What is Beluga Caviar?
Beluga caviar is the rarest and most celebrated caviar in the world, produced from the Huso huso sturgeon — one of the largest freshwater fish on earth. Known for its extraordinarily large, steel-grey pearls and uniquely silky, melt-in-the-mouth texture, Beluga has been prized by connoisseurs for centuries. It is the pinnacle of fine caviar.
Why is Beluga Caviar So Rare?
The rarity of Beluga caviar comes down to time. The Huso huso sturgeon takes between 15 and 25 years to reach full maturity — longer than any other caviar species. Wild Beluga from the Caspian Sea has been commercially banned under CITES since 2005 due to overfishing. All Beluga caviar available today comes from licensed aquaculture farms, where the long production cycle, strict welfare standards, and limited global supply keep prices high.
Our Royal Beluga is sourced from accredited farms in Greece, China, and Italy, supplied under full UK CITES documentation. Every tin is traceable from farm to packing.
What Does Beluga Caviar Taste Like?
Beluga caviar has a distinctively gentle, creamy flavour — less intensely briny than smaller-grained caviars. The large pearls (typically 3–3.5mm in diameter) burst softly on the palate, releasing a rich, buttery taste with a long, delicate finish. There is no harshness, no sharp salinity — just a clean, refined creaminess that lingers.
Compared to Oscietra, Beluga is more subtle and less nutty. Compared to Baerii, it is smoother and more refined. It is the most understated of the prestige caviars, and the most elegant.
How to Serve Beluga Caviar
Serve chilled, directly from the tin placed on crushed ice. Bring it to the table around 5–10 minutes before eating so the cold is just barely taking the edge off — Beluga should be cold, not frozen.
Always use a mother-of-pearl spoon. Metal spoons react with the eggs and add an unpleasant metallic note that overwhelms Beluga's delicate flavour. Horn, bone, or non-metallic spoons are all acceptable alternatives.
For accompaniments, keep it simple. Warm buckwheat blinis and crème fraîche are the classic pairing. Softly scrambled eggs or plain buttered toast also work beautifully. Resist the temptation to overload accompaniments — with Beluga, the caviar should be the centrepiece, not a topping.
How Much Beluga Caviar Do You Need?
As a canapé or taste: 5–7g per person. As a dedicated tasting course: 15–20g per person. Our 30g tin serves two guests comfortably for a tasting; a 50g tin is ideal for four as a starter course.
For a special occasion or gift, a 50g tin of Royal Beluga alongside a 50g tin of Royal Kaluga — as in our Beluga Experience Gift Set — gives a considered comparison of the world's two most prestigious caviars.
How Much Does Beluga Caviar Cost?
Beluga caviar is the most expensive caviar available, reflecting the rarity of the Huso huso species and the years required to raise the fish to maturity. At The Caviar Bar, Royal Beluga starts from £74.40 for 30g — roughly £2.48 per gram.
For context, Oscietra starts from £14 for 10g (£1.40/g) and Royal Baerii from £12 for 10g (£1.20/g). Beluga's premium is real, but for a milestone occasion the experience is genuinely unlike anything else.
See our full caviar price guide for all sizes and species.
Beluga vs Kaluga — What is the Difference?
Kaluga caviar comes from the Huso dauricus, a close relative of the Beluga sturgeon found in rivers rather than the sea. The pearls are similar in size (3–3.5mm), the texture is equally silky, and the flavour is very close — buttery and refined, with slightly more depth than Beluga. Many tasters find it difficult to distinguish the two in a blind tasting. Kaluga is typically priced 15–20% lower than Beluga, making it an excellent alternative for those who want the Beluga experience at a slightly more accessible price. See our Royal Kaluga.
Buy Beluga Caviar Online UK
The Caviar Bar offers Royal Beluga Caviar from 30g to 500g, freshly packed to order and delivered chilled across the UK. Free same-day delivery across Central London on orders over £120. Free nationwide next-day delivery on all orders over £120.
New to caviar? Read our beginner's guide to choosing your first caviar before you buy.
