Seafood 101:
The Dos and Don’ts of Caviar
Caviar is a seafood delicacy in demand around the globe. The Beluga, Osetra, and Sevruga sturgeon fish eggs served as caviar are in short supply because of overfishing decades ago, and the limited supply is one reason caviar is an expensive delicacy. Although caviar substitutes are on the market, authentic caviar from the Caspian Sea is more exquisite and desirable.
Since caviar is rare and expensive, understanding the dos and don’ts can help you select the best caviar and avoid costly mistakes. Let’s explore things you should and should not do when selecting, serving, and storing caviar.
Caviar dos
Maximize your enjoyment of caviar by following the serving and storage tips explored here.
Enjoy a classic serving option
Wondering what to eat with caviar? Serving caviar on blinis is a classic option. Russian pancakes, called blinis, feature some notable differences from pancakes we eat for breakfast.
Recipes for breakfast pancakes call for baking powder, while blini recipes require yeast. Using yeast is the reason blinis are softer than breakfast pancakes.
Blini recipes feature buckwheat flour instead of plain flour. Buckwheat flour enhances the taste, producing cakes with a nutty flavor.
You can also serve caviar on unsalted crackers or crisp breads.
Explore your serving options
Although many enjoy fine caviar served as an appetizer, your caviar setup is more expansive than this option. Consider serving caviar on seafood, such as oysters. You can also serve caviar with potato chips.
Serving options include pairing caviar with smoked salmon, deviled eggs, and other appetizers. You can also use caviar as a featured ingredient in other dishes and desserts, such as the following:
- Baked potatoes
- Carbonara
- Egg yolk ravioli
- Omelets
- Scallops with potato pancakes
- Sorrel mousse
You can also make foams and dressings with caviar.
Use suitable spoons
When it comes to how to eat caviar, it’s crucial you understand the importance of spoon selection. Your spoon’s material affects the caviar’s taste. The following are the best types of spoons to use for serving caviar:
- Bone
- Mother of pearl
- Plastic
- Wood
Enjoy optimal beverages with caviar
Traditional beverages serviced with caviar include the following:
- Champagne
- Ice cold vodka
- You can also consider dry and fruity beverages, including the following white and light red wines:
- Pellegrino
- Pinot Noir
- Pinot Grigio
- Rosé
Buy sustainable caviar options
Purchase caviar sourced from sturgeon fish farms to avoid black-market caviar. Sturgeon are endangered, and black-market caviar puts them at risk. Fish farms provide a sustainable supply of caviar you can enjoy without worrying that the Department of Fish and Wildlife will confiscate your order.
Choose caviar in a tin
Purchase caviar stored in a plastic or zinc tin, and avoid caviar that hasn’t been refrigerated because it will go bad.
Enjoy the best Seafood Restaurant in Las Vegas.
Caviar don’ts
There are some things you should avoid with caviar. Understanding why you should avoid these mistakes when storing or serving caviar will help you maximize your enjoyment of this delicacy.
Don’t open your caviar too soon
Avoid excessive air exposure to keep your caviar fresh. It’s best to open your caviar tin just before you serve it. You can also replace the lid to prevent air exposure. Consuming caviar within a day of opening is best. After two days, the caviar will lose its flavor.
Don’t store caviar in the freezer
Freezing caviar affects its texture, so your best caviar storage option is the coldest part of your fridge. Ideally, you’ll purchase caviar as close to your event as possible to minimize the storage time needed.
When storing caviar, keep its temperature between 28 and 30°F. Most refrigerators store food around 37°F, but you can safely store caviar by placing it near the vent in the back of your fridge, where the air is coldest. You can also place an ice pack on top of the caviar container to keep it at an optimal temperature without affecting its texture.
Don’t use a metal spoon with caviar
Why can’t you use a metal spoon when serving caviar? Metal and silver spoons combine with caviar to produce an undesirable taste. Using metal and silver spoons means you’ll miss out on enjoying the caviar’s rich flavors.
Don’t spice it up
What can you not eat with caviar? Technically, you could eat caviar with almost anything, but there are some things you should avoid. People indulge in caviar because of its unique, rich flavors. Strongly flavored foods with lots of spices will overpower the caviar and prevent you from enjoying it to its fullest.
Don’t add salt
An ounce of caviar delivers almost one-fifth of your recommended daily sodium intake. It comes salt-cured, and caviar is naturally flavorful, so you don’t need to add salt or seasonings when serving.
Don’t limit yourself
Caviar may be a delicacy with a rich flavor, but that doesn’t mean caviar is merely a tasty indulgence. Caviar is loaded with vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients, including the following:
- Iron
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Selenium
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
Where to enjoy caviar
Aqua Seafood & Caviar Restaurant offers an exquisite menu of desirable dishes, including multiple types of caviar. Located in Resorts World Las Vegas on the Vegas Strip, we offer a refined dining experience that’s second to none. Step away from the world into a restaurant that ensures every aspect of your group dining Las Vegas event experience — from the atmosphere to the service and the food — exceeds your expectations.
Are you planning a special dinner or hosting a party? Let Aqua Seafood & Caviar Restaurant exceed your caviar needs. Our carry-out caviar menu offers several types of caviar and serving sizes so you can find what you need for your event. You can add traditional accompaniments, such as blinis, to your order.
Sources:
Delicacy. (2023).
14 Next-Level Caviar Recipes. (2023).
Latham, T. (2022). A Black-Market Caviar Ring Was Just Busted Outside San Francisco.
Mulroy, C. (2022). What is caviar made of? Here’s why the fish delicacy is so expensive.