If there is one food that oozes luxury, it’s Caviar. This food is reserved for only the most sophisticated and elegant among us. Knowing how to correctly store and prepare your Caviar is essential to throwing the ultimate dinner party, along with how to serve it, and what drinks to pair it with.
Caviar should always be kept refrigerated. It is an extremely perishable food and therefore proper care should be taken. The ideal temperature for Caviar is around 30F. Most household refrigerators do not reach this temperature, so store the Caviar in the coldest part of the refrigerator, which is generally the bottom drawer.
Caviar is a delicacy for many different reasons. Primarily, because it is extremely rare in comparison to many other foods we consume.
Additionally, each and every portion of Caviar has to be manually harvested, which is an extremely difficult, time-consuming, and intricate process.
The relatively short shelf life of Caviar also creates intrigue and makes the dish feel even more special.
What is Caviar?
Considered a delicacy all around the world, Caviar is a luxurious dish, consisting of eggs from sturgeon fish which are salt-cured.
The most luxurious and expensive type of Caviar comes from the Beluga sturgeon.
Beluga Caviar is generally much bigger than other types of Caviar, often around the size of a pea. It comes from the Caspian Sea and is clear and glossy in appearance.
How long can I store Caviar?
Caviar is normally purchased in airtight containers from the store, which can be kept refrigerated for between 2-4 weeks.
Once you have opened the Caviar, it can be stored safely for two days. However, Caviar is extremely delicate, and once opened, every hour will have an effect on its quality and taste.
Which is why it is best consumed immediately after opening; when it is freshest, and the flavors are at their optimum.
If you are wanting to re-refrigerate Caviar that has already been served, ensure it does not sit on the table for a huge amount of time.
Return the Caviar to the refrigerator as soon as possible, placed in an airtight, clean container.
We recommend sitting this container on an ice pack in the bottom drawer of your refrigerator.
How should I serve Caviar?
Remove your Caviar from the refrigerator and allow it to stand for around 10 minutes. This will bring the delicacy to room temperature, making it ideal for serving.
Only once the Caviar has been allowed to stand should you remove the lid or break the seal of the container.
Serving Caviar with silver spoons, although customary, is the wrong thing to do; the silver actually affects the flavor of the Caviar. This is why we recommend using a serving spoon made of inert materials – the most authentic and luxurious being a mother of pearl spoon.
Placing the serving dish over crushed ice will keep the Caviar cool and allow your guests to help themselves.
If you prefer to serve your Caviar with an accompaniment, then be sure to choose something that does not overwhelm the gentle and delicate taste of the Caviar.
Unsalted crackers or toast work great. Although purists would argue, Caviar does taste great with a wedge of lemon drizzled over for an extra kick.
How about frozen Caviar?
As you would assume, frozen Caviar should be stored in the freezer. It can then be thawed in the refrigerator and stored there until consumption. As with non-frozen Caviar, it should be consumed within 48 hours of opening.
What drinks should be paired with Caviar?
There really are only two choices on what drink to serve with your Caviar. It has to be either Champagne or Vodka.
The traditional Russian pairing of Vodka and Caviar is probably the best-known combination.
Quality really is key here; choose the best quality Vodka you can afford and keep it in the freezer.
A luxury product like Caviar deserves a luxury wine like Champagne. Caviar has a very high level of fat and salt, meaning it is complemented best by a dry Champagne.
Caviar can be stored safely, and served beautifully, at home
Caviar will never go out of fashion. It will be served all around the world, at great dinner parties, for as long as time.
When you purchase Caviar, you purchase a pot of elegance, extravagance, and decadence. Having a pot of Caviar refrigerated at home, on hand to indulge in whenever you please, is the epitome of perfection.
Taking the time to store, serve, and pair your Caviar is time well spent.