The Ultimate Guide to Caviar Spoons and Service

We sometimes get so caught up in enjoying the experience of caviar in the moment that we forget the pillars of presentation and etiquette that come with the tradition of caviar.

A prime example is something like a caviar spoon. It might seem to be a small aspect of caviar service, but there’s more than meets the eye when exploring this simple aspect of the caviar world.

That’s why we’re not just focusing on utensils in this article. We think combining history, science, and etiquette should be part of everyone’s caviar 101 education. We want everyone to experience caviar in its purest, most enjoyable form, which means using the right instruments and avoiding some rookie mistakes.

In the high-stakes world of caviar, you'll want to maximize your next caviar service with knowledge of its past, understanding of the proper serving methods, and the best caviar spoons. All of these elements will allow you to experience the full luxury of caviar. 

The Origins of the Caviar Tradition

It's hard to imagine a world without caviar. That's because there hasn't really been one.

Caviar has its origins in Persia, with the word itself coming from the Persian word “khaviar,” which means “bearing eggs.” With an on-the-nose name and captivating flavor, the delicacy traveled from ancient Persia and Greece to Byzantine-era Russia.

Russian Tsar Peter the Great and his wife, Catherine, were captivated by the unique flavor and texture, elevating caviar to royal status. Their fishing efforts opened the door to wider distribution.

The 19th century saw the United States join the caviar tradition, with entrepreneur Harry Schacht starting America's caviar trade. By fishing for sturgeon off the Delaware River, the U.S.'s production soon rivaled Russia's.

It's hard to believe, but caviar became so popular and accessible that it was once served for free in American bars. The salty palate cleanser encouraged individuals to drink more. Overconsumption of sturgeon eggs led to a shortage and, due to the resulting protections placed on the animals, the dish became a luxury item once more.

Since the 20th century, we've seen an increase in aquaculture methods, creating more sustainable caviar production. With these new practices and the invention of the internet, you can get sustainably sourced caviar shipped right to your door.

The Science and Tradition of Caviar Spoons

Before we get into the science of caviar spoon material, you might wonder if spoons are really that big of a deal when it comes to serving this delicacy.

To those uninitiated in the secret world of caviar, it’s easy to see why this raises eyebrows. Most people don’t think twice about serving utensils in most situations, apart from maybe a formal event or family gathering around the holidays.

Caviar is in a league of its own, however. Every facet of the experience must meet the highest possible standards to make it all worthwhile.

Considering the high price of caviar and its luxury reputation, the least we can do is live up to that legacy and scoop our caviar with quality, well-crafted utensils that heighten the experience. These allow for the full enhancement of flavors.

Metal: The Enemy of Caviar

It might sound like a myth if you’ve never experienced it for yourself, but caviar veterans can attest to the truth: eating caviar with a metal spoon is a mistake on all counts.

Specifically, we’re talking about metals with high concentrations of a single material, whether that be silver, nickel, bronze, or aluminum. Alloys, on the other hand, are not considered so egregious when serving caviar due to advanced chemical makeup, but they should still be avoided in favor of approved materials if possible.

Oxidation is the culprit here, explaining why caviar and metals don’t mix. This is a process by which oxygen is rapidly introduced to an environment and alters the structure of the material on a chemical level. In the case of caviar (a delicate and highly sensitive ingredient), even the slightest alteration in any mode can impact flavor and texture significantly.

Even if you aren’t a seasoned caviar taster, you would know that something is amiss if you were to taste caviar with standard silverware or another type of metallic utensil.

The Threat of Oxidation

The oxidation reaction happens quickly, and even if only a part of the caviar scoop comes into contact with the utensil, the strong metallic flavor imparted to those eggs can disrupt the entire tasting experience.

When oxidized even slightly, caviar loses some of its natural flavors and takes on some characteristics of the metal to which it was exposed. With more prolonged exposure, there may be a physical exchange of molecules between the caviar and surface material itself.

This means that you’d be ingesting a portion of solid silver, nickel, or iron when you scoop that caviar onto your toast — yuck. 

In worst-case scenarios, metal utensils can be ruined by coming into contact with caviar over long durations of time. The only thing worse than destroying the taste of your caviar is having your favorite set of silver be marked up with unwanted streaks, stains, and splotches from oxidation.

Do what’s right for your caviar and your silverware, and avoid having these two items come into direct contact if you can help it.

A Matter of Respect: Honoring the Caviar's Journey

We issue this warning against metals not only because we want to save you the hassle of finding out this truth the hard way but also because we have a genuine love and appreciation for caviar, the work that goes into this production, and its long-standing tradition. 

Sturgeon take an average of two decades to mature, and caviar producers undergo a long, laborious process to extract the eggs of the female in a way that preserves their integrity and natural attributes.

On top of that, there are obstacles of conservation, regulation, and other restrictions that make caviar production a challenge from start to finish.

That’s why we advise that caviar be enjoyed in the proper way with the correct utensils. This ensures that not an ounce of caviar goes to waste, and every customer gets the exact experience they deserve.

What Kind of Spoon Should You Use for Caviar?

If you take one thing away from this article, it’s that you should never use metal utensils to serve or scoop caviar in any capacity.

Even if everything in your kitchen is made from the finest sterling silver in the world, make sure it doesn’t touch your prized Ossetra or Kaluga caviar under any circumstances.

But with all that out of the way, what is the right type of spoon to use for tasting caviar? Plus, what other implements should you look to add to your collection?

Here’s our list of accepted caviar serving spoon materials and their unique characteristics.

Mother of Pearl

This is the spoon you’ve seen in advertisements, in movies, and anywhere caviar is served.

Nacre, also known as mother of pearl, is a unique composite material made from both organic and inorganic compounds. The material is produced as an inner shell layer by mollusks (think snails, clams, and nautilus) and is made of amazing hexagonal platelets of calcium carbonate.

These iridescent spoons contrast against the dark grey and green caviar pearls. Using a mother of pearl spoon for caviar offers a strong, reliable, and non-reactive surface that only enhances the dining experience.

Tortoiseshell

Because this material comes from an endangered species, you won’t expect to find it at your local kitchen goods store. In fact, selling shells is illegal in the U.S. and many other countries.

However, you can be certain that tortoiseshell spoons were the go-to material for kings, queens, and elite guests who enjoyed caviar in centuries past.

Imitation tortoiseshells might be available and are composed of plastic and biomaterials.

Animal Horn

Horns from animals like bison and buffalo are often used as substitutes for mother-of-pearl spoons and make a great serving utensil for caviar.

They come in cool colors, have a strong structure, and won’t react with your caviar in a negative way. For a fun twist on the classic nacre spoons, check out what’s available for animal horn spoons — sustainably, of course.

Wood

If metal is off the table, why not use wooden spoons to serve caviar?

This is less of a popular pick, not just due to the unappealing contrast of this material with caviar pearls but also the fact that wood is somewhat grippy and absorbent.

Wooden spoons will stain if mixed with caviar oils for too long, and the experience won’t be as authentic. Still, this is miles better than metal, so use wood if you must.

Glass

Given the sleek appearance and attributes of glass, you’d think it would be a more popular material to make caviar serving spoons.

It’s not used so often, probably due to its delicate structure and transparency.

Gold

There’s one metal that gets the green light when scooping caviar, and that’s gold. If you’re really living large, grab yourself some real gold serving spoons and take your entire serving standard to another level.

Plastic

You might think that plastic and caviar should never be on the same table, but these little disposable spoons are used all the time, even in high-end settings.

Plastic is cheap, ensures sanitation, and most importantly, doesn’t affect the flavor of the caviar.

The Art of Caviar Service and Etiquette

Caviar is more than food — it's an experience. In addition to spoons, presentation and tasting technique play an important role in enjoying the dish.

Preparing to Serve

Caviar should be kept cold, around 30 degrees Fahrenheit. To preserve it from early spoilage and retain its flavors, keep it in the coldest part of your fridge. However, be sure it doesn't freeze, as this can affect the texture. Remove caviar from the fridge around 15 minutes before consumption and, once opened, carefully transfer it to a nonmetallic bowl kept on ice.

Once the tin is opened, air exposure can begin to affect the taste and flavor of your caviar. Best practice involves opening the dish only when it's ready to eat and enjoy.

Finding the Right Pairings

Caviar truly should be the main attraction. However, a few different traditional serving pairings can enhance the experience.

With its salty profile, caviar pairs well with an alcoholic palate cleanser. Aligning with the Russian tradition, the clean profile of a high-quality vodka can parallel the fatty goodness of caviar. Breaking a bit from tradition, champagne is also a good option. Just try to choose the driest option possible.

Another remnant of Russia, blini, a small pancake, is a popular pairing for caviar. Other popular accoutrements include crème fraîche, steamed potatoes, and eggs.

The hard and fast rule is to allow the caviar's flavor to come first. These additions should enhance the caviar, not overpower it.

Tasting Techniques and Etiquette

Once you have your caviar ready to serve, it's time to taste.

• Use the proper serving size: Each person typically gets about 2 tablespoons. Taking more or double-dipping is considered a faux pas.
• Savor the flavor: Similar to the experience of enjoying good wine, eating caviar begins with inhaling the aroma. Then, transfer it from the spoon onto your tongue.
• Try a caviar bump: Some may prefer to forgo the spoon altogether by doing a “caviar bump,” which involves eating a dollop of caviar off the back of your hand to preserve the flavor.
• Never chew: Chewing causes the caviar to lose its full flavor. Instead, press it gently against the roof of your mouth to experience its natural flavor and texture.
• Don't rush: Going right for your drink will erase the final notes. Allow a moment to pass, and then reach for your beverage.

Experience Caviar to the Fullest With Imperia Luxury Caviar

Enjoying caviar is all about acknowledging tradition, upkeeping etiquette, and basking in the luxury of it all. Now that you know the basics, you're ready to experience the astounding flavors of the food for yourself. 

Imperia Caviar offers a range of luxury caviar for everyone. With sustainable eggs and fast delivery, we take pride in making the caviar experience luxurious yet convenient. Shop our selection today.