A Beginner's Guide to Caviar

Those who appreciate caviar's unique qualities and refined taste can enjoy luxurious meals with rich flavors and unmatched textures. The first time you try caviar, take in the cool pearls that hit your tongue, and take note of the clean, briny, buttery taste. It's smooth and sharp all at once.

This beginner's guide to caviar explains the types of caviar, how to choose between them, and how to serve the delicacy just right.

What Is Caviar?

Caviar is special salt-cured, unfertilized fish eggs that come exclusively from the sturgeon species. It is one of the oldest known delicacies and was traditionally a food only the wealthy or royal could experience. Authentic caviar has a firm texture and a clean, rich flavor that is not overly salty or fishy. Gold-standard caviar is also preserved via the malossol method, which means "little salt." The light cure preserves freshness, enhances texture, and keeps the flavor bright and pure.

Because wild sturgeon is endangered, the best caviar comes from carefully managed farms that mimic natural habitats and raise sturgeon slowly to protect both the species and ecosystem. Purchasing your caviar from a direct-to-consumer seller ensures you get fresh products, better pricing, and better quality. You are getting it cold, clean, and close to the source.

Where Does Caviar Come From?

Our caviar guide begins thousands of years ago with the sturgeon fish. Ancient Persians began harvesting fish eggs from the Caspian Sea, and we get the word "caviar" from their "khavyar." Trade then spread caviar to the Ancient Greeks and beyond. Hundreds of years later, the Byzantine Empire's caviar trade flourished in the 12th to 15th centuries. 

Slowly, caviar made its way through the known world. It's originally from the Caspian Sea, and the delicacy of the eggs made caviar a luxury. Only those with wealth and trade access could get caviar for their special occasions.

By the late 1800s, though, sturgeon fish were abundant in American rivers. Caviar became a staple for many Americans in the area, and it soon allowed America to become one of the world's leading caviar exporters. Americans were eating caviar left and right, spreading the tradition across the country. Eventually, overfishing pushed local sturgeon species close to extinction, and caviar returned to a delicacy as a result.

After this rise and fall, the U.S. needed a sustainable solution for its caviar cravings. Modern aquaculture uses farm-raised sturgeon to meet caviar demand while protecting the population. Sturgeon are raised in water systems that mimic their natural environments. This solution delivers high-quality caviar harvested in a tradition thousands of years old. 

There are varieties beyond sturgeon, although Beluga caviar is no longer imported to the U.S. for sustainability reasons.

Guide to Caviar Types 

There are only a handful of caviar types that represent the majority of the high-end market. You can explore these beginner caviar types to discover what you like most:

• Beluga: This caviar is widely known as the most prestigious caviar in the world. However, because overfishing has left a low number of fish behind, obtaining Beluga pearls is illegal in the United States. 
• Ossetra: These firm pearls glisten in shades of gold, amber, brown, and jade. Well-loved, Ossetra caviar follows closely behind Beluga in prestige and has a buttery and long finish. It's the best caviar for first-timers, since it's approachable and easy to get.
• Sevruga: It can be challenging to obtain Sevruga caviar in its truest form, which combines Siberian sturgeon, Sterlet, and Sevruga caviar. If you can find real Sevruga caviar, it offers delicate beads and a buttery, long finish.
• Kaluga: Freshwater Kaluga can satisfy your craving for the feel and flavor of authentic Beluga. While the taste is saltier, this caviar's smooth texture places it on many favorite lists. 
• American: Affordable American white sturgeon and hackleback caviar is available throughout the country. Either option makes an excellent caviar for beginners, thanks to their wide availability and affordable price.

How to Select Quality Caviar

Pearl size is a key indicator of quality. Larger eggs from older, more mature sturgeon are rarer and more desirable. These eggs have a firmer shell, a richer taste, a glossy look, and a uniform appearance. The goal is to enjoy caviar as freshly as possible.

Great caviar is minimally processed — just roe and a touch of salt. Steer clear of added preservatives like borax or heavy pasteurization. They extend shelf life but flatten flavor and ruin texture. 

Grade 1 caviar is the best of the best. It's more expensive and rated for the highest caviar quality markers.

What Is Caviar Grading?

The guide to caviar understanding goes beyond types. Every tin of caviar also undergoes a grading process to define its quality, texture, and value. Expert graders evaluate:

• Egg size
• Hardness
• Color
• Aroma
• Uniformity
• Maturity
• Egg grain separation
• Luster

Caviar is graded into two tiers, although the specific terms may vary between distributors:

• Grade 1: Large, intact, and firm eggs with consistent coloring. Grade 1 caviar is refined and more expensive. Since it comes with a higher price tag, many people choose to serve Grade 1 caviar at their nicest events. Save it for ceremonies, celebrations or guests who will truly appreciate the subtleties of world-class caviar.
• Grade 2: Smaller, softer, and less uniform caviar that is less refined but still delicious. Grade 2 caviar is still delicious but with mild imperfections. You can serve it at more casual affairs and enjoy it as a snack.

Remember that grade language varies by company.

Why Eat Caviar?

Caviar from responsible suppliers is luxurious and tasty. Plus, it's rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, and protein.

Caviar's omega-3 fatty acids are heart-healthy compounds that can help support cardiovascular and skin health. B12 is essential for energy, brain function and red blood cell formation. Caviar is an easy, delicious way to fuel your body and taste buds.

Beyond the tasting, eating caviar is an experience. It has a long-standing history associated with celebration and fun. Throw dinners with friends and take your time savoring a dish that's thousands of years old.

Caviar's versatility and unique flavor make it an adventure every time you eat it. Every spoonful balances luxury, health, and savory goodness. And, unlike mass-market alternatives, Imperia Caviar contains no preservatives, so you always get caviar's authentic flavor and texture.

Serving and Eating Caviar

Serving and eating caviar is a delightful experience. Although some may have strong opinions about which method is best, there's no truly right or wrong way to do either. We recommend serving your caviar straight from the fridge, ideally nestled in a bowl of crushed ice. Never freeze it, as that will ruin the texture. Glass, porcelain, mother-of-pearl, or plastic bowls are best. Metal bowls react with the eggs and impart a metallic taste. The same goes for spoons. Opt for mother-of-pearl, wood, gold, or plastic.

If you're serving guests, keep each portion between one-half and one ounce per person. Encourage your guests to marvel at the decadent flavors in each bite. 

What to Pair With Caviar

Caviar shines when it's the star, so keep pairings classic. The taste of caviar is buttery, with a slight fishiness. It may remind you of raw oysters with a richer flavor. You may also notice a nutty, bright, or smooth flavor wave as you eat. Consider serving caviar with blinis or thin toast point slices with butter. For a casual-luxe option, combine caviar with a kettle chip or slice of brioche. Alternatively, you can eat caviar straight off the spoon or do a "caviar bump" off the back of your hand. Let the caviar roll across your tongue so that you can taste the subtle brine, creaminess, and clean finish.

Caviar can elevate many delicious recipes, and its unique flavors make caviar an excellent pairing with buttery foods and savory treats such as:

• Pasta
• Potatoes
• Smoked salmon
• Cheese
• Veggies
• Fruits
• Chocolate

You can also find delicious drinks to complement your caviar. Vodka and Champagne are classic drink pairings for this delicacy, but you can also consider a dry white wine, porter, or amber ale. A dirty martini with a caviar bump on the side is perfect, too.

How Much Does Caviar Cost?

The price of caviar depends on the species, grading, and harvesting process. Larger, glossier pearls from mature sturgeon are usually more expensive. 

Since larger pearls often come from older fish, they take longer to grow, which translates to limited availability and higher prices. Smaller-grain varieties like Sevruga are more accessible while still delivering on taste.

Buy your caviar from brands that use Malossol curing to get the best taste at a fair price. Malossol curing is a traditional low-salt technique that preserves the caviar's taste without additives.

Buying from direct-to-consumer brands also brings the price down. You pay directly to the company instead of an inflated middleman.

How to Store Caviar

Once you wrap up your event, you may still have some caviar left over. To maintain freshness and ensure your caviar lasts, you'll need to store it immediately. Leaving your caviar in a room-temperature environment can impact its taste and quality. 

Keep caviar between 28 and 32 degrees Fahrenheit in the coldest part of your fridge. You can store unopened tins for up to three weeks, but you should aim to finish the tin within 48 hours after opening. Limit room temperature exposure as much as possible, as caviar can start to spoil after two hours.

Explore the Best Caviar for Beginners From Imperia Caviar

When it comes to caviar, one taste is all it takes. When you buy sustainably sourced caviar, serve it cold, and keep pairings simple, you will taste the difference.

At Imperia Caviar, we take great care to package our caviar so you can always receive completely safe, delicious caviar. We boast five-star reviews from thousands of satisfied customers, thanks to our sustainable farming practices and direct-to-consumer offerings. This also ensures you get the best price for high-quality caviar. Whether you're a caviar connoisseur or trying it for the first time, you want to experience the best caviar you can find.

Shop our caviar online now — the best is within reach.