"Black caviar" and "red caviar" sound like two colours of the same thing, but they come from completely different fish and taste nothing alike. Black caviar is sturgeon roe, the true caviar. Red caviar is salmon roe. Here's how to tell them apart, and which one suits what you have in mind.
The Short Answer
Black caviar is the lightly salted roe of sturgeon. The pearls are smaller and darker, and the flavour is delicate and buttery. It's rare and expensive. Red caviar is salmon roe. The pearls are large and bright orange, with a juicy pop and a stronger taste of the sea. It's far more affordable.
Side by Side
| Black caviar | Red caviar | |
|---|---|---|
| Comes from | Sturgeon | Salmon |
| Colour | Dark grey and black to amber and golden | Bright orange to red |
| Pearl size | Small to large, depending on the type | Large |
| Texture | Smooth and delicate | Firm, with a juicy pop |
| Flavour | Buttery, nutty, gently briny | Saltier, with a bolder taste of the sea |
| Price | High | Much lower |
| Is it "true" caviar? | Yes | No, it's roe |
Why Is It Called Black Caviar?
Sturgeon roe is usually dark, from deep grey to almost black, so it became known as black caviar. The name is especially common in Russia and Eastern Europe, where it's called chyornaya ikra, and salmon roe is krasnaya ikra, or red caviar. Not all sturgeon caviar is black, though. Some sturgeon produce rarer, lighter roe, which is sold as golden caviar, like our Royal Gold.
How They Taste
Black caviar is subtle. The flavour builds slowly: lightly salty at first, then buttery or nutty, with a clean finish that lingers. Softer types like Beluga feel creamy, while firmer ones like Osetra give a gentle pop.
Red caviar is bolder. Each large pearl bursts in your mouth, releasing a salty, juicy flavour that's more obviously "of the sea". It's satisfying in a different way, and it holds up well next to bread, butter and other strong flavours.
Why Is Black Caviar So Much More Expensive?
Sturgeon take many years to mature before they produce roe, and international trade in wild sturgeon caviar is tightly restricted, so almost all black caviar today comes from carefully managed farms. Salmon mature much faster and are far more plentiful. That difference in time, rarity and care is why a small tin of black caviar costs much more than a large jar of red caviar. You can see how black caviar is priced by type and size in our caviar prices in Dubai guide.
How to Serve Each One
- Black caviar: keep it simple and cold. Serve it on ice with a mother of pearl spoon, taste it plain first, then enjoy it on blinis with a little crème fraîche. Our guide on how to serve caviar has more ideas.
- Red caviar: it's traditionally spread on buttered bread or blinis, and it's popular on sushi, where it's known as ikura.
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose red caviar for everyday snacks, generous toppings or when you want a bold flavour at a lower price. Choose black caviar when the moment is special: a celebration, a dinner for two, a gift, or simply when you want to taste the real thing. If you're new to black caviar, Osetra is a friendly place to start, and Beluga is the classic luxury choice.
Buy Black Caviar in Dubai
Samarkha specialises in black caviar. We offer Osetra, Imperial Osetra, Beluga, Royal Beluga and golden Royal Gold, in tins from 50g to 1kg, with same-day chilled delivery across all seven emirates. Explore our black caviar collection, or read what is caviar? to learn more about the different types.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is red caviar real caviar?
Not strictly. True caviar only comes from sturgeon. Red caviar is salmon roe, although many people call it caviar.
Which is healthier, black or red caviar?
Both are fish roe and are usually eaten in small amounts. Nutrition varies by product, so check the label of the tin or jar you buy.
Why is black caviar called "black"?
Because sturgeon roe is usually dark grey to black. The name sets it apart from red caviar, which is orange salmon roe.
Is all black caviar actually black?
No. It ranges from dark grey to amber, and some rare types are golden.
Where can I buy black caviar in Dubai?
You can order online from Samarkha for same-day chilled delivery across the UAE. Browse our black caviar in Dubai.