Ossetra

Ossetra (also Oscietra, Osetra, or Asetra) caviar is one of the most prized and expensive types of caviar (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.

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.