Ossetra, Iranian (Caspian)

golden

Acipenser gueldenstaedtii

Southern Caspian Sea, Iran·Iran·Rare

The Caspian original, harvested from its native waters. Wild-managed Iranian Ossetra carries a mineral edge absent from farmed versions — the terroir of the ancient sea is unmistakable. Nutty, briny, complex, with a long mineral close.

Salinity
3Butteriness
3Nuttiness
5Umami
4Complexity
5
Pop
firm
Finish
Nutty
Texture
firm
Grain
medium
Colour
amber
Blini service
Not recommended

A purist's caviar, best appreciated completely alone. The mineral finish is easily lost under dairy or starch.

Pairings

Champagne
Vintage Champagne
Wine
Dry Riesling, Chablis Premier Cru
Spirits
Chilled vodka

Production

Source
wild-managed / Caspian
Producer
Iranian Caspian fisheries
Processing
malossol
Grade
royal

Legal & sourcing

Not available in the United States. Iranian / Caspian product is generally not available in the US. Farmed Ossetra from Italy or France is the legal alternative.
⚑ Regulatory watch
Species proposed for US ESA endangered listing (USFWS, May 2022). If finalized, the rule would apply 'wherever found' and could halt US import, export, and interstate commerce of ALL caviar of this species — including sustainably farmed product. As of mid-2025 no final rule has been published; farmed product remains fully legal to sell in the US today. Countervailing legislation (H.R. 4033 / S.2870, 'Sturgeon Conservation and Sustainability Act of 2025') would exempt farm-raised captive sturgeon if passed. Second-generation+ hybrids with non-listed species would be exempt from the listing.

CITES Appendix II — international trade requires documentation. Wild harvest is banned; all commercial product is farmed.

At a menu

The Caspian original — prized abroad, rarely a US menu option.

Similar varieties
Taste it tonight

Setting the table? The Caviar Service

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Common questions

What does Ossetra, Iranian (Caspian) taste like?

The Caspian original, harvested from its native waters. Wild-managed Iranian Ossetra carries a mineral edge absent from farmed versions — the terroir of the ancient sea is unmistakable. Nutty, briny, complex, with a long mineral close. On Roemance's 1–5 scale it rates salinity 3, butteriness 3, nuttiness 5, umami 4, and complexity 5, with a nutty finish and a firm texture.

What should I drink with Ossetra, Iranian (Caspian)?

Vintage Champagne, Dry Riesling, Chablis Premier Cru, Chilled vodka.

Is Ossetra, Iranian (Caspian) legal to buy in the United States?

No. Iranian / Caspian product is generally not available in the US. Farmed Ossetra from Italy or France is the legal alternative.

Where does Ossetra, Iranian (Caspian) come from?

Ossetra, Iranian (Caspian) is wild-managed / Caspian in Southern Caspian Sea, Iran (Iran), from Acipenser gueldenstaedtii, cured malossol and graded royal.

Does Ossetra, Iranian (Caspian) work on blini?

Not ideally — A purist's caviar, best appreciated completely alone. The mineral finish is easily lost under dairy or starch.