What Is Red Caviar?

Sandwiches with red and black caviar

When you think of caviar, the color black is what comes to your mind. And even though black caviars are the most appraised ones, some caviars come in different colors, one of which is red. But what is red caviar, where can it be found, and how much does it cost are all the questions we will now answer. 

Black, Gold, or Red? What Are the Colors of Caviar? 

Let’s start by explaining what caviar is. It is defined as matured eggs of sturgeon, and only eggs from this fish can be qualified as « real » caviar. The other term you may come across is roe, which qualifies as eggs from any other fish, whether salmon, trout or any other species. The sturgeon roe can come in different colors, and which color it would be depends on the type of sturgeon they come from. Here is how to distinguish them: 

  • Beluga – The color ranges from light gray to deep charcoal 
  • Osetra – From deep amber to dark green.
  • Kaluga – Dark brown or golden brown color.

What Is Red Caviar?

Even though the color of this product looks appealing and it even tastes nice, it is important to remember that red caviar is not authentic. Since this product doesn’t come from sturgeon, it can not be considered to be a true caviar by definition. Yes, people do call these products that way, but true connoisseurs of this delicacy will know that is not correct. 

In essence, it is salmon, whitefish, and trout roe and can be orange, yellow, or red. 

What Is Salmon Roe and Ikura?  

In many cases, instead of naming it red caviar, people refer to this product as simply salmon roe. However, there are many variants of this term depending on the region. For example, in Japan, this product is referred to as Ikura, which comes from the Russian word ikra, which means fish roe. So in Japanese cuisine, when you are eating this delicacy, you will be served Ikura, which is, in essence, the same thing as salmon roe. 

Types of Red Caviar

As you can see, there is much confusion about this product, and in most cases, it is a matter of semantics, but to be clear – this delicacy is a fish egg that comes from the family of Salmonidae. And while eggs from whitefish are usually yellowish, and those from trout are orange, most eggs that come from salmon are red. Still, if you purchase caviar produced from these fishes, it will be categorized as red. 

However, salmon roe is considered to be the highest quality you can buy in this category, and there will even be different grades depending on the type of salmon it comes from. There are several species that produce eggs of different flavors, quality, and textures. Here is a table with explained differences between them. 

Type of salmon Flavor and appearance 
Coho   Mild flavor and firm texture usually come in light orange and pink colors.
Chinook  It has a large grain size and buttery rich flavor; it is usually dark orange and red.
Sockeye  It has a vibrant bright red color and bold salty flavor. 

How Much Is One Gram of Salmon Roe? 

If you want to buy caviar (in this case, salmon roe,) the price for 100 grams would be somewhere between $15 to $30, even though it can be even higher. The price will depend on the type of product you wish to purchase and its grade. Like with the sturgeon roe, salmon also has grades, and they come from grade A, which is the highest, to grade C, which is the lowest. Also, if you come across caviar for sale, it may be at an even more affordable price. 

Red caviar on a metal fork isolated on black background
No matter the price, this is a delicacy everyone should try

How to Buy Caviar Online? 

If you can not make a caviar order in person by going to a store, you can always try caviar online ordering. Don’t worry, ordering these products online is completely safe, and in most cases, you will be able to even find products that are better quality than the ones available at your local shop.

But when deciding from which caviar online store you will order this delicacy, make sure you check where these products come from. For example, in most countries in the world, trading wild sturgeon roe is illegal because these species are endangered, so only products that come from sturgeons are bread in aquacultures. 

Black caviar and vodka. Vintage style.
Make sure you view and order all the necessary cutlery too

Order Caviar Online! Get Your Pack of Black Delicacy Today

Salmon roe is one of the most commonly used products of this kind in the world. If you ever ate sushi, you have probably tried one of these products. And yes, there is no such thing as a real deal – black caviar, which is sturgeon roe, but it was basically unavailable for years. Luckily, now you don’t need to search for « caviar near me »; you can always order this delicious product online

If you wish to try one of the best black caviars in the world, you can visit our caviar shop and contact us today. There are many options you can view on our online shop and order in just a couple of steps. One thing is for sure – all our products come from sturgeons raised in conditions that mimic the species’ natural environment in the best possible way. So if you want to try the real delicacy, our product will not disappoint.

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