Imperial caviar — Acipenser Schrenckii × Huso Dauricus — is the hybrid offspring of our two Amur River species: Amur sturgeon and Kaluga.
The eggs are medium to large at 3.0–3.2mm, with a distinctive brownish-green hue that sets them apart from both parent species — a visual signature of the hybrid itself. The flavour brings together the best of both parents: the clean earthiness and gentle brine of Amur, and the buttery richness and nutty depth of Kaluga, with soft oceanic hints that tie it all together.
It sits in the middle of the Amur River family in both profile and price point — above Amur in richness and complexity, below Kaluga in intensity and prestige. For caviar lovers who want to explore the depth of Kaluga without fully committing to the premium tier, Imperial is the natural bridge — entry-level price with unmistakably premium characteristics.
What does it mean that Imperial is a hybrid?
Imperial is produced by crossing two distinct sturgeon species from the same river basin — Acipenser Schrenckii (Amur sturgeon) and Huso Dauricus (Kaluga). The result inherits traits from both: Kaluga's large egg size and buttery richness, and Amur's earthy character. Even the colour is its own — a distinctive brownish-green that neither parent produces on its own. Hybrid sturgeon are widely produced and prized for their consistency and vigour — Imperial is a prime example of what the combination can achieve.
How does Imperial compare to Amur and Kaluga?
Think of them as a natural progression. Amur is the lightest — clean, gently briny, and fresh. Imperial takes that foundation and adds Kaluga's buttery richness and larger egg size, creating a more complex, fuller profile. Kaluga is the peak — the deepest, richest, most prestigious of the three. Imperial sits confidently in the middle: premium flavour, accessible price point, and large eggs with a colour unlike anything else in our lineup.
