The quality of caviar obviously depends on the origin and the type of preparation, as well as the care taken during the preparation stage.

    Almas Golden caviar: Either the eggs of the albino sturgeon or those of an Oscietre sturgeon of at least 60 years of age. The flavors respectively are light and delicate or creamy and subtle.

    Beluga: These large sturgeon are now extremely rare. Beluga eggs are the largest and are light grey to nearly black with a fine skin that melts in the mouth. The flavor is delicately fishy.

    Kaluga: One of the largest sturgeon species comes from the Amur and Liman Rivers in China. Commonly known as Kaluga, it resembles the Beluga and matures at around eighteen to twenty years of age. An average fish weighs around 80 kg (176 lb) and is about 2.3 m (7 1/2 ft) in length. The eggs from the Kaluga may be acceptable if they are fresh. The eggs are similar in size to those of a young Oscietre and are processed with up to 6% salt.

    Malossol: means "lightly salted" in Russian, although today the term has come to mean any high-quality caviar. Traditionally only eggs that are in prime condition are prepared and labeled in this way. It takes great expertise to judge at what stage a sturgeon's eggs are absolutely right for this process, which should not contain more than 2.8-3% salt. In the US and Iran pure salt is used, but in Russia and some eastern countries a small amount of legally permitted borax is added, which many experts believe helps to preserve the caviar and enhances its natural flavor by sweetening it slightly.

    Oscietre: These sturgeons produce the widest range of eggs. The eggs fade from dark golden to a pale amber as the fishes age and tend to have a subtle "walnuts and cream" flavor.

    Pasteurized caviar: Caviar is put into glass jars, sealed, then placed in water baths at a constant temperature of about 60°C (140°F). The jars are normally labeled in the traditional colors: Sevruga with a red label, Oscietre with a yellow label and Beluga with a blue one.
    If pasteurization is correctly carried out there should be no discernible change in the eggs' flavor, although they can become firmer.
    Pasteurized caviar will keep unrefrigerated for up to one year but, once opened, needs to be consumed within a few days.

    Pressed caviar: This has a very salty, fishy taste. In the past pressing was the first known method of preserving sturgeon roe. Nowadays it is normally made from Sevruga or Oscietre that has been damaged in processing. Immature or overripe eggs are also used for this purpose. It takes 6 kg (15 lb) to make 1 kg (2/4 lb) of pressed caviar.
    Before refrigeration, pressed caviar was very expensive, because it could be preserved for a long period. Today it should cost around the same as Sevruga, or slightly less.
    The Russian term for pressed caviar is payusnaya ikra. Pressed caviar is difficult to find outside Russia, but many connoisseurs claim that it is their favorite form of caviar, as it has such a dense, strong flavor. It is definitely an acquired taste.

    Schipp: Schipp is the result of cross-breeding a Sevruga with a Sterlet. It is sometimes sold commercially, but is usually packaged as either Sevruga or Oscietre, depending on the egg size, although its eggs are often less firm than those of its parent fish.

    Sevruga: These are the smallest sturgeon whose grey-black eggs are fine grained. They taste distinctively salty. Sevruga is the least expensive, yet highly prized for the unique flavor.

    Sterlet: The Sterlet is similar to, but smaller than, the average Sevruga and has been known to reach 1.25 m (4 ft) and weigh 16 kg (55 lb).
    Fifty years ago 700 tonnes were caught in an average year. Now they are very rare. Although it is no longer caught in commercial quantities, Sterlet is a very important fish as far as propagation is concerned, breeding and cross-breeding successfully in warm water with other species of sturgeon, which makes it vital for the future of the species.
    The Sterlet is often mentioned historically, having been popular at all kinds of feasts and banquets, especially as caviar soup