Quick answer
Caviar grades describe the species and selection behind a tin: pearl size, colour, texture and flavour, from approachable Baeri at AED 525 per 50g up through Osetra, Imperial, Golden Imperial and the Beluga grades, with Caspian Black Beluga from AED 850.
"Grade" is one of the most-used and least-explained words in caviar. Here is a plain guide to what it means, how the range at Crown Caviars is laid out, and how to pick the grade that suits your table.
What a caviar grade tells you
A grade is shorthand for the sturgeon species and the selection behind a tin. It points to the pearl size, the colour, the texture and the flavour you can expect, and it is the main reason one tin costs more than another.
Names vary between producers, so read the description of each variety rather than relying on the label alone. Below, each grade is described the way it is presented at Crown Caviars.
The range, from approachable to rare
Baeri: deep gray to black pearls with a nutty, mild flavour and a smooth, velvety texture. It is the most accessible tin, from AED 525 per 50g.
Russian Asetra (Osetra): golden to brownish pearls with a rich, buttery flavour and hints of earthiness, from AED 575 per 50g.
Imperial: radiant golden pearls with a bold, nutty flavour and a silky texture, hand-selected from the finest sturgeons.
Golden Imperial: shimmering golden pearls with a velvety, buttery taste, hand-selected for superior quality.
Hybrid: a fusion of sturgeon species with pearls from gray to golden and a complex, balanced flavour.
Beluga grades: Kaluga Queen, Royal Beluga, Caspian Gray Beluga and Caspian Black Beluga, with large pearls, a buttery, creamy flavour and a soft texture. Caspian Black Beluga starts from AED 850 per 50g.
How to choose a grade
For a first tasting or a relaxed gathering, Baeri or Osetra are excellent: they are genuine sturgeon caviar with an easy, rounded flavour. For a milestone dinner or a statement gift, step up to Imperial, Golden Imperial or one of the Beluga grades.
Whatever the grade, serve it well chilled with a mother-of-pearl spoon (from AED 80). Luxury presentation boxes start from AED 175, and every tin is dispatched refrigerated across Dubai, the UAE and the GCC.
Caviar prices at Crown Caviars
| Caviar | From (50g) |
|---|---|
| Baeri | AED 525 |
| Russian Asetra | AED 575 |
| Imperial | AED 625 |
| Kaluga Beluga | AED 675 |
| Royal Beluga | AED 775 |
| Caspian Black Beluga | AED 850 |
| Caspian Gray Beluga | AED 950 |
| Caviar Hybrid | AED 1,100 |
| Golden Imperial | AED 1,250 |
Prices are VAT-inclusive, in AED. Caviar tins are also available in 125g, 250g, 500g and 1kg.
Frequently asked
What are the different grades of caviar?
At Crown Caviars the range runs from Baeri and Russian Asetra (Osetra) through Imperial, Golden Imperial and Hybrid to the Beluga grades: Kaluga Queen, Royal Beluga, Caspian Gray Beluga and Caspian Black Beluga.
Does a higher grade always taste better?
Not necessarily. A different grade means a different profile and a more selective tin, not a universally better one. Mild, nutty Baeri suits many palates, while Beluga grades are buttery and creamy.
How much does caviar cost by grade?
At Crown Caviars, Baeri starts from AED 525 per 50g, Russian Asetra from AED 575 and Caspian Black Beluga from AED 850. See the price table for every grade and tin size.
Which caviar grade is best for a first tasting?
Baeri is the easiest place to start, with a mild, nutty flavour and a smooth texture.