Does it get more luxurious than caviar? It’s thought that sturgeon roe, or caviar first made it to Europe in the 10th Century as large-scale trading began between the Byzantine Empire and the Kievan Rus’. The valuable roe quickly became a darling of royal families and the nobility alike. Today, caviar is synonymous with wealth and of course, carries a lofty price tag to match, but as with many items in the luxury space, bad actors roam at large. Over-harvesting, cruel practices and fraudulent product remains an issue. To avoid this, it’s always best to use a trusted supplier. N25 Caviar is a leading light in the industry and in recent years has certainly been making a name for itself, so much so that many of the finest chefs in the world are beginning to use its caviar.
From its headquarters just outside Munich, Germany, N25 Caviar develops a product that has been welcomed into the world of haute cuisine with open arms. The trick to being so widely adopted? Quality, consistency and maintaining exemplary high standards.
The crux of achieving such high standards is a no-compromise quality control process, with N25 wearing its German roots on its sleeve as the brand strives for perfection. Each tin of N25 goes through a four-step process that involves selection, grading, and quality checks. Once deemed up to standard, and only then, does the tin receive its official N25 label.
Far more than a simple brand logo, the rear of this label also features a unique N25 ID. Allowing the contents of each tin to be traced all the way from sturgeon to tin, in addition to further detailing the characteristics of the product, providing information on flavor, grain size, roe color and texture.
A further area N25 Caviar reveals its dedication to quality is the aging process. Caviar undergoes several stages until it’s ready to be eaten, with one of the most important being aging. In order to enhance the natural flavors without overpowering them, N25 Caviar uses mineral salt to cure its roe, this also draws out moisture giving the caviar far superior aging potential.
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Following this, the caviar is aged in sub-zero temperatures, it’s at this point that the unique and complex flavor profile of the roe is developed. How long the caviar is aged varies considerably depending on which species of sturgeon it comes from and the exact profile N25 is looking to achieve. However, those who get to try it should expect a balance of nuttiness, savoriness and umami.
There are nine different caviars to select in the N25 lineup, these range from the more affordable to some seriously premium offerings. To keep things simple, here are two options that cover both sides.
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N25 Oscietra Caviar
Coming from the Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii), Oscietra is one of the most sought-after varieties of caviar. As one of the more affordable options in N25’s lineup, at £90 ($115) for 30g (1oz) N25 Oscietra Caviar is still a truly premium product. This size is referred to by N25 as ‘A glimpse of pleasure,’ customers can also opt for larger tins like 50g ‘Indulgence for one’ or 125g ‘Perfect for two’.
This variety is fabled for its intricate flavor and subtle nutty essence, a big reason why decorated chefs regularly use it in dishes. The N25’s sturgeons take 18 years to mature before they reach the ideal moment to harvest producing a roe in an exquisite hazel to golden brown color.
N25 Kaluga Caviar
At the more elevated end of the lineup, we enter serious caviar territory. Sometimes referred to as river beluga, Kaluga sturgeon (Huso dauricus) is the second largest fish in the sturgeon family with some reaching up to 2200lbs. Due to their size, they also produce some of the largest caviar eggs, ensuring this variety is particularly popular. N25 sells their Kaluga Caviar for £180 ($230) for a 30g tin.
Expect large roe in a hazelnut color that’s on the firmer side, but still delicate. The flavor is similarly refined, bringing plenty of umami and a long aftertaste.
Ideal for elevating any dish or dinner party, these caviar represent some of the finest options available on the market today.
To learn more about N25 Caviar, visit n25caviar.com
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