Caviar is the hallmark of a high-end dinner. Relished as a spread or garnish, it is an indulgence of the most affluent. In fact, these vitamin-filled cured fish eggs are almost never inexpensive – even grocery store tins bear a steep price tag for the quantity they sell.
Most Expensive Caviar in the World
Let’s explore the world of this delicacy and discover the most expensive caviar to look out for in 2024.
Strottarga Bianco – $113,630 per kilogram
The zenith of caviar extravagance, the Strottarga Bianco is harvested for a decade and mixed with 22-karat gold. It is rightfully dubbed as the “white gold of caviar”. This caviar is derived from the extremely rare fish, the Siberian Albino Sturgeon, from a tiny fish farm belonging to Walter Grüll and his son at Salzburg in Austria. It takes 5 kilograms of the roe to yield 1 kilogram of the finished product. So, the decade-long cultivation period, resource intensive production process and the gold finishing touches justify the $27,000 worth teaspoon of white gold caviar.
Besides the sheer exclusivity and opulence of the product, Grüll asserts that the health benefits add to the hefty price tag. He believes that the pollution-free Austrian waters and the immunity-boosting effects of the gold make his caviar stand out in the market. The Strottarga Bianco has a rich and creamy flavour-profile, with a distinct nutty and fresh fish taste.
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Almas Caviar – $34,000 per kilogram
The Almas Caviar is obtained from an albino Iranian Beluga in the South Caspian Sea. It was first discovered by the Iranians and later popularised by the Russians. In fact, Peter the Great was so fond of this caviar, that most of the South Caspian Sea was drained of the Beluga species. The scarcity of the Iranian Beluga transformed a commonplace snack into one of the most precious gems in the culinary world.
The stars truly have to align in order to make the Almas Caviar. Firstly, the Beluga Sturgeon is an endangered species. Secondly, the albino trait is a genetic disorder that affects a very small percentage of the already scarce species. Thirdly, the albino Beluga Sturgeon would need to be within the 60-100 age range.
While it is referred to as white caviar, it has hues of yellow and cream. Significant in size, beluga eggs are known to be among the biggest in the caviar kingdom. Like most premium caviar, it has a creamy and nutty flavour-profile. However, given the beluga’s age, its defining characteristic is the absence of a strong salty, fishy taste. The Almas Caviar is sold in a 24-karat gold tin, which is worth $1,250.
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Special Reserve Kaluga Huso Hybrid Caviar – $16,000 per kilogram
The Kaluga Huso Hybrid Caviar comes from the natural mixing of two fish native to the Amur River – the Huso Dauricus, which is the biggest freshwater fish in the world, and the Acipenser Schrenckii Sturgeon. The Kaula Huso Hybrid is firm but creamy and buttery with a lingering velvety finish. It is revered as one of the smoothest caviar by connoisseurs. They are large, with unique bright jade green and amber hues.
Given that it is a hybrid caviar, very few batches of this type exist. However, with the dearth of Beluga Sturgeons and its staggering price, Kaluga caviar is seen as the next best option.
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The Hybrid Beluga Caviar – $ 9,000 per kilogram
The Hybrid Beluga Caviar is created by combining the Beluga Sturgeon with the Siberian Sturgeon. With the coveted Beluga caviar being extremely expensive, and the Beluga Sturgeon being on the brink of extinction, this hybrid aims to offer caviar aficionados the rich flavour of Beluga caviar at a smaller cost.
Moreover, importing the Beluga Sturgeon is illegal in several countries including the United States of America – a hybrid caviar circumvents this hurdle because it is not pure Beluga. It is ebony-coloured, small in size and possesses a strong nutty and earthy profile. It is milder and more buttery than the traditional Beluga caviar.
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Golden Imperial Russian Osetra Caviar – $ 9,000 per kilogram
Hailing from Russia, the Golden Imperial Russian Osetra Caviar is obtained from the Caspian Osetra. The Caspian Osetra is one of the few prehistoric species that exist to this day without exhibiting any physical changes. So, it is one of the most pristine fish species in the caviar kingdom, as the popularity of its quality eggs have stood the test of time.
This species has a fascinating legacy – if a Caspian Osetra laid golden eggs, it was reserved for the Tsar himself. While the colour of the Osetra egg can vary from black to dark brown, the golden eggs are the rarest and the most admired of all. It has a creamy and nutty flavour profile with a smooth finish.
Caviar is truly the pinnacle of culinary luxury. Exploring the diversity of its flavour-profile would be an incredible experience worth investing in. Indulge your appreciation for the finer things in life by relishing this gourmet delight.
