Caviar boasts a rich history, with references in ancient texts by Difilus from Sifnos dating to 3 B.C. and recipes recorded by Athineus in 2 A.D. Notable figures like Herodotus and Aristotle also expressed their fondness for sturgeon eggs.
While "roe" generally refers to the eggs of various marine animals, "caviar" specifically pertains to the salted eggs of female sturgeons from the Black Sea and Caspian Sea.
The ancient Greeks, skilled seafarers with a taste for fish eggs, were well-acquainted with sturgeon. They navigated the Aegean Sea and ventured through the Dardanelles and Bosphorus, seeking the treasures of the Black Sea.
In the 1780s, Greek merchant Ioannis Varvakis transformed caviar from a dish enjoyed by Russian peasants into a luxury for European elites. By pioneering vacuum packing, he enabled international distribution, earning the title of the "father of caviar."
Thesauri
Thesauri is a leading company in sturgeon farming and caviar production in northwest Greece since 1992.
One of the world’s precious few companies involved in sturgeon farming and caviar production, Thesauri is, in fact, the only such enterprise in Greece.
Named after the Greek word ‘θησαυρός’ (theesavros) and the English word ‘treasure’ – the business name ‘Thesauri’ is a symbol of its commitment to deliver a one of a kind rarity and a treasure of taste.
Inspired by Ioannis Varvakis’s pioneering spirit, Thesauri brought the first sturgeon eggs from Astrakhan to its aquafarm in 1997.
Thesauri’s aquafarm is located in Arta and is one of the biggest in Europe, at 330,000 square metres.
Thesauri chose the bay of Amvrakikos to build its ultra-modern facilities, ensuring an endless supply of crystal-clear, high-quality water. This water provides the ideal breeding environment and a perfect simulation of the fish's natural habitat.
An open system with artesian water aquafarm, Thesauri breeds only pure species of gueldenstaedtii, baerii and beluga sturgeon.
They do not harvest hybrids.
In collaboration with Russian experts, Thesauri has grown to become a highly-acclaimed pioneer in sturgeon harvesting and caviar production.
Following the introduction of sturgeon eggs from Astrahan over two decades ago, Thesauri’s products have been widely recognised and sold worldwide—even to Russia, long considered the world capital of caviar.
Throughout its 20-year history, the company’s source of inspiration has remained Ioannis Varvakis, the pioneer who made the international distribution of caviar possible.
Thesauri Sturgeons
Sturgeon is the common name for the 27 species of fish in the 'Acipenseridae' family.
The earliest sturgeon fossils date back to the Late Cretaceos and are descended from earlier acipenseriform fish that date back to the Triassic period, some 245 to 208 million years ago.
Aipenseriform fish appeared in the fossil record some 245 to 208 million years ago (Mya) near the end of the Triassic, making them among the most ancient of still-living actinopterygian fish.
Amazingly, the sturgeon—referred to informally by scientists as a ‘living fossil’—has undergone remarkably little morphological change since then, indicating that its evolution has been exceptionally slow.
Due to the increasing popularity of caviar, the stock of wild sturgeon has decreased dramatically over the past 50 years.
As such, certain species have been classified as endangered and are now protected by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), an international treaty founded to prevent species from becoming endangered or extinct due to international trade.
Following much careful testing and experimentation, it was concluded that sturgeon can easily adapt to the climatic conditions of Greece.
The sex of the fish is ascertained via ultrasound.
After a decade or more, the female sturgeon gives birth to the precious eggs, which weigh between 10 and 14% of the body weight.
Thesauri caviar production
No matter how much water may have passed under the bridge since its consumption began, caviar remains an exclusive handcrafted delicacy whose quality can be instantly discerned.
To master a product of Thesauri caviar's high quality and supremacy, the method is long and arduous, with particular care taken to ensure its unique flavour.
The eggs of the female sturgeon are harvested and classified according to their size and colour.
Expert personnel at Thesauri follow the time-enduring Russian preparation process to ensure the product's unique flavour.
The traditional Malossol salting process maintains the delicate finesse of its flavour while accentuating the aftertaste.
Quality tests are constantly held to ensure caviar firmness and excellent quality.
The Thesauri aquafarm has been assessed and complies with all the requirements of Food Safety System Certification (FSSC) 22000. Furthermore, it is FDA-approved for the United States market.
Every package is sealed with security tape and can be traced through its unique number printed thereon.
Experts highly appraise the end product.
Thesauri's prestigious events and international accolades
Thesauri caviar remains an exclusive handcraft delicacy that has been recognised worldwide and invited by luxury brands worldwide to participate in their prestigious events
Thesauri Greek caviar is available in Sydney, Australia, at Gourmet Life, contact to order:
52-60 New South Head Road
Darling Point NSW 2027
phone: 02 9363 0775
