Are you interested in trying caviar but don’t know where to start? Perhaps you are trying to impress guests at a party you are throwing, or maybe you want to prepare a special romantic dinner. Whatever your reason for dabbling in the world of caviar, there are a few things you should know first! Consider taking a peep at this beginner’s guide to premium caviar before you begin your journey into the world of caviar!
What is Caviar?
First things first, you need to know what caviar is before you can purchase proper, premium caviar. Understanding the nuances of the delicacy will also help you to appreciate why it has been considered a luxury for so long. At this point you might be thinking, isn’t caviar just fish eggs? Yes! Caviar is fish eggs! However, true caviar is only considered to come from the matured eggs of the sturgeon fish.
The sturgeon fish is any of 28 species found in the waters of the Northern Hemisphere including the Caspian Sea, Black Sea, and some parts of the Pacific Northwest and South Atlantic regions of North America. This means if you are truly wanting an authentic caviar experience, you should steer clear of red caviar, which is generally the fish eggs of salmon, or any other type of fish egg that does not explicitly confirm it is from the sturgeon fish.
A Growing Market
Did you know that historically caviar came from the Caspian Sea, which is on the border of Russia? That is why Russian caviar is so well known! In fact, even today caviar is known to be part of an elite Russian breakfast, alongside blini and syrniki. Today, however, American caviar rivals Russian caviar in quality and prestige.
When the United Nations banned in 2006 the export of beluga sturgeon caviar from the Caspian Sea region due to the endangered status of beluga, this allowed caviar from other parts of the world to rise in popularity. While this ban didn’t last long, it did allow America and other regions of the world to swoop into the market. Today, the global caviar market is valued at $360 million, with an estimated value of $540 million by the end of 2025.
How and where can I purchase caviar?
The best place to purchase caviar is online! While you may be tempted to go to your local grocery store or even a specialty store, there are some pitfalls with going in person. These include possibly sacrificing authenticity, quality, and selection. When choosing an online platform to purchase your caviar from, you need to make sure the seller is not a middleman! At Imperia Caviar, we produce caviar on our own farms, and make sure every step of the harvesting process is overseen by a caviar master. We are committed to ensuring quality and taste, direct from our farm to your plate.
How should I serve Caviar?
Now that you know where to purchase your caviar, you might be wondering how much you should purchase. Here are some rules of thumb. You can get up to 10 (1/2 teaspoon) servings per ounce of caviar, and about 20 (1/4 teaspoon) servings per ounce of caviar. If you are eating your caviar straight out of the tin, you should allot for up to one ounce per person, but if you are serving the caviar with many appetizers, you should allot for ½ teaspoon per person. In terms of recipes, you can go all out by making seafood pasta, or you could get the classic, simple route by sticking the caviar in a tin on top of a bed of ice with a spoon, and allowing guests to top in on toast points or blini.
No matter the way you choose to enjoy your caviar, you are sure to enjoy this premium treat!