable the caviar. Gold is a natural but unpredictable feature of the Russian Osetra. These variations and color variations are attributed to the uniqueness of these sturgeons and the reason why Russian ostriches are so popular with caviar experts.
Russian sturgeon, also known as sturgeon diamond, is listed as a seriously endangered species on the IUCN Red List and is fully protected by CITES. The natural population of Russian sturgeon has decreased by 90% in the last 45 years and is still declining.
Females reach sexual maturity at the age of 10 to 16 years, males at the age of 8 to 13 years. Adult females lay eggs every 4-6 years, with a lifespan of 38-48 years. Russian sturgeon are native to the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea, the Sea of ??Azov and their river basins. Natural habitats are shallow coastal and riverine areas in the sea and deep parts of large rivers with medium to fast flow. Russian sturgeon feed on a wide range of corm mussels, crustaceans and small fish.
Note: Shib and Qarabrun Persian sturgeon are also involved in the production of Astra caviar.
Australian caviar
This small caviar is sometimes mistaken for Sevruga. Australian caviar is dark gray to light gray, with small grains that have a mild, sweet flavor. Light gray to dark reddish in color, silver veins and soft, velvety texture.
Suggested Use: Sterliad is reminiscent of Sevruga caviar in color and taste, but the size of the eggs is much smaller and has a smoother, more velvety texture. Sterliad can also be suggested as an alternative to Sevruga caviar.
Note: Australian caviar is the most common alternative to Caspian value Sevruga. So be careful when you find ads for Golden Sevruga or Farmed Sevruga (species referred to as Acipenser Ruthenus). In contrast, Sevruga never produces golden colored eggs, so the advertised golden sevuga is more likely to be Australian. Also always pay attention to the size of the eggs – steriliad will not be larger than 0.5 to 1 mm in diameter while sevruga is able to produce eggs that are between 1.2-2 mm.
Sterliad – is the smallest sturgeon in the Caspian Sea basin. Sterling is the most common and abundant sturgeon in Western Europe. This is the natural habitat of freshwater rivers that flow into the Caspian and Black Seas. Sterliad is listed as vulnerable in the IUSN Red List of Endangered Species protected by CITES. Population trend – decreases. Sterliad is very valuable in terms of meat, so it has been overfished for decades and puts these species in danger of extinction. Females reach sexual maturity at the age of 4 to 12 years and males at the age of 3-7 years. Sterliad can live up to 22 years.
Siberian sturgeon caviar
Siberian caviar is not native to Iran and has been imported to Iran for many years.
Caviar color from dark brown to solid black pearls, medium-sized grains with rich and nutritious flavor
. It is usually recommended for newcomers due to its taste characteristics. This is a great choice to add variety to a caviar menu in a restaurant or retail store. Siberian sturgeon is a suitable alternative to Russian oyster and is the most abundant caviar in the markets of Europe, South America and our country. This is very popular with caviar experts and they can enjoy it alone or together.
Note: Often, caviar from Siberian sturgeon is mistakenly marketed as Osetra. The water and feed used in sturgeon farming will affect the taste of the final product, but this difference is very small and can also be attributed to natural changes during the cooking process.
Siberian sturgeon) is listed as an endangered species on the IUCN Red List and is protected by CITES. This species has experienced a 50 to 80% decline in population over the past 60 years. Adult females lay eggs every 3-5 years and males every 2-3 years. The lifespan of Siberian sturgeon is 25 to 30 years. This species is native to all Siberian rivers that live in the Kara, Lapte and Eastern Siberian seas and the basins of the Ob, Taz, Yenisei, Pyasina and other rivers.