Iranian Caviar; what Iran is known for

Sunday, 01 May 2022 18:42 [ Last Update: Monday, 31 July 2023 09:33 ]

Iran (IP)- Iranian Caviar is one of the most expensive foods in the world and also one of the most delicious and nutritious foods in the world.

Iran Press/ Iran News: The Caspian Sea is home to a variety of fish and aquatic creatures, however, it is mostly known for caviar. More than 90% of the world’s caviar is obtained from the Caspian Sea. It is also considered a precious souvenir from Iran.

When it comes to Iranian exports, a few things come to mind: oil, rugs, pistachios, and caviar. With the finest sturgeon coming from the waters of the Caspian Sea, caviar is one of the country’s main exports.

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Caviar History

From the Persian word khâviyâr, caviar refers to the roe from wild sturgeon, and the earliest records date back to the 4th century B.C. It is said that the people of the Persian Empire were the first to taste caviar, believing it had medicinal properties and was a source of energy (a widely-held belief still today).

It also made an appearance during the Roman Empire, but the heaviest consumers of caviar were arguably the czars of old Russia. It’s perhaps for this reason that even though the Persians are credited with preparing caviar by salting the roe, it was the Russians who defined it as a luxury.

Iranian Caviar varieties

Persian Caviar comes from the Northern provinces of Iran, including Gilan, Mazandaran, and Golestan.

Beluga

Arguably the most desirable caviar type on the planet, the Caspian Sea is home to the massive yet elusive Beluga – also known as the Huso Huso Sturgeon. The species is heavily endangered and difficult to farm-raise, making it that much more coveted.

OSSETRA

It might be a slight step down from the legendary Beluga, but Iranian Ossetra caviar is still something to behold. The product originates from the species Acipenser Gueldenstaedtii, better known as the Diamond sturgeon, Russian sturgeon, or Danube sturgeon.

SEVRUGA

Coming from the Sevruga sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus), the luxurious Sevruga caviar is considered on-par with Osetra caviar in terms of flavor, but isn’t as costly to produce or obtain.

ALMAS

A subsection of Beluga caviar, Almas is a golden type of caviar from the rare albino sturgeon aged between 60 and 100 years old.

By far the most expensive caviar on the planet, it fetches an average price of $25,000 per kilogram! It’s no wonder that the term Almas means “diamond” in Russian.

Iranian caviar is marked by its ancient and seductive qualities, with tastes and aromas that one simply cannot find anywhere else, it is quite accurately described as the stuff of dreams, the result of a marriage between the sublime Caspian Sea and the prehistoric sturgeon.

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Iranian Caviar health benefits

Caviar is rich in vitamins and minerals such as omega 3, vitamins A, E, B6, Iron, Magnesium and Selenium.

Because of its rich nutrition, Iranian Caviar helps to boost the immune system, prevent cancer and decrease the risk of heart diseases!

The vitamin A present in caviar is also good for improving your eyesight.

Harvest of Iranian Caviar

In the past, sturgeon were intoxicated with a rubber mallet to protect them from moving their tail. They then emptied the caviar and sold the meat. However, today, due to the dwindling number of these fish, the eggs are removed from the fish belly through the cesarean operation method, and some of the eggs are left in the fish belly for later spawning.

Harvesting precious Caviar in gorgeous waters of Caspian Sea

The fish are then quarantined in special pools for three months, after which they are marked and returned to the sea. This process can be done up to six times for each fish.

Extracting Caviar eggs from Sturgeon fish

Iranian caviar is arguably the best on the planet thanks to the unique conditions of the southern Caspian Sea.

Serving Iranian Caviar

Whether pasteurized or fresh, caviar should always be chilled when served. Caviar should be served and eaten in amounts smaller than a tablespoon.

Beluga caviar is usually served by itself on toast. Silver can react to caviar and leave a poor metal taste in your mouth, as this is a commonly used metal in silverware, that’s why traditionally caviar is not served with any kind of metal spoon. Caviar spoons are usually made of pearl or bone. They are usually about three to five inches long with an oar-like shape. Some caviar spoons can be quite ornate.