The History of House Petrossian
The Petrossian family has over a century of experience perfecting the art of caviar, and we take great pride in everything we do. Our caviar is hand-selected from the very best across the globe, setting us worlds apart from any other caviar you have ever experienced.
To better understand the art of caviar, and just what it takes to become a Caviarologist®, we start with the beginning of House Petrossian. In 1920, brothers Melkoum and Mouchegh Petrossian came to Paris and began a legendary love affair between caviar and the City of Light. Over a century later, their first boutique still thrives on Boulevard de la Tour-Maubourg. Petrossian caviar is now enjoyed across the globe and is widely recognized as the world’s finest expression of this enigmatic egg.
Originally from Armenia, the Petrossian Brothers brought their ancestral knowledge and a commitment to craftsmanship, which had been honed on the banks of the Caspian Sea for centuries. In Paris, they found a rich appetite for luxury, elegance and taste. Quickly branching into smoked fish and other fine foods, the brothers continued to apply their passion, rigorous standards and a few trade secrets to the art of caviar.
From that single boutique, Petrossian caviar grew into a global sensation. Today, the family owns and operates restaurants and boutiques in Paris, New York City and Los Angeles with the same care and bespoke service as they offered in 1920. Founded as a family company, the brand remains so to this day. Armen Petrossian, son of Mouchegh, currently presides over the company with the help of his sons, Alexandre and Mikael. Though still very young, a fourth generation of Petrossians is waiting in the wings to carry on the family’s commitment to excellence for years to come.
Understanding Caviarology
Caviar is an art like no other, and when it comes to learning and differentiating between the different varietals’ flavor profiles, it takes years of education and training.
“The best leather goods do not make an Hermes bag. The best Champagne grapes do not make Dom Pérignon, nor do the best sturgeon eggs make Petrossian caviar. None of these exist without the talent of the craftsman, or rather, the artist.” - Armen Petrossian
While caviar type is determined by the specific breed of sturgeon, caviar grade is determined by batch with each being graded by an expertly trained Caviarologist®. That may sound like a dream job, and we have to admit that each and every Caviarolog® loves what they do, but it also requires an extensive amount of attention to detail and highly developed taste buds to ensure that every bead of caviar that bears the Petrossian name meets our standards. Furthermore, within those standards are the determinations of grades, which require precision and consistency in every taste.
When it comes to grading caviar, we know that our century-long reputation is based on the trust our customers place on us the world over. From our Classic grade through to our Special Reserve, there are nuances in flavor profiles between each type of sturgeon and its caviar grades. Knowing and recognizing these nuances, and then appropriately assigning the caviar grade is an art that dates back to the robust traditions of the Old World of Tsars.
From Farm to Tin
Over the years, the Petrossian Family has not only trained members of our staff to become a Cavairologist ® or Caviarolog®, but also cultivated relationships with the caviar farmers, as we believe the best products start with the source. By working directly with caviar farmers, we are able to ensure the finest selection of caviar. This allows us to offer more grades in a better quality across caviar varietals than other companies.
Did you know that environment and lifestyle play a large part in the development of caviar? Water conditions, weather, and diet are just a few of the many factors caviar farmers take into consideration when honing their craft. The special relationship Petrossian has with our farmers is a large part of what allows us to bring the best caviar in the world to our customers, shipped directly to your door from our online boutique or served in our restaurants around the world.
Benefit from the Petrossian Caviarolog ®
Once the caviar arrives at our location, a trained Caviarologist® begins the task of grading every batch. The details and subtleties of each batch are reviewed, compared, and prepared in tins. Any caviar that does not meet our standards is set aside, and on occasion, a truly rare batch becomes available to our most exclusive subscribers for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Another way in which a Caviarlog ® can enhance the caviar experience is by helping our clients pair, serve and experience their caviar, whether at a private tasting or a large gala event. When clients contact Petrossian, they can speak directly with a Caviarlog ®, who will be happy to answer questions and provide helpful insights for serving our caviar. For example, a Caviarlog ® might recommend pairing our caviar with the traditional plating of blinis and creme fra îche for a classic effect, or suggest a more modern pairing, such as hearty, low-salt potato chip for a crispy, unique experience. The Caviarlog ® might recommend a specific type of beverage, based on the time of year and occasion, to perfectly compliment the clients chosen varietal of caviar. They can even provide recipes for caviar pastas, seafood toppings (try the lobster roll) steak pairings and many other bespoke uses for caviar that only a Caviarologist ® would know. Each Caviarlog ® has a wealth of knowledge and a passion for the art of caviar. We invite our guests to take full advantage of this service by contacting us at (800) 828-9241 and asking to speak with a Petrossian Caviarologist ® or Caviarlog ®.
Only the best caviar on the planet bears the Petrossian name and emblem. Our commitment to quality from farm to tin to table is an element of great pride for Petrossian that sets us apart from every other caviar in the world. The beauty is in the experience, but don’t take our word for it. Experience the Petrossian difference for yourself.
Not sure which caviar type and grade you would like to experience? Our caviar concierge is always happy to assist. Contact a Caviarologist® at (800) 828-9241 for personalized recommendations to suit your palate and fulfill all of your Petrossian needs.