All caviar is roe, but not all roe is caviar! Find out what makes caviar such a luxurious, rare treat
You’ve had a tough week and want to unwind with some upscale snacks. Caviar sounds good! As you pass the caviar and roe at your local seafood market, you notice that they seem to be almost the same thing, but with very different prices. What’s the deal? Both caviar and roe are fish eggs, but they have some subtle differences that make one a luxury item and one a more accessible treat. In this article, we’ll walk you through the differences between the two, including where each one comes from, the cost, the taste, and more. Let’s dive in!
Things You Should Know
- Caviar is salt-cured, unfertilized eggs from sturgeon fish, and roe is unfertilized eggs from any fish (salted or unsalted, cooked or uncooked).
- Paddlefish roe is the closest substitute for real caviar, although roe and caviar taste very similar and can be used nearly interchangeably.
- Caviar can range from $50 to over $800 per ounce (28 g) depending on the quality and rarity of the sturgeon, whereas roe can cost as little as $10 per ounce.
Steps
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Tips
- There’s no right or wrong way to enjoy your caviar. Since it’s expensive, you deserve to eat in with or on top of anything you like (even potato chips!).Thanks
- Authentic caviar can be found online or at seafood markets or grocery stores with a sizable seafood counter.Thanks
- When in doubt, remember that all caviar is roe, but not all roe is caviar.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/what-is-caviar-23458944
- ↑ https://www.tastingtable.com/799234/what-makes-caviar-so-expensive/
- ↑ https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/fish-roe
- ↑ https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/life/food/2021/02/26/caviar-guide-what-makes-sturgeon-eggs-expensive-culinary-treat/4556278001/
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/what-is-caviar-23458944
- ↑ https://americasrestaurant.com/roe-taste/
- ↑ https://www.themanual.com/food-and-drink/what-is-caviar-guide/
- ↑ https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/life/food/2021/02/26/caviar-guide-what-makes-sturgeon-eggs-expensive-culinary-treat/4556278001/
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/what-is-caviar-23458944
- ↑ https://www.eater.com/2018/12/27/18156538/how-to-order-caviar-restaurants-dining-out-caviar-differences-beluga-osetra
- ↑ https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/cpg-sec-540150-caviar-use-term-labeling
- ↑ https://www.themanual.com/food-and-drink/what-is-caviar-guide/
- ↑ https://www.honestfoodtalks.com/how-to-serve-caviar/
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-eat-caviar-23458946
- ↑ https://www.themanual.com/food-and-drink/what-is-caviar-guide/
- ↑ https://www.honestfoodtalks.com/how-to-serve-caviar/
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/caviar-benefits/
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