Kura River
History
The Koura is 1515 kilometres long, rising in Turkey and flowing into the Caspian Sea south of Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. It is on this river, 200 kilometres from the Iranian border, that our farm is located, in a former fish-stocking centre. The Koura is one of the historic breeding grounds for wild sturgeon in the Caspian Sea.
The
species
Osciètre: found in the wild in the Caspian Sea and the Danube, it is also farmed in countries such as China, Italy, Germany and Uruguay. Reaching maturity at 10-11 years of age, it can live to be 50 years old and weigh over 20 kilos. Exceptionally fine, its amber-coloured caviar reveals notes of hazelnut on the mid-palate.
Beluga (Huso Huso): the largest of the sturgeons! In the wild, it can grow up to 5 metres long and weigh over a tonne. Rather rare, it is found in the depths of the Caspian Sea, but is farmed in Iran, Bulgaria and China. With its large grain and pearl-grey colour, this is caviar par excellence! It has an incomparable consistency and a flavour that combines hints of hazelnut with buttery notes.
Sevruga: one of the smallest species of sturgeon! Also farmed in Bulgaria, Italy and the United States, it lives in the wild in the Caspian and Black Seas. The Acipenser stellatus, or star sturgeon, reaches maturity at the age of 8 and produces small eggs, varying from light grey to anthracite grey. This caviar, with its powerful flavour, is one of the rarest, and therefore one of the most sought-after! What makes it so special is its inimitable melt-in-the-mouth texture, its creamy density and its buttery, nutty flavour.
