National Caviar Day -Postcard Friendship Friday #129

 

This wonderful postcard was printed by the Romanoff Caviar Company.  The painting is called Russian Peasant Woman and was painted by Russian artist, A. Boutchkouri.  On the back of this postcard, their product is described as "The Epicure's keenest delight."  Just perfect for today Postcard Friendship Friday.

And here's why!  Did you know that today is National Caviar Day?  It is said the word caviar comes from the Turkish word havyar, derived from the Iranian word khayah.  If you don't know what this delicacy is, you might be surprised!  Caviar is the processed, salted eggs of fish.

Today people use the word Caviar to describe any fish egg, but the sturgeon and its species are known to produce the finest varieties of caviar to be had.  A sturgeon can grow to a huge size—up to 300 pounds.  An egg bearing female carries eggs to the tune of 25 percent of her body weight.  

Ancient sources of caviar were from sturgeon flourishing in the Caspian, or black sea.  The eggs are usually black, though caviar also comes in red, gold and grey.   Sometimes they are called Caviar berries.

In the 19^th century, sturgeon were discovered in North American rivers.  The supply was so rich Canada and the United States became major suppliers of caviar to Europe. By 1900, the United States was the largest producer in the world, generating over 600 tons a year.  Of course, that kind of pillaging, resulted in a scarcity of fish.  In 1909, a ban was imposed on commercial sturgeon fishing. 

Recently Mumsie and I visited the Bonneville Fish Hatchery on the great Columbia River.  I didn’t realize the hatchery was built in 1909, right when bans were imposed on commercial sturgeon fishing.  We went down into an area where you can view the fish underwater through the glass.   

What a thrill to see humongous Herman the sturgeon floating gracefully by.  He was HUGE.  There were times I thought he might have actually been posing for the camera.  Look at that funny whiskered face.  If truth be known, I think he liked us.

Have a lovely weekend, and happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

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