Some facts about Almas caviar
Almas means "diamond" in Russian or Persian. This product is certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most expensive food in the world. Its main ingredient is the roe of albino beluga sturgeon over one hundred years old, and the product is packaged in a 24-karat gold tin.
Product Characteristics
Almas caviar is light in color, white or pale yellow; its roe is large and round. Its texture is firm and elastic, with a nutty and creamy aroma. This caviar has a low salt content and approximately 74 calories per ounce.
Ingredient Origin
The ingredient in Almas caviar is obtained from the albino beluga sturgeon, an endangered species from the Caspian Sea. The albino beluga sturgeon is the largest fish in the sturgeon and paddlefish family and the only carnivorous one. This fish, which dates back to the time of the dinosaurs, has survived for at least 1.2 billion years without undergoing morphological changes.
The sturgeon and paddlefish used to produce Almas caviar must be over one hundred years old, making them even rarer. The albino beluga sturgeon only inhabits the area of the Caspian Sea in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Production Process
To process sturgeon roe and turn it into caviar, more than ten steps must be completed within fifteen minutes. First, the sturgeon is stunned, as it would reflexively secrete a large amount of adrenaline, which would ruin the caviar's delicious original flavor. Then, after the roe is harvested, it is sifted, washed, and filtered to remove excess moisture. Next, a caviar expert assesses its quality by smelling, tasting, observing, and feeling the roe, determines its grade, and decides the amount of salt to add. Generally, the highest quality roe receives less salt. Finally, the caviar is packed in tins, transported frozen, and distributed to various destinations.
Consumption Method
To consume Almas caviar, a shell spoon should be used, as a metal spoon would severely damage its aroma. The recommended way to enjoy it is to take a spoonful with the shell spoon, place it in your mouth, gently spread it on your tongue, and then slowly crush each piece, one by one, with the tip of your tongue.
"Almas" means "diamond" in Persian, a name that couldn't be more fitting for the world's most expensive caviar. The price of Almas caviar from the Islamic Republic of Iran is beyond the reach of most: 32 ounces cost a staggering $23,308. To match its exceptional value, the packaging jars are crafted from solid 24-karat gold.
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Almas caviar regularly sells for $34,500 per kilogram, making it the most expensive food in the world. A standard 32-ounce box (approximately 907 grams) is priced at around $23,308. Its price can reach $25,000 per kilogram or exceed $50,000 per kilogram. A small jar (approximately 1 ounce) costs around $1,250. In the Chinese market, a 32-ounce box of Almas caviar is worth approximately 150,000 yuan.
Brand and Distributors
The initial exclusive worldwide distributor of Almas caviar was Caviar House & Prunier, a company founded in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1950, which moved its headquarters to Geneva, Switzerland, in 1981.
In 2010, Beijing Meiliang Food Co., Ltd. created the Royal Almas brand and became the sole worldwide owner and authorized distributor of wild Iranian sturgeon caviar (including Beluga and Asetra grades).
Market and Production
Annual production of Almas caviar is 8 to 13 kilograms. The Iranian government implements state control over sturgeon fisheries, managing everything from capture and processing to quotas and sales at the national level to ensure caviar quality.
The product is transported in refrigerated vehicles and supplied to select luxury establishments worldwide. After 2010, Iranian wild caviar entered the Chinese market.
