Kenoz currently breeds 3 species of sturgeon: Beluga, Oscietra and Sevruga. They produce the 3 most valuable varieties of caviar in the world. We invite you to learn about the most cherished of these wonderful fish: Beluga.
It is the largest among the 27 species of sturgeon and the largest of freshwater fish. It is native to the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea, and migrates upriver through the Danubio and Volga rivers to spawn. It is the most valuable and expensive species of sturgeon, for several reasons: its sexual maturity takes between 15 to 17 years (almost 9 years more than Sevruga and 8 years more than Oscietra) and its eggs are exceptionally large, which makes them more exquisite in contact to the palate.
When reaching maturity, Beluga can measure over 1,80 metres and weigh around 50 kilograms, and yet the fish can keep growing. The largest sturgeon ever recorded was a Beluga of 7,2 metres long that weighed 1571 kilograms.
It usually displays a dark grey loin and cream coloured belly, with 5 rows of large scutes. There are some very unusual cases of albino Beluga sturgeons recorded, which are completely white and produce the most expensive caviar in the world: Almas. This very rare ivory white caviar is sold in pure gold cans.
Beluga can be easily recognized not only by its size but also by its iconic elongated and pointy snout (which resembles an “upturned nose”) and large mouth that expands forward to suck its food.
Its eggs are larger than those of related species, which gives its caviar a unique flavour and taste that makes it one of the most expensive foods in the world.
At Kenoz we began with the breeding of the Beluga species in 2018, and we expect to have our own production of this variety of caviar by the year 2034. This is still a long time from now, but we know it is worth the wait.
