Ossetra caviar (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) has a firmer shell, a nuttier flavor, and a lower price. Luxe Caviar's Crystal Beluga sold under the trade name "River Beluga" and listed as Huso dauricus on its product page has a softer texture, a creamier and more buttery flavor, and a higher price. Here is how the two actually compare, and what you are really buying when you order "Beluga" from a Canadian retailer.
A Note on the Name "Beluga"
True Beluga caviar comes from Huso huso, a sturgeon native to the Caspian Sea and Black Sea. Luxe Caviar's Crystal Beluga product page lists its species as Huso dauricus — the Kaluga sturgeon, native to the Amur River basin in Russia and China. Kaluga is Beluga's closest relative in the genus Huso, and "River Beluga" is a commercial name commonly used in the caviar trade for Kaluga roe, likely because of its similar size and rich, buttery quality. It is not the same species as true Caspian Beluga, even though it is sold under the Beluga name.
This naming convention applies specifically to how Kaluga roe is marketed as "river beluga," not to broader claims about caviar trade practices generally — worth knowing if you are comparing this product to true Beluga from the Caspian region.
At a Glance
| Feature | Crystal Beluga (River Beluga) | Royal Ossetra |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific species | Huso dauricus (Kaluga sturgeon), per product page | Acipenser gueldenstaedtii |
| Origin (per product listing) | Amur River | Caspian Sea (species' native range, per listing) |
| Egg size (per product listing) | 3.2mm and greater | 3mm and greater |
| Color (per product listing) | Not specified | Dark brown to golden bronze |
| Flavor (per product listing) | Bold, smooth, rich, creamy, mild umami | Robust, nutty, creamy |
| Regular price, 30g (checked Sept 23, 2026) | $198 CAD | $138 CAD |
| Sourcing (per Luxe Caviar) | Farmed | Farmed |
| Pasteurized (per site FAQ) | No | No |
Prices and specs above are taken from Luxe Caviar's Crystal Beluga and Royal Ossetra product pages at the time of writing and may change.
What You're Actually Buying: River Beluga (Kaluga)
Luxe Caviar's Crystal Beluga Caviar is listed on its product page as Kaluga sturgeon (Huso dauricus) roe, farmed and sourced from the Amur River basin. According to the product listing, the eggs run 3.2mm or greater, with a flavor described as bold and smooth, rich and creamy, with a hint of umami. Kaluga is prized for many of the same qualities buyers associate with true Beluga a large egg and a soft shell which is why the "river beluga" name is used for it commercially.
Ossetra Caviar
Luxe Caviar's Royal Ossetra Caviar comes from Acipenser gueldenstaedtii, the species traditionally associated with Ossetra and historically fished from the Caspian Sea. The product listing states "Caspian Sea" as the origin; this describes the species' native range rather than a confirmed current farm location, which Luxe Caviar's listing does not specify. Per the product listing, eggs run 3mm and greater, ranging from dark brown to golden bronze, with a robust, nutty, creamy flavor profile.
Price: Why the Gap Exists
At current listed prices, Beluga (River Beluga) runs about $60 CAD more per 30g than Ossetra. Within the Huso genus, sturgeon are generally understood to mature more slowly and produce roe less frequently than smaller Acipenser species this is well documented for wild Beluga (Huso huso) biology, though Luxe Caviar does not publish specific growth or yield data for its own farmed stock. The price difference is consistent with that general pattern in the sturgeon caviar market, rather than a claim specific to this supplier's fish.
Which One Should You Choose?
This comes down to personal preference more than a right answer.
- If you tend to prefer a softer, milder, more buttery caviar eaten on its own, River Beluga is the more likely fit based on its listed flavor profile.
- If you prefer a firmer egg and a bolder, nuttier flavor or you're pairing caviar with blinis, eggs, or pasta Ossetra's profile tends to work well in that role.
- If budget matters and you want to try premium caviar without the highest price point, Ossetra is the lower-cost option at $138 CAD versus $198 CAD for 30g.
Taste is subjective and egg size, salt level, and individual tins can vary batch to batch, so treat this as a starting point rather than a guarantee.
Serving and Storage
Serving: Per the FAQ on Luxe Caviar's product pages, caviar is best served at -3°C to 0°C (26°F to 32°F), in glass or crystal, using mother-of-pearl, bone, or gold spoons rather than metal.
Storage: Serving temperature is separate from fridge storage. Luxe Caviar's product pages and FAQ say to refrigerate caviar immediately on delivery and store it between -2°C and 4°C (28°F to 36°F), ideally in the coldest part of the fridge. Unopened tins can be refrigerated for up to 28 days (check the expiration date), and opened tins are best consumed within 10 days.
On freezing: Luxe Caviar states that unopened caviar can be frozen in its original sealed tin and thawed in the refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours before serving. Its own product pages note that freezing may affect texture and flavor. This is Luxe Caviar's guidance for its product, not a universal recommendation some caviar producers advise against freezing altogether. If you're unsure, check directly with the supplier before freezing a tin.
Sourcing and Regulatory Status
All sturgeon and paddlefish species, including both Huso dauricus (used for River Beluga) and Acipenser gueldenstaedtii (Ossetra), have been listed under CITES Appendix II since 1998. This listing applies to international trade importing or exporting specimens and products across borders not to every domestic retail sale within a country. If a shipment of caviar is imported into Canada, that import requires CITES documentation at that point; a domestic purchase by a Canadian customer from a Canadian retailer does not itself require the buyer to hold a separate permit. Some streamlined provisions exist under CITES for farmed and aquaculture-raised specimens, though which specific provisions apply to Luxe Caviar's supply chain are not published and are not confirmed here.
Luxe Caviar's FAQ page states its products are farmed and carry a CITES seal. This reflects the retailer's own claim of compliance with CITES documentation requirements; it has not been independently verified against CITES paperwork for this business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Luxe Caviar's "Beluga" the same as true Beluga caviar?
No. Its product page lists it as Huso dauricus (Kaluga sturgeon), commercially sold as "River Beluga." True Beluga caviar comes from Huso huso, native to the Caspian and Black Sea.
Why is River Beluga more expensive than Ossetra?
Based on the general biology of Huso genus sturgeon, they tend to mature more slowly and yield roe less often than Acipenser species like Ossetra, which is consistent with the price gap, though exact figures for this supplier's farmed stock are not published.
Can Ossetra be substituted for River Beluga in a recipe?
Yes, for most uses. Its firmer texture and nutty flavor hold up well in dishes where caviar is paired with other ingredients rather than eaten alone.
Is this caviar pasteurized?
No. Per Luxe Caviar's FAQ page, the caviar is unpasteurized to preserve its natural flavor, texture, and nutrients.
Can this caviar be used for sushi or sashimi?
Yes. Per Luxe Caviar's FAQ page, both are suited to sushi and sashimi preparations as well as being eaten on their own.
Is this caviar CITES-certified?
Both species are CITES Appendix II-listed, which governs international trade rather than domestic retail sales. Luxe Caviar states on its FAQ page that its products come with a CITES seal; this is the retailer's stated claim rather than something independently verified here.
Where can I buy River Beluga and Ossetra caviar in Canada?
Both are available through Luxe Caviar's sturgeon caviar collection, with delivery to Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. Luxe Caviar ships within Canada only, and orders over $299 CAD ship free.
For more on sourcing and other sturgeon varieties carried by Luxe Caviar, see the sturgeon caviar in Canada guide, or the caviar FAQ page for additional storage and serving details. Ready to try both? Shop the Crystal Beluga (River Beluga) or Royal Ossetra both ship across Canada in temperature-controlled, insulated packaging, and orders over $299 CAD ship free.
