| Revision as of 14:08, 17 September 2008 editThe Ogre (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers25,868 edits small corrections, and Almas e not just beluga, but a special type of beluga going for 25000$ per kilo← Previous edit | Revision as of 14:21, 17 September 2008 edit undoThe Ogre (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers25,868 edits →Harvesting: correction and more info - it was the CITES who defined the quotas, the criticism was by othersNext edit → | ||
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| ==Harvesting== | ==Harvesting== | ||
| The Beluga sturgeon is currently considered to be ], causing the ] to ban the importation of Beluga caviar which originated in the Caspian Sea and Black Sea basin. In January 2007, this ban was partly lifted, allowing the sale of 96 tons of caviar, 15 per cent below the official 2005 level.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6225723.stm|title=UN lifts embargo on caviar trade|date=2007-01-02|publisher=]|accessdate=2008-05-30}}</ref> The |
The Beluga sturgeon is currently considered to be ], causing the ] to ban the importation of Beluga caviar which originated in the Caspian Sea and Black Sea basin. In 2006, the ] (CITES) suspend all trade made with the tradicional caviar producing sturgeons of the Caspian and Black seas (Beluga, ] and ]), due to the producing countries inability in apllying international regulations and recomendations<ref></ref>, exempting only ].<ref></ref> In January 2007, this ban was partly lifted, allowing the sale of 96 tons of caviar, 15 per cent below the official 2005 level.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6225723.stm|title=UN lifts embargo on caviar trade|date=2007-01-02|publisher=]|accessdate=2008-05-30}}</ref> The 2007 quotas have been maintained for 2008 by CITES, which has been severly criticised as doing little to protect the declining sturgeon population.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080304093748.htm|title=Beluga Sturgeon Threatened With Extinction, Yet Caviar Quotas Remain Unchanged|date=2008-03-06|accessdate=September 15|accessyear=2008}}</ref> | ||
| The Beluga sturgeon can take up to 20 years to reach maturity. The fish harvested for caviar are often nearly 2000 pounds. The eggs themselves are the largest of the commonly used roes, and range in colour from dark grey (almost black) to light grey, with the lighter colours coming from older fish, and being the most valued. A pearly white variety, called ''Almas'' (] for '']''), taken from a centenial female sturgeon, is the rarest type of Beluga available, with an extremely small production and prices reaching almost 25000$ per kilo. | The Beluga sturgeon can take up to 20 years to reach maturity. The fish harvested for caviar are often nearly 2000 pounds. The eggs themselves are the largest of the commonly used roes, and range in colour from dark grey (almost black) to light grey, with the lighter colours coming from older fish, and being the most valued. A pearly white variety, called ''Almas'' (] for '']''), taken from a centenial female sturgeon, is the rarest type of Beluga available, with an extremely small production and prices reaching almost 25000$ per kilo. | ||
| Any additions by producers diminish the value of the roe, and the caviar usually reaches the market without any additions or processing whatsoever. Most people also find a good bit of ] and/or sweetness in the flavour as well. |
Any additions by producers diminish the value of the roe, and the caviar usually reaches the market without any additions or processing whatsoever. Most people also find a good bit of ] and/or sweetness in the flavour as well. | ||
| ==Service== | ==Service== | ||
Revision as of 14:21, 17 September 2008
Beluga caviar is caviar consisting of the roe (or eggs) of the Beluga sturgeon found primarily in the Caspian Sea. It can also be found in the Black Sea basin and occasionally in the Adriatic Sea. Beluga caviar is the most expensive type of caviar, with present market prices going from 7000$ to 10000$ per kilo.
Harvesting
The Beluga sturgeon is currently considered to be endangered, causing the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to ban the importation of Beluga caviar which originated in the Caspian Sea and Black Sea basin. In 2006, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) suspend all trade made with the tradicional caviar producing sturgeons of the Caspian and Black seas (Beluga, Ossetra and Sevruga), due to the producing countries inability in apllying international regulations and recomendations, exempting only Iran. In January 2007, this ban was partly lifted, allowing the sale of 96 tons of caviar, 15 per cent below the official 2005 level. The 2007 quotas have been maintained for 2008 by CITES, which has been severly criticised as doing little to protect the declining sturgeon population.
The Beluga sturgeon can take up to 20 years to reach maturity. The fish harvested for caviar are often nearly 2000 pounds. The eggs themselves are the largest of the commonly used roes, and range in colour from dark grey (almost black) to light grey, with the lighter colours coming from older fish, and being the most valued. A pearly white variety, called Almas (Persian for diamond), taken from a centenial female sturgeon, is the rarest type of Beluga available, with an extremely small production and prices reaching almost 25000$ per kilo.
Any additions by producers diminish the value of the roe, and the caviar usually reaches the market without any additions or processing whatsoever. Most people also find a good bit of acidity and/or sweetness in the flavour as well.
Service
As with most caviars, Beluga is usually handled with a spoon made of mother of pearl, bone, or other non-metallic material, as metal utensils tend to impart an unwelcome metallic taste to the delicate and expensive roe. But Beluga caviar, unlike less expensive varieties is usually served by itself on toast whereas other caviars can be served in a variety of ways, including hollowed and cooked new potatoes, on a blini, or garnished with sour cream, crème fraîche, minced onion or minced hard boiled egg whites. The higher grade caviars, including Beluga, usually need very little embellishment.
Beluga caviar ranges in price from more than $5,000 per kilogram in the United States, to a low of around $250 per kilo in Atyrau, Kazakhstan, the major production center.
References
- Young, Mark C. (1999). Guinness Book of World Records. p. 94.
- Schmidt, Arno (2003). Chef's Book of Formulas, Yields, and Sizes. p. 48.
- BBC - International caviar trade banned, 2006.
- The Nibble, "Caspian Caviar Update: News About The World’s Favorite Roe", 2006.
- "UN lifts embargo on caviar trade". BBC News. 2007-01-02. Retrieved 2008-05-30.
- "Beluga Sturgeon Threatened With Extinction, Yet Caviar Quotas Remain Unchanged". 2008-03-06. Retrieved September 15.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - "Beluga Caviar". Caviar-Guide.com. 2006. Retrieved September 15.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - Fabricant, Florence (2003). The New York Times Seafood Cookbook. p. 287.