Sitting at an extraordinarily fancy restaurant, you think of ordering a luxury dish and the next thing you think is, “Why don’t I just ask for a caviar delicacy?” Yes, it is surprisingly the most luxurious item in the culinary world and probably, one of the most expensive. Often referred to as ‘black gold’ caviar is loved by the rich and the elite all around the globe. But what exactly is caviar? Is it even nutritious? Where does it come from?
Most Expensive Caviar in the World
We are here to tell you everything you need to know about caviar. But before that, let’s look at some of the most expensive caviar in the world.
What is Caviar?
Simply put, caviar comes from the roe (eggs) of the sturgeon fish. The sturgeon is an ancient fish known to have existed since the time of dinosaurs. The unfertilized roe of some popular varieties of sturgeon fish are salt-cured to form this luxury delicacy called caviar. After careful extraction from the fish, these ‘eggs’ are cured with salt to give the signature flavor and texture and thus form the outrageously expensive delicacy. The delicate eggs provide a uniquely indulgent experience reserved only for the most special occasions.
Surprisingly, no two caviars taste identical! This characteristic makes this luxury gourmet food item even more exquisite. Besides, caviar is one of the most expensive food items in the world. So here are the top 10 most expensive caviar in the world that not only have distinct tastes, textures, and appearances but also cost different from each other. Still, these cost staggeringly high making them an ultra-opulent garnish for your meal!
World’s Most Expensive Caviar – Top 10
1) Strottarga Bianco
Price: approx. $113,630 per kg
Also known as “white gold”, Strottarga Bianco is the most expensive caviar in the world by far. This ultra-rare caviar is derived from the Siberian Albino Sturgeon on a tiny farm in Salzburg, Austria by a father-son duo by the name of Walter Grüll. It is harvested in a decade-long cultivation period and after production, the roe is mixed with 22-karat gold flakes to give the finishing touches. A staggering price of around $27,000 for a teaspoon makes this “white gold caviar” cost more than a Porsche 911!
This literal treasure in the form of a delicacy has an outstanding cost of approx. $113,630 per kg because of its scarcity, purity, and the mixed gold content. Its hefty price tag is justified because of the fact that for every 5 kgs of roe extracted, just 1 kg of finished caviar is obtained. It has a rich and creamy taste with a nutty texture and the flavors remind you of the fresh fish from the pollution-free Austrian waters.
2) Almas Caviar
Price: approx. $34,000 per kg
This Iranian Caviar is one of the most expensive foods in the world. Almas Caviar is obtained from the Albino Iranian Beluga Sturgeon also called the Iranian Beluga. This rare sturgeon in the 60-100 age range is found in the South Caspian Sea. It is ‘rare’ because of its unique traits – one, it is an endangered species; two, it needs to be in the specific age range to harvest the roe; and three, it should have the genetic albino disorder which is again found in the rarest of this scarce species.
Almas Caviar is one of the most exclusive caviar, making it a precious gem in the culinary world. The ‘white caviar’ is delicately yellowish in hue and has a creamy flavor with a nutty texture. It doesn’t have a strong fishy or salty taste to it because of the highly aged beluga. It is even significant in size thanks to the beluga eggs being the biggest in the world of caviars. Besides, the premium Almas Caviar is sold in a $1,250 pure 24-karat gold tin which adds to its opulence.
3) Special Reserve Kaluga Huso Hybrid Caviar
Price: approx. $16,000 per kg
Kaluga Huso is one of the largest freshwater fish to ever exist. Its caviar is formed by the natural blend of the two giant sturgeons native to the Amur River – Huso Dauricus and Acipenser Schrenckii Sturgeon. The natural hybrid of these two gives birth to what is known as River Beluga and these are home to the Special Reserve Kaluga Huso Hybrid Caviar which looks like one-of-a-kind amber-colored pearls.
Kaluga Huso Hybrid Caviar is one of the smoothest caviar in the world owing to its firm yet creamy and velvety texture. The flavor is quite earthy yet buttery giving it a well-balanced taste. This hybrid caviar is a rare occurrence due to its scarcity but is a great alternative if you are fond of the nearly extinct Beluga caviar. It is priced somewhere around $16,000 per kg.
4) Gold Imperial Russian Osetra Caviar
Price: approx. $9000 per kg
The fish that laid the golden eggs! Yes, this is the rarest and most admired golden caviar that has a fascinating legacy. The Russian Osetra Caviar comes from the Caspian Osetra which is one of the prehistoric species of fish that has survived to date without any physical changes. It is said that when the most pristine fish in the caviar kingdom laid golden eggs, they were reserved for the emperor or the ‘Tsar’. This makes it one of the most exclusive caviar in the world.
In the modern day, Gold Imperial Russian Osetra Caviar is farmed in Russia and what makes it stand apart is the appearance – the eggs are distinctively large with a golden-yellow hue. However, the color often varies between dark brown and black, it is the taste and texture of the caviar that has stood the test of time proving its quality. It has a smooth and creamy texture with a nutty flavor making its place among the world’s most desired delicacies.
5) Beluga Hybrid Caviar
Price: approx. $9,000 per kg
The Hybrid Beluga caviar is produced by creating a hybrid between the Beluga Sturgeon and the Siberian Sturgeon. It is one of the most favorite caviars amongst the fans because of its unique flavors. It is a more accessible option than the traditional Beluga caviar and has gained popularity owing to the limited import of the pure Beluga. Besides, the import of Beluga Sturgeon is illegal in some US countries making the hybrid caviar an easier alternative than the pure one.
Beluga Hybrid Caviar has distinctly petite eggs in an ebony-colored hue. They have an earthy profile and a gentler texture with firm pearls. The flavor is rich and savory with a nutty taste and a buttery smooth finish which is much milder than the traditional Beluga caviar. It is available at a hefty price tag of around $9,000 per kg.
6) Russian Volga Reserve Osetra Caviar
Price: approx. $6000 per kg
The Russian Volga Reserve Osetra caviar is one of the most expensive caviar in the world because of the age of the sturgeon it is sourced from. Contrary to most caviar types that are extracted from 10-year-old fish, this one is extracted from the Osetra sturgeon aged 35 years or above. The roe from this matured sturgeon has ingredients that make its caviar an intriguing culinary delight.
The Russian Volga Reserve Osetra caviar is a distinct seasonal delicacy which gives it a high price. Specimens of the Osetra sturgeon aged 35 years or older are quite rare which makes this caviar a premium product available in limited quantities. Speaking of appearance, the pearls have a unique blend of a salty and creamy texture. The flavors are rich and briny with a deep, milky finish. It costs about $9,000 per kg.
7) Osetra Karat Gold Caviar
Price: approx. $6000 per kg
Osetra Karat Gold Caviar is a premium caviar known for its beautiful and well-flavored golden eggs. A luxe addition to any gourmet dish, this caviar is produced from purebred Osetra sturgeon in Israel. This species is found in the clear waters of the river Jordan which is made from the snow melted down from Mount Hermon.
At a cost of approx. $6000 per kg., Osetra Karat Gold Caviar has some strikingly large eggs that are a feast to your plate. These are shiny golden-colored eggs with flecks of amber adding to the texture. The caviar has a creamy finish and a slightly nutty flavor.
8) Pure Beluga Caviar
Price: approx. $5000 per kg
One of the most traditional caviar types to ever exist is the Pure Beluga Caviar, commonly called Beluga Caviar. It is sourced and harvested from the Beluga sturgeon which is a highly rare and scarce species. Depending on the origin and quality of the roe, the price point of the caviar keeps varying beginning at $5000 per kg. and going up to $10,000 per kg.
The most desirable form of caviar among its fans, the Pure Beluga Caviar has a lovely texture and flavor. From the point of view of appearance, it has large, soft eggs. The taste revolves around a smooth and buttery flavor and it has a rich finish making it a gourmet staple for the elite food connoisseurs. In recent times, the endangered status of the Beluga sturgeon has caused the caviar to be extremely expensive and increasingly scarce. Many countries around the world are even prohibiting the import of Beluga Caviar.
9) Sevruga Caviar
Price: approx. $3000-7000 per kg
The classic gray caviar is harvested from the young Sevruga sturgeon sourced from the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. This variety of caviar is farmed in the USA and sometimes in Iran too. The Iranian Sevruga Caviar is popularly called “the caviar of the princes” because of its distinct appearance and delicate flavors. It is also one of the highest-quality caviars in the world.
Sevruga Caviar has the signature pale gray pearls which are the reason for its fame. The small gray pearls are delicate yet juicy. The caviar has an intensely creamy and buttery flavor profile but its USP is the subtle aftertaste that lingers after consuming the luxury delicacy as an ultra-opulent garnish. Though it is one of the abundant types of caviar, the Sevruga Caviar is still sold at a hefty price point starting at about $3000 per kg owing to the lengthy roe harvest process it requires.
10) Sterlet Caviar
Price: approx. $3000-5000 per kg
Sterlet Caviar is a decently fancy food item that makes it to the list of the world’s most expensive caviar. It is harvested from the Sterlet Sturgeon species. As per the historic legacy, the Sterlet Caviar was reserved for the Russian royals including the emperors and the princes. Even in the modern world of caviars, this one is a symbol of class and luxury.
Unlike Beluga or Osetra, the caviar of the Sterlet Sturgeon has a unique appearance and taste. It has smaller eggs as compared to the former and is lighter in color in the hues of yellow and amber. Besides, it has a delicate texture and a somewhat sweet flavor making it an offbeat culinary delight.
Why is Caviar So Expensive?
Caviar comes from the roe of certain specific fish – the fanciest ones are from the Beluga, Osetra, Sevruga, and Sterlet species. These fish species have existed since the Age of Dinosaurs making them few of the most ancient. Besides, it is unpredictable whether the females will produce the eggs annually. Caviar sourced from these fish is hence one of the rarest yet the most sought-after dishes in the world.
Caviar is considered a luxury because of its extraordinary price point along with its scarcity and the intensive production process. A few factors contribute to the hefty price tag of these caviars:
- Rarity of the Species: The wildest of the sturgeon ideal for harvesting caviar has become endangered now. Several governments across the world have banned the production of caviar from these fish owing to their scarcity due to pollution, habitat loss, and more importantly, overfishing. This leads to limited availability of eggs resulting in the higher cost.
- Maturation Period: It can take anywhere around 10 to 35 years of age for a sturgeon to reach maturity. This lengthy period contributes to the scarcity of its eggs resulting in high prices.
- Production Process: The manual process of extracting roe from the sturgeon fish is quite painstaking and labor-intensive as it demands extreme care and patience. From raising the sturgeon in pristine conditions for several years to carefully cleaning and processing the extracted roe till the caviar is graded and packed with minimum loss and maximum quality – it is all art! Having experienced labor and expert processes to identify peak ripeness and delicately extract the eggs during the optimal window is what is responsible for the skyrocketed prices.
- Strict Quality Standards: Several factors such as harvesting, salt content, storage, etc. are taken into consideration for producing the highest-quality caviar to justify the price point. There are set quality control standards that strictly determine all these factors to ensure the taste and texture of the caviar is preserved. After harvesting, the eggs are sorted by size and color to separate top-tier caviar from others. It is made sure that these contain only 5% salt content at the maximum to preserve the brininess of the roe. Also, proper refrigeration is ensured to prevent temperature fluctuations from ruining the quality.
- Unique Taste and Texture: Did you know that no two caviars taste identical? Yes, this is a non-replicable characteristic that adds to the luxurious price point of the delicacy. It has a unique delicate taste and an unmatchable texture appreciated worldwide. Food connoisseurs have called it a multi-sensory experience as caviars have some savory umami bursts complemented by the indulgent texture. The pearls are smooth but they gently pop when bitten releasing a sweet, briny, and nutty flavor with marine undertones.
Is Caviar Healthy?
Caviars are a powerhouse of nutrition. They give you a 236% boost of your daily dose of vitamin B12. Besides, they have other nutritional content including proteins, minerals, omega-3s, selenium, iron, and much more. They are also an excellent source of fatty acids DHA and EPA. However, caviar should be consumed in moderation because of the high sodium content in it. The luxury delicacy is a great occasional delight though.
We have made a detailed video on everything about the World’s Most Expensive Caviar. Check it out here:
Wrapping Up the Most Expensive Caviar in the World
As we’ve journeyed through the rich and flavorful domain of the most expensive caviar in the world, it is clear that this delicacy is more than just a lavish treat. It is a symbol of tradition, opulence, and culinary art. Each glistening bead carries the weight of centuries-old expertise, delicate processes, and the mystique of nature’s finest luxury. From the silky pearls of Beluga to the golden allure of Almas, every variety tells a story of where taste meets sophistication. These treasures of the sea are reserved for the elite. Served with the simplicity of decadent garnishes, caviar continues to enchant food lovers worldwide, just as it has for generations.
But caviar isn’t only about extravagance. For many, even a single taste of the most expensive caviar in the world is a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Whether you’ve had the pleasure of experiencing this luxury or simply dream of it, one thing is certain—caviar is a timeless symbol of life’s extraordinary indulgences. So, the next time you encounter these luxurious pearls, take a moment to savor their unmatched legacy.
