Azerbaijan: The 'black gold' caviar on the dining table

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Europe

For foodies, sturgeon caviar is dubbed the king of the dining table, representing not only a first-class gustatory experience, but also luxury and status, especially the sturgeon caviar from the Caspian Sea and Black Sea.

Located at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, Azerbaijan sits along the southwestern bank of the Caspian Sea. It is therefore one of the most authentic sturgeon caviar makers in the world.

The caviar of the Caspian Sea sturgeons could be priced at around 830 U.S. dollars per kilo in Moscow, which could be at 5,000 U.S. dollars per kilo in the UK. It's not wonder that the caviar is called “black gold” by many.

Black caviar, also called "black gold" by many. /VCG Photo

Black caviar. /VCG Photo

"Black gold". /VCG Photo

It is also dubbed the kind of the dining table. /VCG Photo

However, the demand for caviar has also led to the endangering of the sturgeons, especially in areas along the Caspian Sea, where the species was once on the brink of extinction.

In 1997, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) approved quotas for Caspian Sea sturgeon catching and caviar exports in 2003, a regulation supported by the countries in the region.

The Azerbaijani government also amended its law, ruling that foreign visitors could only buy the sturgeon caviar in licensed shops at international airports, and a maximum of 125 grams are allowed to be brought while leaving the country.

The best way to eat caviar is simple: put the fresh caviar onto a piece of toast together with a thick piece of butter. With a shot of vodka, it could make your day.

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