- Imperial Asetra & Asetra Caviar
Asetra caviar also spelled Osetra, Ossetra, or Oscietra, is extracted from Persian and Russian sturgeons (A. persicus , A. gueldenstaedti, A. nudiventris). It is so popular and rare; some believe it is the best caviar in the world for its rich flavor. It is nutty and creamy in taste.
Asetra (ossetra) caviar varies in color from light gray to dark brown and golden brown, so it sometimes is called golden caviar. Egg size depends on sturgeon species and farming condition. Persian sturgeon (Qarah-burun/ A.persicus) egg is from 2.5 to 3.3mm, Russian sturgeon (A.gueldenstaedti) egg is from 2 to 3mm and ship sturgeon egg (A.nudiventris) is 1.5 to 2.5mm.
Asetra Garahburun Royal and Royal Gold are eggs coming from a very rare species of sturgeon (acipenser persicus) that lives in the southern part of the Caspian Sea on the Iranian shore. It is famous for the well-defined size (2.5 to 3.3mm) and the typical dodecahedral shape of the eggs. This caviar is not Beluga, but this is truly the next best thing. Many prefer Asetra’s nutty, slightly fruity flavor over Beluga.
In environments with proper temperature and nutrition, Qarah-buruns (A. persicus) females mature at age of 8 to 10 and weighing 14 to 22 kg. The approximate length of farmed Persian sturgeon is about 130 cm in maturity and its egg laying is 12 to 15% of the body weight of the fish.
In the sea the male Qarah-buruns mature at 8 to 10 years of age and the females at 10 to 12 years of age. The average caviar for each female was reported to be 5.22 kg and a maximum of 12.2 kg.
The Russian sturgeon (A.gueldenstaedti) and ship sturgeon (A.nudiventris) in breeding environments, males and females mature at age 7 and 8 to 10, respectively and their egg laying is 12 to 15% of the body weight.
The Russian sturgeon males mature in nature at the age of 11 to 13, and females at the age of 12 to 16, and the average caviar production in females is 3.5 kg. In nature, ship sturgeon males generally mature at age 9 to 13 and females at the age 13 to 16 in the Caspian Sea.