by Nancy Houser

Created on: March 17, 2010

Shopping trips and out-of-the-way places to buy caviar for the very first time can be stressful and nerve-wracking, yet at the same time quite exciting. All of it will depend on whether the buyer of caviar is experienced or a novice. Attending a caviar-tasting event is just as important to someone who does it on a steady basis. To a novice, it is important but in an entirely different way. The entire situation involves knowing about the different types of sturgeon and their caviar.

Why People Love Caviar

People love caviar for many reasons. The ancient buttery flavor of caviar after it pops on the roof of the mouth has been around for a long time. Going back into the early days of ancient Rome, Egypt, and Persia, the art of eating caviar had gained popularity because it was thought to be a stimulant for endurance and energy. But as the years have gone by, the essence of fresh caviar was simply associated with wealthy environments, high-ranking positions and symbols of luxury and success.

Caviar was known as the rich man's delicacy, with little knowledge available in Europe about Native American mothers weaning their babies on the abundant sturgeon roe-and had been for years. However, high-class societies developed massive appetites for caviar, treasuring it as a symbol of their wealth to this day. Anything that was considered prestigious flourished during a time when caviar markets were fueled by extraordinary prices.

Some of the best sturgeon fish that was available during this time were the Russian or Sevruga, with top-notch caviar pulled from both. Caviar experts decided what sold best and for how much. Depending on the amount of expertise the caviar buyer had, it would influence individual preferences, current prices, and far-reaching availability of the product.  The world began to expand with more and more caviar becoming available to everyone, causing the average masses to feel as if they were rubbing elbows with the elite.As time marched on, caviar prices began to go up and down, yet was hitting the mainstream of society whereas centuries ago it had not. This was a time when America began to produce as much as 90% of the caviar, only to have it marketed as the more expensive Russian caviar on on the black market.

How to Choose Caviar

Knowing how to choose caviar is an art that has come a long ways in history. Where at one time caviar was a very rare and high-priced commodity of the rich-today there is a huge availability that many different types

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