What Is White Caviar?

If you are a fan of luxurious foods, you are no doubt familiar with caviar. You have probably heard that it comes in different shades, such as black or red. But, you may be surprised to hear that it also comes in a sheer, pearly white color. So, what is white caviar?

Exclusive white caviar is one of the fanciest foods served at dinners. This rear, beautiful caviar is considered to be the “pearls of the Earth.” There are different varieties of white caviar, and different types come from different species. However, each type is considered to be a symbol of pleasure and luxury.

White caviar from albino sturgeon

In this article, we will be sharing with you some of the most interesting facts about this pearly caviar. Keep reading to learn about some of the most expensive types, and hear some serving tips.

What Is White Caviar, and Where Does It Come From?

One of the rarest caviar’s on the market is the white caviar that comes from albino sturgeon. It is often referred to as the “Almas” caviar, and it comes exclusively from the albino beluga sturgeon, which is an extremely rare species, living mostly on the Iranian side of the Caspian Sea. In the Russian language, “Almas” means diamond, and it has been enjoyed as a delicacy for thousands of years.

The Preparation Process of This Illuminating Caviar

The preparation process is quite intricate, which in a way explains such exceptionality of this delicacy. The roe from the fish is dehydrated and grated in a fine way.This creates a luxurious and immaculate delicacy. The eggs from the fish are white and smooth, and it’s much preferred to extract the eggs from older fishes that live to be over 100 years old.

Eggs from albino sturgeon

Is the Extraordinaire White Albino Sturgeon Caviar the Most Expensive in the World?

The albino sturgeon fish is a rarity in our ecosystem due to their genetic disorder that enables them from producing melanin. Being such a rare specie, their eggs can only be afforded by a handful of people that can pay their exorbitant price. Why is that? Well, according to the Guinness World Records, white “Almas’ ‘ caviar has been officially announced the most expensive food in the world.

The “Almas” caviar costs $35,000 per kilogram but can also be bought in small tins for around $1000. The most expensive type of this caviar is made in Austria on a family farm. The father and son duo from Austria produces white caviar laced with 24-carat gold.

The "Almas'' caviar

How to Serve the White Caviar in the Most Extraordinary Way?

Caviar is usually best served by itself. However, it can come with common accompaniments such as:

  • crème Fraiche,
  • lemon wedges,
  • mini potatoes,
  • minced onions,
  • and spread on blinis unsalted crackers.

But, when it comes to high-quality caviars, the best way to eat this delicacy is to serve it alone. That is how the royal family did it for hundreds of years.

Be Sure You Are Using Proper Dishes and the Right Drinks

The delicacy should be served in a cold, non-metallic dish, usually made out of glass. The metal container dish, such as silver or any other metal, could ruin the precious flavor. Usually, ice is put on the base to maintain the correct temperature.

If you are spreading it on a slice of bread, or a cracker, be sure the eggs are intact. If you want to top it off with a drink, experts believe it’s best served with a glass of iced vodka, even though it’s generally served with French champagne.

 Serving caviar

Are There Any Popular Substitutes for This Immaculate Food?

One of the most popular examples of “alternative caviar” is one made out of snails. Because the caviar is produced by snails, it has a different taste, more earthy and woodsy rather than sea-like. It is obtained by allowing snails to produce eggs in a controlled environment, after which the eggs are subjected to a careful selection.

The interesting thing about it is its pearly white color, which is why it is considered the most popular substitute for the expensive “Almas” caviar, even though they don’t taste anything alike. The snail “caviar” price goes up to roughly $1800 for a kilogram.

Preparing caviar in the kitchen

Where Can You Purchase the ”Almas” Caviar?

Since it is so extraordinary, the white sturgeon caviar can not be purchased just anywhere. There are few places in the world, and selected shops, where this delicacy can be purchased.

The most expensive and high-quality version can be found in a few Caviar House & Prunier stores, where a kilogram costs upwards of $25,000. Here you will find some other retailers and their prices.

CompanyAmountPrice
Marky’s (USA)100g$1.340
Caspian Monarque (Iran)50gPrice on request
Imperial Caviar (UK)100g £800
Caviar Center Inc. (Canada)100g$405
Céleste Caviar (Belgium)125g$562

White Caviar is Used in the Beauty Industry As Well

White caviar isn’t only just a delicious and luxurious delicacy – it is also highly recommended in the beauty industry. White caviar facials are appearing all over the globe, and many clients are looking to treat their skin with the age-defying benefits of this rare food.

Even though it has started trending in the last few years on the beauty market, it has actually been used for hundreds of years. It is well known that the Persians used it for medicinal purposes, and it was also well known to ancient Greeks. But, it wasn’t until the late 20th century that a beauty brand used it as a cosmetics product.

La Prairie’s White Caviar Collection

La Prairie is a Swiss beauty brand that has come up with a way of including whiter caviar into its cosmetic products. Following years of research, they found ingredients that have the most powerful illuminating properties and are effective in supporting the inhibition of melatonin formation.

Caviar used for facial treatments

Be Sure to Taste White Caviar if You Have a Chance

Now that you know all the important information about this exclusive caviar, you should definitely seek to try it. For some people, it’s unnecessary to spend all that money, but if you’re into luxurious gastronomy, this is something you should definitely taste at least once in a lifetime.