Gourmet Osetra Caviar
Osetra caviar is one of the finest delicacies in the world and elite society treasures it as a necessity along with Beluga and Sevruga caviar. Beloved for the experience it offers as well as its delightful flavor, it is the food of royalty. Osetra sturgeons are bottom feeders, so the color, taste and size of their roe is varied, depending on what they eat. This gives each Osetra tin it's very own unique attributes.
Like Beluga, Osetra sturgeon come from the Caspian Sea and are amongst the oldest creatures on the planet today. Ranging in color from brown to dark grey, they can weigh up to 450 pounds and reach 6 and a half feet in length. Osetra sturgeon take 15 years to reach maturity and have a lifespan of 80 years with some accounts of specimens that are over 100 years old.
Osetra caviar roe are firm when compared to fragile Beluga caviar eggs. Osetra Caviar ranges in color from brown to gold and some is even albino, but the most sought after Osetra is golden yellow in color. Its medium to large sized grains have a clean, delicate texture. The rich, nutty flavor and smooth finish of golden Osetra caviar is absolutely "to die for" and considered by some to be the very best in the world.
Although it is recommended that caviars of high grade such as Osetra are served plain over ice, it can be served in a myriad of ways. There are caviar recipes for seafood stuffing, salads, caviar spread and many others. The most common way to serve it is with caviar blinis or potatoes and sour crème, however you can use whatever flavors are personally desirable.
Osetra caviar should be presented in its original tin on a caviar server over ice. Make sure to use a non-metallic spoon so its flavor is not altered in anyway before consumption. If you don't have a caviar service set I would suggest using glass as other materials could have an undesirable effect on your caviar. As far as condiments go, once again Osetra caviar is of such high quality I would think twice before adding any additional ingredients. However, if you must, only the highest grade cracked pepper and herbs will due. Many people don't know how to eat caviar, to appreciate it's full flavor you should burst the roe in your mouth with your tongue, not swallow them whole.
Many connoisseurs also like to match their caviar with complimentary liquor such as wine or champagne. When buying Osetra make sure to ask what beverage choices best compliment it. Reputable caviar dealers have surely sampled their caviar stock and will be able to give educated advice on what goes best with your caviar.
Gourmet caviar should be kept between 26 to 32 degrees F and never frozen as the eggs may burst and the precious flavor will be lost. Once you have opened the tin, leftover caviar will last for about 1 week in the refrigerator when tightly wrapped in plastic. It should also be rotated every other day to ensure full oil coverage.
Osetra caviar is available for purchase online through many fine caviar dealers. There are several advantages when you order caviar online, including freshness, selection and convenience. You can even buy a caviar gift basket online. If you do choose to buy caviar online it will be shipped overnight in an insulated, temperature controlled box to ensure freshness.
When buying caviar check the site for caviar info or caviar faq and make sure the supplier has the proper documentation which indicates it was acquired legally and meets all domestic requirements, including FDA, CITES and the US fish and Wildlife Service regulations. Also check to make sure it has been HACCP (hazard analysis critical control point) certified to ensure freshness.
Osetra caviar is one of life's divine pleasures and you too will cherish it the moment you've had your first taste.
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