Culture

A booming and uncontrollable black market in caviar across Europe is pushing many sturgeon species in Asia and Europe towards extinction. The situation is so extreme that, according to UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the estimated annual worth of legal caviar trade worldwide is $100 million, while the estimated annual worth of caviar on the black market is $500 million.

History

The precious fish eggs that have come to be synonymous with wealth and luxuriousness were not always as pricey and rare as they are today. One kilogram, or 2.1 pounds, of French caviar cost less than 20 cents in 1899.

Nutrition

Caviar is a rich source of vitamins A and D, very long-chain fatty acids, and zinc. These vitamins and minerals are especially important for pregnant women because deficiencies of these compounds may cause birth defects.