osetrova caviar

Osetra caviar refers to the eggs, or roe, of a specific type of sturgeon, often Acipenser gueldenstaedtii, found in the Caspian Sea. It is characterized by its golden to brownish color and somewhat smaller eggs compared to beluga caviar, typically possessing a nutty flavor.1

True caviar, including osetra, is made from sturgeon roe preserved with salt, a process that enhances flavor and acts as a preservative. While Russia and Iran are primary producers, sourcing from the Caspian and Black Seas, the rarity and declining sturgeon populations have made caviar a scarce and expensive food item. Lesser grades of caviar can also come from other fish, sometimes dyed to resemble sturgeon eggs.23