Fish

Beluga

S tier

Beluga sturgeon (Huso huso) is the giant Caspian–Black Sea species whose pale, large-bead caviar defined luxury for centuries. The flesh is substantial, rich, and mild when legally available from farmed or authorised sources; historically, meat was secondary to roe but still valued smoked and cooked. Wild beluga is critically protected—almost all legitimate modern supply of “beluga” products is tightly controlled or farmed hybrid/related programmes marketed with care. Treat any legal beluga meat as a rare steak: gentle sear, butter baste, or hot smoke. Caviar service is a separate craft of temperature and non-reactive spoons. Never buy undocumented wild products. When chefs say beluga they usually mean the roe grade; clarify whether the plate is flesh or eggs before pricing and prep.