Ossetra caviar is one of the highest-end types of caviar available in the United States, and it's an excellent alternative to the coveted Beluga caviar. Let's explore the origins and flavors of this decadent treat.
The History of Ossetra Caviar
Caviar consumption goes back as far as the ancient Persian Empire, where it was known as a delicacy. For many centuries after, it became a snack for Eastern European fishermen and, even later, American cowboys drinking at saloons. However, at the start of the 20th century, it regained its ancient reputation as a delightful luxury food.
Like Beluga caviar, Ossetra caviar was prized by Russian nobles. They frequently enjoyed it alongside chilled vodka, which they used as a chaser to cleanse the palate between bites. During the Bolshevik Revolution, the aristocracy fled to other countries like France — and they brought their love of caviar with them.
Since then, Ossetra caviar has maintained its elevated status. It's one of the highest varieties of caviar, second only to the coveted Beluga caviar.
What Fish Is Ossetra Caviar From?
Ossetra caviar comes from a fish commonly known as the Russian sturgeon. Its scientific name is Acipenser gueldenstaedtii.
Russian sturgeons are prehistoric fish that can live for decades and reproduce multiple times. This species is a bottom-feeder that typically eats mollusks, crustaceans, and small fish.
Like the prized Beluga sturgeon, Russian sturgeons are an endangered species. However, Ossetra caviar is easy to get in the U.S., while the import of Beluga products was banned in 2005. That's because Russian sturgeon raised for caviar are typically found in aquaculture environments where they are farmed using sustainable methods.
What Does Ossetra Caviar Taste Like?
Ossetra caviar's flavor is bold, nutty, and reminiscent of walnuts, with a lightly briny finish that lingers on the tongue. Its complex aroma can range from earthy and deep to a light sea breeze.
That said, no two tins of Ossetra caviar are the same. A Russian sturgeon's roe will change slightly in flavor and appearance based on what the fish eats and the type of water it lives in, so it's important for producers to raise their fish in the best possible conditions.
Some of the best flavor pairings for Ossetra caviar include:
- Traditional hors d'oeuvres: French Blinis, or mini pancakes, garnished with crème fraîche, microgreens, and a tiny squirt of lemon juice is a traditional accompaniment for a spoonful of caviar. You can also pair your caviar with toast points.
- Beverages: Chilled plain vodka, dry Champagne, and crisp white wine or rosé are all delicious pairings for caviar because they serve as palate cleansers.
- Modern twists: Social media users have recently popularized more creative caviar food pairings, such as chocolate, Doritos, charcuterie, and pasta. If you love caviar, you can try many different pairings to find your favorite.
How Is Ossetra Caviar Harvested?
Although many producers use traditional methods to harvest Ossetra caviar, others have adopted more modern techniques. Here's a quick explanation of the caviar harvesting methods in use today.
1. Traditional Technique
The traditional method of harvesting caviar involves killing the sturgeon to gain access to its roe, and it follows this process:
- Identifying mature sturgeons: Workers catch a female sturgeon and check its eggs using an ultrasound. If the eggs are the correct size and age, the sturgeon will go into ice-cold water to slow its movements and render it unconscious.
- Preparing the sturgeon: Once the fish is unconscious, the workers will kill it and wash its insides with purified water.
- Making the incision: Workers make an incision along the fish's belly to access the roe sacs. This process takes place immediately after washing, as the fish can release a chemical after death that will harm the eggs if left for too long.
- Harvesting the roe: The eggs are removed and screened with a sieve to separate them from the membrane of the roe sac. The rest of the fish is set aside for meat and other byproducts.
- Cleaning and curing: Finally, the roe is gently washed and filtered before being cured with salt and going on to grading.
2. Humane Techniques
Humane harvesting is typically more difficult than the traditional method since the team needs to minimize damage to the sturgeon. Surgical precision is critical for harvesting the eggs safely and efficiently.
Here's what humane harvesting usually looks like:
- Preparing the sturgeon: When the female sturgeon is ready to lay her eggs, she is injected with a hormone that separates the roe from the sac membrane and makes them easier to extract.
- Washing and harvesting: The fish is washed in purified water, and the eggs are harvested via C-section or a massage technique reminiscent of milking a cow.
- Rinsing: Eggs collected using the milking method must be rinsed in a water-calcium solution to ensure they keep their shape and texture.
Like in the traditional method, the caviar is cured after no-kill harvesting and sent to graders for weighing and grading.
Breaking Down Ossetra Caviar's Cost and Quality
At around $100 for a single ounce, you might wonder why Ossetra caviar is worth so much. Some of the main factors contributing to the price of Ossetra caviar include:
- Long reproductive age: Russian sturgeon females cannot produce caviar until they reach sexual maturity, around 10-16 years of age. This waiting period ensures the caviar will be of the highest quality when harvested.
- Grade: While grade language varies by company, Ossetra caviar is graded based on uniformity of size and color, texture, and aroma. Royal or Imperial Ossetra caviar is mostly uniform, with a consistently golden color and firm texture. While regular Ossetra caviar is less uniform in appearance, it can still be as delicious as its higher-grade counterpart.
- Labor and expertise: Harvesting caviar requires a steady hand and years of experience. After harvesting and curing, highly trained professionals must weigh and grade the caviar before it can go to market.
With caviar, what you pay is often what you get. You need to ensure you choose high-quality caviar from a reliable brand like Petrusco Caviar, as that can help you ensure the best taste.
Enjoy Premium Ossetra Caviar From Petrusco Caviar
Learning more about this decadent treat might have you wondering where to buy Ossetra caviar for yourself. Petrusco Caviar is your source of delicious caviar and other fine foods, such as rich cheeses and A5 Wagyu steaks.
We use eggs from only the best sturgeon, harvested using sustainable methods that result in the highest-quality caviar. We also offer free overnight shipping to ensure your purchase is fresh and ready for eating.
Order a tin of our Royal Ossetra or Ossetra Reserve caviar to taste this delicacy for yourself!