Sturgeon Fish and their Species

In recent years, over-fishing in the Caspian Sea has greatly depleted sturgeon populations.  Beluga caviar is one of the best and priciest of the caviars.  The eggs are large, bluish-grey, and slightly sweet.  A pasteurized version is available in jars, but fresh caviar is much better.  Malossol (lightly salted) beluga is the finest, and the most expensive.  If substituting an inferior caviar, consider perking it up with a splash of fresh lemon juice. Equivalents:  2 tablespoons = 1 ounce    Substitutes:  hackleback caviar (smaller grains, less expensive) OR Beluga (a Chinese version of Beluga) OR Assetra caviar (smaller grains, brown instead of gray; stronger, nuttier flavor) OR sevruga caviar (even smaller grains, even stronger flavor) OR paddlefish caviar (gray, not black) OR bowfin caviar (similar color) OR lumpfish roe (not as delicate) Sturgeons are the most valuable of ocean fish. Twenty five species and sub-species of sturgeons have been identified so far, of which only three species produce caviar, all living in the Caspian Sea. The specifications of these valuable fish are as follows:
1. BELUGA (HUSO HUSO)
Beluga usually weighs between 75-100 Kilograms and is 2 meters long. It produces about 20 Kilograms of Beluga Caviar and has a life expectancy of about 100  years. Beluga Caviar has a dark to light gray color, and is large with a thin shell.
2. ASETRA (ACIPENSER SP.)
Asetra on average, weighs 20 Kilograms, is 1.5 meters long, produces 4 -7 Kilograms of Asetra Caviar, and can live up to 50 years. The Asetra Caviar comes in dark to light gray and golden colors with a delicious taste.
3. SEVRUGA (ACIPENSER STELLATUS)
Sevruga has an average weight of 10 Kilograms, and is 1-1.40 meters long, produces about 3 Kilograms of Sevruga Caviar, and can live up to 30 years. Sevruga Caviar is dark gray, has small grains with a delicious taste.

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