image via wikipedia

The market of Beluga Caviar is intense. This is the most sought after and prized morsel in the world. Unfortunately it is also well known that the demand for this roe heavily outstrips the supply. The reason most often given for this occurrence is over fishing and pollution where the Beluga naturally live.

What used to be the largest market for beluga caviar, America, has placed a ban on the importation of the Iran variety since 2008. This was not done because of concerns for the fish or the way the roe was harvested, but purely for political reasons.

There still is Beluga caviar from Russia along with the other countries that border the Caspian and Black Seas available to the global market. The production of Russian beluga caviar was supposed to end in 2007, but loop holes remain in place so a certain amount can be sold. Some of the prices for this morsel can reach up to $25,000 a kilo. This price is driven by its rarity with an estimated 100 beluga fish are captured in the wild each year for the harvesting of their roe.

As most connoisseurs know, the beluga caviar is packed in a blue tin. This is distinctive from the red tins in which Osetra caviar is sold and the yellow which the Sevruga is packed in. This makes it extremely easy to know what you are about to enjoy with just a glance. These colors cover the top of the tins. If there is a combination of colors, the roe inside is not from a wild sturgeon caught in the Caspian Sea.

Because of the lack of supply, there are many imitations and inferior beluga caviar on the market that are attempting to exploit the demand for this highly sought after product. To avoid being taken, make sure you do your homework on any place you decide to make a purchase.

The US law on this product states the type of roe and the place of it origin must be clearly labeled on the tin. If the roe is from a wild sturgeon, it does not need to be stated. If the roe is from a fish farm, it does have to be labeled as such. Many of these that are farmed have both blue and red on the tins for an easy distinction between them and the wild variety.

Luxury Food: The Beluga Caviar

The most expensive caviar, in turn, is what they call the Beluga Caviar, which sometimes costs up to $10000 per kilogram.

Publish Date: 10/11/2011 2:10

http://6starliving.com/luxury-food-the-beluga-caviar/

If you are looking for the market of Beluga Caviar, the best place to find fresh and real tins is in the Mediterranean area and in the many Arab states. They have fewer restrictions and openly sell Iranian beluga caviar. Just be ready to pay a hefty price for it.

sturgeon farmed for caviar harvesting in Spain

Russian sturgeon the source for russian caviar like beluga and osetra is an endangered species. A gourmet chef takes you on a tour to Spain were sturgeon is farmed for harvesting caviar in a sustainable way.

Related articles

• Beluga Sturgeon Caviar (gourmetfoodblog.org)
• Why Russian Caviar is Favored (gourmetfoodblog.org)
• The Gourmet Food Blog (gourmetfoodblog.org)

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