What is the Difference Between Caviar and Roe

The main difference between caviar and roe is that caviar is eggs that come from the sturgeon family of fish, while roe is the fully ripe, unfertilized eggs from fish and some marine animals.

Both caviar and roe are fish eggs. Roe refers to the ripe, unfertilized eggs from fish and some marine animals. Caviar is a type of roe, but not all roe is caviar.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Caviar
     – Definition, Types
2. What is Roe
     – Definition, Features
3. What is the Difference Between Caviar and Roe
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Caviar, Roe

What is Caviar

Caviar is cured eggs of the sturgeon (family Acipenseridae) family of fish. Sturgeon are saltwater anadromous fish, so they move from saltwater to freshwater to spawn. They are also native to Caspian and Black Seas. Traditionally, the most prized types of caviar came from these seas, but now caviar is produced all around the world due to overfishing. Moreover, caviar is cured or processed fish eggs – uncured roe is sometimes called green eggs.

Figure 01: Caviar

Caviar is a highly valued delicacy. Some types of caviar are highly expensive. Caviar is used as s a garnish or a spread. It is also eaten raw. Raw caviar is typically served on a caviar spoon made with bone or pearl because silver or metal spoons can add a metallic taste to it. Caviar usually has a salty taste, but saltiness will actually depend on the variety of caviar. Smaller eggs have a buttery and slightly sweet taste. They may sometimes have a nutty taste as well. Some varieties of caviar have a more brine or fish flavour compared to other varieties.

There are different varieties of caviar. They are classified according to the type of fish, size and texture of eggs, and flavour. The most expensive caviar is from beluga and osetra varieties of sturgeon. Moreover, there are also two grades of caviar as grade 1 and grade 2. Grade 1 includes firm, large eggs that are intact, while grade 2 includes less perfectly formed and less delicate eggs. Grade 1 caviar is more expensive than grade 2.

What is Roe

Roe is the fully ripe eggs of fish and some marine animals. It can be unfertilized internal egg masses present in the ovaries or the released egg masses of fish and marine animals like shrimp, lobsters, scallops, and sea urchins. Basically, the word roe refers to all unfertilized eggs of marine animals. Caviar is a type of roe, but not all roe is caviar. Caviar mainly comes from sturgeon fish.

Figure 02: Roe vs Caviar

Roe is a type of seafood used in many different dishes. It can be eaten raw or cooked. Salmon roe, Tobiko roe, trout roe, paddlefish, Masago, and Bowfin are some common types of fish roe.

Difference Between Caviar and Roe

Definition

Caviar is cured eggs of the sturgeon (family Acipenseridae) family of fish, while roe is the fully ripe eggs of fish and some marine animals.

Type of Fish

The caviar comes from sturgeon fish, whereas roe come from different types of fish and marine animals like shrimp, scallops, lobsters, and sea urchins.

Conclusion

The main difference between caviar and roe is that caviar is eggs that come from the sturgeon family of fish, while roe is the fully ripe, unfertilized eggs from fish and some marine animals. Caviar is a type of roe, but not all roe is caviar.

Reference:

1. Filippone, Peggy Trowbridge. “What Is Caviar?” The Spruce Eats, Available here.
2. “Roe.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 27 Nov. 2020, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Black caviar on a chicken eggs and parsley” By Marco Verch (CC BY 2.0) via Foto.wuestenigel.com
2. “Caviar spoons” By THOR – originally posted to Flickr as Caviar (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia