Ossetra
Ossetra (also Oscietra, Osetra, or Asetra) caviar is one of the most prized and expensive types of caviar[1] (eclipsed in price only by Beluga caviar). It is obtained from Ossetra sturgeon which weighs 50-400 pounds and can live up to 50 years.
Ossetra caviar varies in color, from deep brown to gold. Lighter varieties are more sought after, as they have the richest flavor and come from the oldest of sturgeon. Golden Ossetra is a rare form of Ossetra caviar, and is golden-yellow in color with a very rich flavor.[2]
The word Ossetra is the transcription of the Russian word “осётр” (“осeтр”) which translates into English as sturgeon. At one time the term "ossetra" simply referred to Russian sturgeon species harvested for this type of caviar.
Source animals
In Russian, there are different names for the species of sturgeon that live in various territories such as Beluga (Huso Huso), Sevruga (Acipenser stellatus) and Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus). The name Ossetra corresponds to the species Acipenser gueldenstaedtii, which is much smaller than Beluga sturgeon (Huso huso), and has a firmer texture. In the territory of the Russian Federation dwells another type of sturgeon, Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser Baerii), which is farmed all over the world because it can adapt to a wider range of habitats. It begins to produce caviar faster than Acipenser gueldenstaedtii.
History
Throughout the entire history of black caviar consumption, reference to Ossetra was made only to the fish that was caught first in Imperial Russia, then the USSR, and now in the Russian Federation.
Production
Today, Caspian Ossetra is facing extinction in its native habitat. Farming sturgeon is the only way to continue the production of high quality caviar. Israel is currently the leader in the production of Russian Ossetra Caviar Acipenser gueldenstaedtii. Branded as "Karat Caviar" recent exports are now available in the United States in order to meet the demand for caviar since there has been no 2009 issue for wild Caspian Caviar production.[citation needed] A group of companies referred to as Russian Caviar House, sell and distribute Siberian Ossetra Caviar (Acipenser baerii) due to their affiliation with DIANA Fish Trading, LLC, which manufactures 80% of all legal sturgeon caviar in Russia.[3] On July 17th, Black Caviar Company partnered with Russian Caviar House, following a decade long halt prohibiting the import of Russian caviar - the partnership enables Black Caviar Company to sell Russian black caviar within the United States.[4]
As with other caviars, ossetra is traditionally served on blinis with crème fraiche. Lower-grade varieties of caviar are used as stuffing in many seafood dishes, and some meat dishes. Caviar is often added to salads as well.
