Caviar 101 with Black River Caviar

Caviar 101 with Black River Caviar

Author: BLISTER November 26, 2025 Duration: 1:04:25

Caviar. Is there any word — or food — that more quickly conjures up associations of luxury and opulence? But caviar isn’t just a thing to serve on the yacht you don’t own, caviar has a rich history. Once a snack only for Russian oligarchs, today it is found in more places and likely on potato chips. Eli talks with Sarah Mayo for a deep dive into the history of global caviar production; the ways in which the modern market is shaping consumption; and the endangered status of the fish responsible for this exotic dish. 

We Want to Hear from You!

Have a topic, craft category, or craft company you’d like to see us cover? Email us here to share those or any other thoughts you have about CRAFTED.

RELATED LINKS:

Blister Craft Collective

Become a BLISTER+ Member

Black River Caviar

BLISTER NEWSLETTER:

Get It & Our Weekly Gear Giveaways

TOPICS & TIMES:

History of Caviar (2:53)

The Production Process (14:30)

The Market for Caviar (17:57)

Soviet Caviar (24:58)

China's Influence (30:38)

Sturgeon, Illegal Fishing, & Hybrid Products (32:13)

Lifecycle of the Sturgeon (39:53)

Grading Structure (49:51)

Caviar & Wine (52:48)

SEE OUR OTHER PODCASTS:

Blister Cinematic

Bikes & Big Ideas

GEAR:30

Blister Podcast


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


There's a particular kind of conversation that happens when someone has dedicated their life to making something tangible, driven by obsession over details most of us overlook. CRAFTED, from BLISTER, is built on those conversations. Each episode moves beyond a simple product review to explore the entire ecosystem of creation, whether the subject is a meticulously roasted coffee, a complex whiskey, a precision timepiece, or a bold new wine. You'll hear directly from the individuals who define these fields-brewers, distillers, founders, and artisans who started their ventures not because it was easy, but because they couldn't imagine doing anything else. This podcast digs into the raw materials, the failed experiments, the business risks taken on a principle, and the quiet triumphs that happen long before a product reaches a shelf. It’s about the philosophy embedded in the process as much as the technical skill. Tuning in feels less like listening to an interview and more like pulling up a stool in a workshop or a tasting room, offering an intimate look at the patience, setbacks, and unwavering standards that transform a simple idea into a crafted object. The stories are specific, but the themes of creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit are universal, connecting anyone who appreciates the depth behind a well-made thing.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

CRAFTED
Podcast Episodes
Amateur Hour: Camera Gear w/ Jonathan Ellsworth and Justin Bobb [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:02
Recently, Jonathan has been going deep down the rabbit hole of camera gear and lighting, and the strikingly handsome Justin Bobb has been his spiritual guide. So today, we’re broaching these topics with all of you, and y…
The Whiskey that Set a Land Speed Record: Montgomery Distilling [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:48
Not every distillery owner has a land speed record to their name, but Ryan Montgomery of Montgomery Distilling does. So Eli talked with him about all things spirits, from the Montana-grown grain that helped power that la…
HiFi Audio, Aesthetics, & Design w/ Heaven 11’s Itai Azerad [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:00
A famous philosopher once said, “Without music, life would be a mistake.” We agree. And while music is all around us, it’s easier and easier to take it for granted, or to have a very diluted experience of it. So, how do…
“Get Thee To A Cheese Monger!” Cheesemaking w/ Jasper Hill Farm [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:19
Jasper Hill Farm is one of the most respected names in American artisan cheese, and in today’s episode, Jonathan & Eli talk with Zoe Brickley — Jasper Hill’s “Minister of Culture” — about how a struggling Vermont dairy m…
Jonathan Gagné on Astrophysics, Coffee, & The Physics of Espresso [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:15
Jonathan Gagné is producing some of the best work in the world in terms of increasing our understanding and appreciation of coffee. And his new book, The Physics of Espresso, is incredibly smart, impressively easy to und…
The Business of Craft Beer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:09
With all the economic & cultural shifts swirling about these days, we wanted to get a handle on the state of craft beer: what does the current landscape look like, what are the biggest challenges, and what are the most i…