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Roe on a blini plating

The 7 Main Types of Caviar

Not all caviar is created equal. That’s because not all sturgeon – the species of fish where caviar comes from – are the same in size, availability, and overall quality.  There are many different types of caviar – some harder to attain than others – but here are some choices you’ll find around the world.

  1. Beluga
  2. Sterlet
  3. Kaluga Hybrid
  4. American Osetra
  5. Ossetra
  6. Siberian Sturgeon
  7. Sevruga

The 7 Main Types of Caviar Image Insspiration

The 7 types of caviar presented here do not represent all types of caviar, but by trying all 7 you will get a good sense of the range of flavor presented in all caviar. 

Beluga caviar on the back of a woman's hand
Photo Source: YouTube Screenshot

Beluga 

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Size – 5

Color – Light grey to black

Flavor – Buttery, creamy, nutty

Aftertaste – Strong

Beluga Caviar

  • Taste: Buttery, Creamy, and Nutty
  • Color: Light Grey to Black
  • Texture: Silky, disintegrates easily on the tongue 
  • Description: Beluga caviar is the most luxurious and highly-saught after caviar in the world. Beluga is the largest and only carnivorous species of sturgeon, and it also produces that largest eggs. Female beluga sturgeon can live over 110 years old and don’t mature until about 20 years of age, making their eggs all the more valuable. They are highly vulnerable to extinction but with the help of sturgeon farms, the future looks bright!
  • Serving style: The best way to enjoy the beloved Beluga caviar is alone, on a Mother of Pearl spoon or gently off the back of the hand, between the index finger and thumb. 
Sterlet roe on a pink plate
Photo Source: Pexels.com

Sterlet

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Size – 1 – no larger than 0.5-1mm in diameter

Color – Light to a dark silvery grey

Flavor – Buttery, sweet, nutty

Aftertaste – Mild

Sterlet Caviar

  • Taste: Buttery, sweet, nutty
  • Color: Light to a dark silvery grey
  • Texture: Smooth, velvety, lingering buttery finish
  • Description: Sterlet is a small species of sturgeon, never quite reaching above forty pounds in weight. Its eggs are also very tiny – you won’t be able to feel their separation in your mouth nor will you ever experience the eggs “pop”. A common substitute for Sevruga caviar, Sterlet caviar differentiates itself with its distinct egg size and smooth, buttery texture. 
  • Serving style: The best way to enjoy Sterlet caviar is alone, on a Mother of Pearl spoon or gently off the back of the hand, between the index finger and thumb. 
Kaluga Hybrid in golden tin
Photo Source: YouTube Screenshot

Kaluga Hybrid

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Size – 5

Color – Dark amber with flecks of jade 

Flavor – Mild, creamy, nutty, earthy

Aftertaste – Pleasant 

Kaluga Caviar

  • Taste: Mild, creamy, nutty, earthy
  • Color: Dark amber with flecks of jade 
  • Texture: Smooth, firm beads 
  • Description: Kaluga is frequently used as a substitute for beluga caviar due to their similarities in taste and size. Kaluga caviar has a crisp and distinctly nutty flavor that bursts on your taste buds and melts slowly. Because they are considered “critically endangered”, sustainably farmed Kaluga sturgeon allow this fine delicacy to be enjoyed safely.
  • Serving style: The best way to enjoy Kaluga Hybrid caviar is alone, on a Mother of Pearl spoon or gently off the back of the hand, between the index finger and thumb. 
American Osetra Caviar on a Seashell
Photo Source: Pexels.com

American Osetra 

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Size – 4

Color – Deep brown to golden yellow

Flavor – Nutty, briny, bright

Aftertaste – Smooth

American Osetra Caviar

  • Taste: Nutty, briny, bright
  • Color: Black, deep brown, to golden yellow and white
  • Texture: Firm
  • Description: American Osetra caviar is extremely versatile and popular worldwide. Its large beads present a pleasing texture and distinct “pop” when releasing a buttery and distinctly nutty velvet stream of flavor onto the tongue. American Osetra sturgeon is now sustainably raised and farmed to protect the species from overfishing. 
  • Serving style: The best way to enjoy American Osetra caviar is alone, on a Mother of Pearl spoon or gently off the back of the hand, between the index finger and thumb. 
Ossetra Caviar in a golden tin
Photo Source: YouTube Screenshot

Ossetra 

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Size – 3-4

Color – Black, amber, to gold

Flavor – Nutty, sea salt

Aftertaste – Pleasant and lingering

Ossetra Caviar

  • Taste: Nutty, sea salt
  • Color: Black, amber, to gold
  • Texture: Medium firm
  • Description: Ossetra caviar is known for its color versatility, ranging from black to a yellowy gold. The color is naturally occurring, unpredictable, and attributed to the uniqueness of this specific type of sturgeon. The delicate bend of this caviar paired with its distinct nuttiness promises to please even the most particular caviar aficionado. 
  • Serving style: The best way to enjoy Ossetra caviar is alone, on a Mother of Pearl spoon or gently off the back of the hand, between the index finger and thumb. 
Siberian Sturgeon caviar in glass container
Photo Source: YouTube Screenshot

Siberian Sturgeon 

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Size – 3

Color – Jet black

Flavor – Earthy, buttery, sea salt, bold

Aftertaste – Strong and lingering

Siberian Sturgeon caviar

  • Taste: Earthy, buttery, sea salt, bold
  • Color: Jet black
  • Texture: Firm
  • Description: Siberian Sturgeon caviar is said to be best for those who are experienced in enjoying caviar due to its bold and strong flavor. Boasting a distinct “pop” and distinct color, Siberian Sturgeon caviar is both a delicacy and an experience. Take a journey through flavors of land and sea with this caviar.
  • Serving style: The best way to enjoy Siberian Sturgeon caviar is alone, on a Mother of Pearl spoon or gently off the back of the hand, between the index finger and thumb. 
Beads of sevruga caviar on salt
Photo Source: Pexels.com

Sevruga

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Size – 1-3

Color – Light to dark grey

Flavor – Powerful, nutty, crisp, sea salt

Aftertaste – Smooth and lasting

Sevruga caviar

  • Taste: Powerful, nutty, crisp, sea salt
  • Color: Light to dark grey
  • Texture: Firm, crunchy
  • Description: Sevruga caviar is marked by its pronounced flavor and bold, lasting finish on the palate. With a unique “crunch” and buttery texture, Sevruga caviar pleasantly surprises with the most powerful flavor of caviars. If you’re feeling adventurous, Sevruga caviar will not disappoint. 
  • Serving style: The best way to enjoy Siberian Sturgeon caviar is alone, on a Mother of Pearl spoon or gently off the back of the hand, between the index finger and thumb. 

If you want to learn even more about caviar, read this article about grades and rating!

 

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