Holiday Ayo -   What is Caviar? Caviar is without a doubt the most luxurious and exclusive food known to man. The Persians are the first group of people known to regularly consume sturgeon eggs, hence the name which comes from the Persian word which literally translates as a generator”. They believed this delicious delicacy would enhance the strength and endurance of anyone who ate it.

Even in ancient times, however, caviar was considered a luxury foodstuff reserved only for the elite. It disappeared from people’s tables during the Middle Ages only to reemerge in 12th Century Russia when fishermen and peasants began using it as a cheap source of protein. Their people had endured great poverty and as there were plenty of sturgeons at the time, caviar was easy to obtain.

Julius II, the “Warrior Pope”, was a notorious gourmand with a healthy appetite for sturgeon eggs. Besides being the patron of Michelangelo’s painting of the Sistine Chapel, Pope Julius II also introduced caviar to royal ceremonies across Europe, reaffirming its status as an exclusive, high-quality foodstuff. Around the same time, the famous Russian Czar Peter the Great also developed a passion for caviar and consumed it in great quantities.

Sadly, sturgeon eggs are so highly prized that the species itself is near extinction: white caviar, which comes from 100-year old albino fish, in particular, has become an extremely rare delicacy. Albino sturgeon are born without any of the natural dye melanin, a defect they pass on to their eggs.

The exclusivity and vast cost of caviar can seem a little intimidating at first but even a beginner can easily understand the main types of caviar, as well as look for the characteristics that make for a truly great dining experience.

While it’s true that caviar refers to fish eggs, most types are prepared before being suitable to eat either by lightly salting or curing them. The four main types of caviar are Almas, Beluga Osciétre and Sevruga. These all vary in size, color, and flavor. These differences, as well as the availability of each type of caviar, help determine their cost.

1- Almas the Diamond Caviar

Almas (meaning ‘diamond’) is the most expensive and exclusive type of caviar. It’s also the preferred type of the Ancient Greeks who imported it all the way from the area that’s now Crimea in Southern Ukraine. Specifically, the eggs are harvested from the albino beluga sturgeon, which is found only in the Caspian Sea. If you want to get your hands on some Almas, you’ll need to go to one of the very few select Caviar House & Prunier Stores, the only place in the world where it’s available for sale. The caviar itself comes in a metal container bathed in

The high cost can partly be explained by the rarity of albino sturgeons, who mainly live on the Iranian side of the Caspian Sea. The eggs are also only harvested from sturgeon over 100 years old. This gives them a spongier texture than those taken from younger fish. The caviar is then delicately salted to draw out Almas’ distinctive nutty, creamy taste.

Almas is usually served in a non-metallic dish, to avoid tainting its distinctive flavor. Often ice is placed at the base to keep the caviar at the correct temperature. Like most forms of caviar, Almas is typically served on toast, slices of bread, blinis, or crackers. Great care is taken to keep the eggs intact, which improves the taste.

2- Beluga Caviar

Beluga Caviar also comes from sturgeon in the Caspian Sea and is the next most expensive after Almas. Although more common than the albino variety, Beluga is still relatively rare and as such has served as a luxury treat for royal families over the centuries.

Beluga has the largest individual eggs of all caviar. Each orb can be as large as a pea and ranges in color from pale silver or gray to dark, black. The flavor is a balanced, buttery saltiness. lt is best enjoyed with minimal, simple accompaniments, such as on blini or triangles of toast.

3- Osciétre Caviar

Although Osciétre sturgeon are originally from the Caspian their dwindling numbers means that most these days are kept in farms, to ensure the production of high-quality caviar. 

And not only expensive and delicious, but Caviar also has many benefits for the body and health. Information from alodokter.com caviar has many good nutrients, here are the benefits of caviar :

1. Supports brain function and health
Omega 3 fatty acids, protein, and antioxidants play an important role in maintaining brain health and function. These nutrients are known to play a role in improving memory and concentration and preventing senility or dementia, especially in the elderly.

2. Maintain heart health
The potassium and protein content in caviar is useful for reducing triglycerides and increasing good cholesterol levels, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. But, excessive consumption of caviar is not good for health, because this food contains a lot of cholesterol

3. Maintain eye health
Caviar contains omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, and the antioxidant lutein which is good for eye health. Omega-3 and lutein deficiency are known to increase the risk of eye diseases, such as retinal disorders, macular degeneration, and dry eye syndrome.

4. Relieves inflammation
A study shows that the content of omega-3 fatty acids can relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, especially swelling in the joints. This benefit is due to the nature of omega-3 fatty acids that can reduce inflammation in the body.

5. Maintain bone health and strength
Caviar contains vitamin D, calcium, and protein which is quite high. These nutrients are types of nutrients that play an important role in supporting bone strength. With adequate vitamin D and calcium, you will avoid osteoporosis.