Many people will never get to try expensive food such as caviar and truffle in their lifetime, and this is often down to the cost. So, which of these incredibly pricey delicacies is the most expensive?
Well, if you are comparing truffle with the most expensive and highly prized Beluga caviar, it is the caviar that will cost you more, particularly Almas Beluga caviar. In fact, you could end up paying many thousands of dollars for just 2lb of this delicacy.
In this article, we will learn more about both of these delicacies and why they are so expensive.
The Reason Why Caviar Is So Expensive
While most of us have heard of caviar and have an idea of what it is, many have never tried it themselves. For some, it is the fact that they simply do not wish to try it but for many others, it is all down to cost.
So, why is this delicacy so expensive, with some variations being more expensive than others? Well, this is because of the rarity of the fish family that the fish roe – or eggs – are taken from.
Caviar is basically salted fish roe that comes exclusively from fish from the sturgeon family. There are 27 fish in this group, and this is a species that is close to extinction.
The rarity of the fish in the sturgeon family is one of the reasons why caviar is so expensive. However, another reason is the time it takes to harvest them and to produce the fish roe.
Beluga is the most expensive, and this is because it takes Beluga sturgeons two decades to reach maturity so the fish roe can be harvested. This type of caviar is often referred to as black gold and comes with a very high price tag.
There also another even more expensive variation of Beluga caviar called Almas Beluga caviar, and with this one, the fish is 60-100 years old when the fish roe is harvested. This fish roe comes from albino Beluga sturgeons, and these are particularly rare.
Farmers that produce caviar have had to kill the fish to obtain their eggs in the past. This drove prices up even more because it meant waiting for years for young sturgeons to mature ready for harvesting.
However, there is now a no-kill process that uses ultrasound to view the eggs and see when they are ready. The fish is then given a special protein that basically induces labor so the eggs can be accessed.
With the no-kill process, it is hoped that the population of this particular fish family can be increased. In addition, it could help to make life easier for the farmers, which could result in a drop in prices.
Reasons Why Truffles Cost So Much
Truffles have become a big deal in the culinary world over the years, and they are favored by chefs that create fine dining dishes. The most coveted of the truffle family is the white truffle, and this can cost several thousand dollars for just 1lb.
The distinct flavor and strong aroma of these truffles can help to transform dishes, which is why top chefs love to use them. However, they are not easy to come by, and this is why they are so expensive.
White truffles are only available during the fall, and they grow mostly in a particular part of Italy. Many factors can contribute toward whether the truffles grow as they should and how many of them grow.
In addition to this, it is very difficult for the necessary conditions to be replicated, which makes it difficult for them to be farmed. All of these factors contribute to the scarcity and expense of white truffles.
When it comes to finding these elusive wild underground fungi, female pigs are often used because they are attracted to the smell of them. However, some people also use specially trained dogs because the pigs were too eager to eat their findings!
There are other types of truffles aside from white ones, including black truffles which are the most affordable ones. These are not as difficult to find and are accessible for an extended amount of time each year compared to white truffles.
Delicacies for the Rich and Decadent
While there are stark differences between these two costly delicacies, one thing they have in common is huge popularity among the rich and decadent. For those who can afford to splash out big money at high-end restaurants, caviar and dishes with truffles have become firm favorites.