- +971 52 105 4464
- [email protected]
- Dubai, UAE
The Origin of Caviar
Caviar from which fish? True caviar comes only from sturgeon — an ancient family of fish called Acipenseridae. Just the lightly salted roe of sturgeon can be called real caviar. About 27 sturgeon species exist, and a few produce the world’s finest grades. Beluga caviar comes from the Huso huso sturgeon, Osetra from the Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii), and Sevruga from the stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus). Eggs from salmon, trout, or flying fish stay “roe,” but not true caviar. Explore our full caviar collection and certified sturgeon caviar range online. Sturgeon have lived on earth for more than 200 million years, which makes their roe rare and prized. So when you ask which fish caviar comes from, the expert answer stays short: sturgeon.
The Fish
Every tin of authentic caviar starts with a sturgeon. These slow-growing fish once filled the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea, and cold northern rivers. They count as living fossils — their shape has barely changed since the age of the dinosaurs.
Family: All true caviar comes from fish in the family Acipenseridae, made up of sturgeon and their close relatives.
Protected trade: Two sturgeon species joined CITES Appendix I in 1989, and the remaining 25 species were listed under Appendix II in 1998 — so every legal caviar product has been regulated since 1 April 1998.
Farmed today: Overfishing pushed most supply to aquaculture, so trusted sellers now source only from certified, sustainable farms.
Wide choice: Buyers can pick fresh roe across many grades and budgets from one trusted supplier.
The Species
A small group of sturgeon give the caviar you see on luxury menus. Each brings its own size, colour, and taste.
Beluga (Huso huso): Largest and longest-living sturgeon; big, soft, pale pearls.
Osetra (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii): Medium grain; nutty, refined flavour; amber to brown.
Sevruga (Acipenser stellatus): Small grain; bold, intense taste.
Siberian (Acipenser baerii): Clean and approachable; a strong starter grade.
Kaluga (Huso dauricus): Often called the “river Beluga”; large, buttery pearls.
The Definition
The word “caviar” has meant sturgeon eggs for centuries. By tradition — and now by law — it points to salt-cured sturgeon roe and nothing else.
The Malossol method: Finest grades use “little salt,” so the natural flavour stays front and centre. Legal labelling: Since 1998, CITES has backed a universal caviar labelling system to help buyers spot legal caviar in trade. Full traceability: A genuine tin can be traced to its species, origin, and harvest year. Learn the basics in our guide on what caviar is.
Know the Difference
Many tasty fish eggs get sold as “caviar,” but they come from other fish. They deserve a place on your table — under the right name.
Salmon roe: Large orange pearls with a fresh pop, from salmon; often called “red caviar.” Shop our salmon caviar.
Tobiko: Tiny, crunchy tobiko from flying fish, common in sushi; see our tobiko explained guide.
Masago: Small capelin roe, a budget stand-in for tobiko.
Lumpfish roe: Firm, dyed pearls sold at low cost.
Correct name for all of these: roe, not true caviar. Knowing the difference stops you paying caviar prices for something else.
Taste & Price
Each sturgeon grade carries its own character, price tier, and best use. Wild Beluga has sold for as much as US $2,000 per kilogram on Western markets, which shows how grade drives price.
Serving matters too:
Right spoon: Use mother-of-pearl, bone, or horn serving spoons — never metal.
Right pairing: Classic accompaniments like blinis and crème fraîche lift every note.
Getting Started
New to caviar? Start simple and build from there.
Pick a grade: Osetra or Siberian — balanced, and gentler on the budget than Beluga. Pick a size: A 10–30g tin gives you plenty to taste and learn. Serve it right: Straight from the fridge, on the back of your hand or a non-metal spoon.
Authenticity
Two things separate real caviar from a risky buy: certification and cold chain.
CITES label: Genuine caviar carries a label showing species, source, and harvest year — proof of legal, sustainable farming.
Cold chain: Caviar ranks among the most temperature-sensitive foods on earth, so it must stay between 0°C and 4°C from farm to fridge.
Specialist supplier: Buy from a caviar house, not a supermarket shelf.
Our proof: Caviar Heritage has supplied premium roe since 2001, sources CITES-certified sturgeon caviar only, and ships in temperature-controlled chiller vans trusted by 500+ restaurants, hotels, and caterers across the UAE, including Emirates Catering.
Care
Good caviar deserves careful handling. A few simple habits protect the flavour you paid for.
Chill it right: Store unopened tins at 0°C to 4°C in the coldest part of your fridge.
Eat it fresh: Once opened, enjoy within 24 to 48 hours.
Never freeze: Ice crystals break the eggs and ruin the texture.
Plate it well: Serve on ice, with smoked salmon, blinis, or plain toast points.
Portion smart: Plan 10–15g per person as a tasting, more for a main course.
Full Range
Buy authentic sturgeon caviar online in Dubai directly from Caviar Heritage. Our range covers the full sturgeon family and more.
Every grade: Beluga, Osetra, Sevruga, Kaluga, and Siberian.
Beyond caviar: Salmon caviar, tobiko, premium seafood, truffle, and saffron.
Fast delivery: Same-day chiller-van delivery across Dubai; UAE-wide dispatch to Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
Easy payment: Cash on delivery, plus code CHFIRST5 for 5% off or WELCOME10 for 10% off.
Ready to taste true sturgeon caviar? Shop the caviar collection now, or call +971 55 226 5230 or message us on WhatsApp for expert help choosing your grade — authentic caviar, delivered fresh to your door.
FAQ
Since 2001, our specialists have managed the supply chain for 500+ elite UAE partners, including Emirates Catering. With 24 years of expertise, we provide technical insights on CITES authenticity, grading, and cold-chain integrity. Every guide is reviewed by the same team that tastes and approves every batch before delivery.
+971 52 644 4206 +971 52 105 4464 [email protected]
Warehouse 5, Goshi Warehouse Village, 22nd St – Al Quoz Industrial Area 3, Dubai, UAE
© 2025 Caviar Heritage.
