In the world of luxury products, caviar plays a special role. However, many people do not know that not everything called “caviar” actually comes from sturgeon. In fact, imitation caviar that does not come from a sturgeon may not even legally carry the name “caviar.” Only the roe of the sturgeon is officially considered real caviar and not imitation.
This confusion can lead to disappointment: you think you’re tasting true luxury, but often you’re just getting colored fish roe. The result is a flat taste experience without the deep richness of real caviar, and with far fewer health benefits. If you want to buy caviar, you’ll want to be sure it is the real thing and not a cheaper imitation.
What exactly is caviar?
Many people think of real caviar as “black fish eggs,” but not every egg may be called caviar. Only the roe of the sturgeon is officially classified as caviar, which makes the product so unique and rare. Caviar is more than just luxury; it is an age-old delicacy with a rich history that dates back to the Persian and Russian aristocracy.
The origin of the sturgeon, the species, and the age of the fish determine the size, color, and flavor of the eggs. For example, Beluga sturgeon produces large, dark green pearls with a buttery, creamy flavor, while Oscietra caviar yields medium-sized, amber-colored eggs with nutty notes. These variations make every type of caviar a unique culinary experience.
In our blog post What exactly is caviar? we dive deeper into this subject: from the history of caviar to the different sturgeon species, their specific flavor profiles, and why real caviar is so valuable compared to imitation. This way, you’ll gain a complete picture of what caviar truly is and why buying authentic caviar delivers an unforgettable experience.
Imitation caviar: the trap for caviar lovers
Origin: Imitation caviar usually consists of colored fish roe from salmon, trout, cod, or herring. It does not come from a sturgeon and may not officially be called “caviar.”
Terminology: Sometimes you’ll find names such as “salmon caviar” or “trout caviar.” These are simply colored fish roe from those species; officially, they are not real caviar products.
Flavor: Real caviar has a refined, creamy, and nutty taste. Imitation caviar, on the other hand, often tastes flatter and sweeter and is sometimes artificially flavored. The eggs are smaller and often artificially colored to make them look more appealing.
Nutritional value: Real caviar contains high-quality proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins such as B12, and various minerals. These valuable nutrients are largely missing from imitation caviar, which mainly consists of cheap roe with lots of salt and preservatives.
Price: Real sturgeon caviar is very expensive: 25 grams quickly costs a significant amount. Imitation caviar is much cheaper, but for that price, you simply don’t get the same luxury experience or nutritional value.
Real Caviar from Carbon Caviar
Real caviar is a true taste sensation. The pearly eggs melt on your tongue and reveal a complex texture: creamy, buttery, and subtly briny with nutty undertones. Every bite feels luxurious and refined. The caviar from Carbon Caviar is cultivated under ideal conditions: the sturgeons grow stress-free in pure, mineral-rich water, like that of the Amur River and the Caspian Sea, and come from older sturgeons. This results in large, full pearls with a rich, pure flavor. Discover our different caviar types and their origins below.
Almas Caviar
Almas Caviar is our ultra-rare selection of Beluga (Huso) from the depths of the Caspian Sea. The large, majestic grains have an intensely buttery texture and a long-lasting, refined flavor that slowly opens into nutty and umami-like tones. When you buy Almas Caviar, you choose rarity and purity: these are real sturgeon eggs with a nutritional profile full of omega-3 and vitamins A/D, something imitation caviar (colored fish roe) simply does not provide. For those seeking the ultimate culinary experience, Almas is the absolute pinnacle.
Beluga Huso Huso
The Beluga Huso Huso is the classic king of Caspian caviar: extremely large, glossy pearls and a creamy, buttery taste that melts softly on the tongue. This is authentic Beluga from sturgeons that have matured for years in the unique ecosystem of the Caspian Sea. Buying Beluga caviar from Carbon Caviar means experiencing depth and complexity.
Impérial Gold
Impérial Gold is a premium selection of golden pearls, from the hybrid Huso Dauricus × Schrenckii, wild-farmed in the Amur River. The pearls are large, amber to golden, with a full, creamy taste and pronounced buttery and nutty tones. Buying Impérial Gold caviar means bringing home spectacular presentation and deep flavor complexity.
Kaluga Royal Amur
Kaluga Royal Amur is a rich, luxurious caviar from the Amur River, known for its large amber pearls and full, creamy mouthfeel. Kaluga is often praised as “the rival of Beluga” due to its intensity and lasting flavor. Buying Kaluga caviar means choosing a product that is both impressively flavorful and authentically sourced, qualities imitation caviar lacks, with its smaller eggs, artificial coloring, and far less layered taste.
Russian Oscietra Royal
Our Russian Oscietra Royal comes from the esteemed Oscietra sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) of the Amur River. This caviar features medium-sized, golden-green grains with a firm texture and a complex flavor profile: nutty, sometimes slightly fruity, with a creamy, buttery finish. Oscietra is a versatile favorite among gourmets and chefs. Buying Oscietra caviar means choosing an authentic, gastronomically reliable option that is incomparable in taste, texture, and nutrition to imitation caviar.
Health: why real caviar is so nutritious
Real caviar is not only delicious but also highly nutritious. It is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, high-quality proteins, and vitamins (such as B12, A, D, and E). These nutrients support your heart, blood vessels, brain, and immune system. Caviar also contains antioxidants like selenium and vitamin A, which benefit your skin and metabolism. A typical portion (about 30 grams) already covers your daily requirement for vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids. There are even “vegetarian caviar” alternatives made from algae, but they do not match the nutritional value of real caviar. (Read more in our blog on the health benefits of caviar.)
Why eat caviar from the hand?
Why eat caviar from the hand? Because it is the most authentic way to experience all the subtleties of real caviar. By placing a small amount of caviar on the inside of your hand, between your thumb and index finger or on your wrist, the pearls gently warm to body temperature. This allows them to retain their full aroma and texture, while softly “popping” on the tongue and releasing a creamy, briny flavor.
Using metal spoons or cold surfaces can affect the delicate flavors and natural mouthfeel, causing the true complexity of the caviar to be lost. Eating caviar from the hand allows you to fully appreciate its texture, length of flavor, and subtle aromas, an experience cherished by top chefs and connoisseurs for centuries.
Would you like to learn exactly how to do this and why this tradition is so important for experiencing real caviar? Read more in our blog post: Why eat caviar from the hand?
Carbon Caviar
Carbon Caviar delivers only Grade 1 caviar. We work with top chefs and luxury restaurants to select only the very best. Our sturgeons grow under ideal conditions in clean, natural waters, resulting in pearls with a consistent, full flavor. This ensures that every bite offers true luxury and authenticity. Want to experience it for yourself? Order authentic caviar from Carbon Caviar today. With every order, you’ll receive a free mother-of-pearl spoon and opener, and we ship chilled within 1–2 days. This way, you can immediately enjoy the ultimate caviar experience.
Browse our collection here and order directly!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is imitation caviar?
Imitation caviar is not real sturgeon caviar but colored fish roe (for example from salmon, trout, cod, or herring). It has smaller, brightly colored eggs and tastes less complex than real caviar. Imitation caviar is affordable, but it does not deliver the same taste or nutritional value.
How can I recognize real caviar?
Real caviar comes from sturgeon. The eggs are often larger and vary in color (black, gold, amber) instead of bright hues. They have a refined, creamy flavor. Well-known names such as Beluga, Oscietra, or Kaluga guarantee authentic caviar.
How healthy is real caviar?
Very healthy. Thanks to its high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids, proteins, and vitamin B12, real caviar supports your heart, brain, and energy levels. Imitation caviar contains almost none of these valuable nutrients and is often full of salt and preservatives. Read more in our blog about the health benefits of caviar.
Where can I buy real caviar?
At Carbon Caviar, of course! We offer only Grade 1 authentic caviar. Order directly via our webshop. All orders are delivered chilled within 1–2 days, complete with a free mother-of-pearl spoon and opener.
Can I use imitation caviar?
Imitation caviar can be a budget-friendly option (for example, for sushi or salad dressing), but it is not a substitute for real caviar. It lacks the refined flavor and nutritional value of authentic sturgeon caviar. For a true experience, we always recommend real caviar.
Try the real experience: Want to taste the difference yourself? Explore our exclusive caviar collection and order authentic caviar from Carbon Caviar!
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