There has never been a better time to savour the 'black gold' of fine dining
Caviar, which are essentially salt-cured sturgeon roe, is one of the oldest and most sumptuous delicacies in the food world, a privilege of aristocrats and royalty in the past. These days, thanks to the advanced technology that allows farmers to sustainably farm the varieties of sturgeon without sacrificing taste and quality, it's become more accessible to gourmands.
It still cost a pretty penny, but a surge in production in the face of a slow but steady rise in demand and appreciation has kept prices reasonable. More importantly, there are plenty of guilt-free options to take pleasure in. Here are just a few brands to make their mark on the world of fine dining and where in Singapore you can find them.
1. Caviar Colony
The Singapore-founded company was born out of Benjamin Goh and Celine Tan’s desire to make premium caviar accessible to all. They offer five types of caviar from different sturgeon species, which are sustainably and responsibly raised at the 800-hectare farms in Yunnan, China.
Raised without antibiotics in pristine spring waters and harvested after 10 years to ensure the highest quality, the eggs are aged for two months and salted sparingly (3.2 to 3.5 per cent as compared to the industry standards of 5 to 8 per cent) to allow the pristine flavours to shine.
The best-selling variety so far has been the amur from the river sturgeon, characterised by its dark green pearls, light and buttery flavours, and long, briny finish. But for something more exclusive, it’s best to go for the Russian hybrid, bred using osetra and Siberian sturgeon. The taste is quite distinctive and somewhat sweet—like Kyoho grapes but with a nutty and creamy finish. These are available at 28 Wilkie, Alma, Meta, Nouri and Pollen.
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