The Caviar lifetime: From ordinary to luxury

Not every fairytale starts as bright and shiny as it ends. The world’s most extravagant and highly valued delicacy also has its story. For those of you with special impulse to the word caviar, we recommend a frozen glass of Champaign and a time to relax with the legendary dish in the history.

The Medieval times mark the first trace of caviar consumption, served to the Mongol‘s Batu Khan when conquering the region around Moscow. This first mentioning of caviar feast dates back 1240 and it happens just half a century prior the official sanctioning of caviar, sturgeon, and other fishes as acceptable by the Russian Orthodox Church during the long periods of fasting. During this historical period the consumption of caviar was related to the rules of the influential institution of the Church. Everyone from the common peasant to the aristocracy member would have to follow the strict fasts and prevent themselves from enjoying any meat for more than half a year. During the 13th Century sturgeon was preferred by many Russians as the best substitution of meat, which resulted in an exceptionally high price, not affordable for the lower social classes. In order to remain faithful followers of the Orthodox Church the poor started to include the roe of the sturgeon to their fasting meals.

Caviar was considered the food of the masses, until one day during the reign of Peter the Great, his wife Catharine the Great served it as a festivity food at one of the banquets she hosted. This was the end of the caviar’s miserable life; it has been introduced to the Russian court and welcomed to the world of abundance, extraordinary luxury, and fabulous aristocratic future.  Peter the Great also played an important role for the popularization of the most scarce and delicate food in the Western world. He offered a taste of caviar to King Louis XV of France, whose first reaction to the fish roe was more than unpleasant. Spitting out the black beads on the carpet of the Versailles Palace didn’t change the destiny of caviar to become the most desirable, expensive and rare food, which only rich and influence enjoy.

The 19th Century’s technological achievements allowed caviar to enter the elegant and stylish homes of Europe. Royal families and nobilities in Western Europe, highly influenced by the exotic and mystic lifestyle of the Russian aristocracy, recognized caviar as the most exclusive dish to be served on their tables.

Caviar became a social status barometer. Respectfully, its price rose up and lined it up as the most expensive food one can order. Many fisheries have been established along the Russian and Iranian Caspian Coast, in order to satisfy the demand for the black gold. Experienced, just few centuries ago as a food for everyone in Russia, caviar became the King’s food, which only selected people can taste and indulge in.