Luxuriously decadent, caviar is as intriguing as it is misunderstood. With some variations of this delicacy fetching prices as high as $10,000 per kilogram (yes, really!), people are determined to eat it the ‘right way’ without putting any to waste.
You may wish to try caviar to see what all the fuss is about, but if you’re hesitant, you’re not alone. Many people are not sure how to eat it properly or even the correct way to serve it. Here, we will guide you into how to become the perfect host or caviar connoisseur.
Caviar for beginners
Excellent caviar is traditionally served cold, simple and unadorned – and is made to be experienced all year-round. Surprisingly, it is highly nutritious, and contains great amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin B12 and selenium.
How do you serve caviar?
There are five main ways to serve caviar:
- When serving caviar, you want to present it in a glass bowl with ice at the base to keep the product cold.
- If you wish to eat caviar accompanied, common recommendations include on toasted bread, hard-boiled eggs or unsalted crackers. However, the most popular way to serve caviar is on a small, savoury pancake known as a blini.
- Should the flavour of your caviar be too strong, you may garnish it with fresh herbs, chopped onions or sour cream.
- The utensils are also equally important. Use spoons made of mother of pearl, wood, or even bone material. While it may seem ostentatious, these choices are perfect as they do not hold or transfer flavour.
- Champagne is an obvious choice when it comes to which libation to enjoy with caviar, but keep in mind that drier is always better. Purists, however, will claim that the finest frozen vodka is the better choice.
Eating Etiquette
When you’re entertaining friends in your own home, you won’t need to worry about how to eat caviar. However, if you’re at a restaurant and you order caviar, you may need to follow the proper protocol.
Keep the following in mind:
- Despite its irresistible flavour, caviar should be eaten in small quantities. It is considered unsophisticated to eat more than two-three spoonfuls in a sitting.
- Caviar is not made to be chewed, as you will lose a lot of the flavour this way. Instead, you must let it fall apart in your mouth to enjoy its flavour to the fullest.
- Take your time when eating caviar. It’s an expensive product, and it should be savoured and enjoyed – never rushed.
Where to buy your caviar
Of course, where you purchase your caviar will impact the taste and quality. When buying online, be sure to choose products from a trusted, export-approved boutique freshwater aquaculture farm, such as Yarra Valley Caviar.
Our caviar is packaged on site, without the use of any additives. The fish are milked for roe entirely by hand, once per year, and are grown sustainably and responsibly.