What is caviar and how is it different from roe?

Caviar refers specifically to salt-cured eggs harvested from sturgeon. In traditional usage, only sturgeon roe is considered true caviar, which is why it is regarded as the most prestigious and sought-after category.

Roe is the general term for fish eggs from any species. This includes salmon roe, trout roe, whitefish roe, tobiko (flying fish roe), masago (capelin roe), and many others.

In short:

• Caviar = Salt-cured roe from sturgeon
• Roe = Fish eggs from any species

While both are enjoyed as delicacies around the world, true sturgeon caviar is prized for its delicate texture, nuanced flavor, and rarity.