How to Buy Caviar | What You Need to Know

Where is the caviar from?

Did you know around 90% of caviar sold in the United States is farmed in China? If the caviar in question simply says “imported,” you can bet it is from China. Caviar from China is known to contain borax, a preservative that is banned for use in food production in the USA. Chinese health, safety and environmental regulations are far less strict. That said, always make sure to check the country of origin label.

How fresh is the caviar?

To ensure freshness, it is always best to buy caviar direct from the producer. Caviar that is not fresh enough can taste fishy and have a very mushy texture. 3 year old caviar can sit on a distributor’s shelf, yet still be sold at a high price! Don’t waste your money on old caviar when you have the option to buy caviar direct from the producer. We harvest our caviar fresh every week.

What sturgeon species is the caviar from?

There are 27 species of sturgeon worldwide. Out of those, 3 are considered the top quality for caviar: Beluga Caviar, Osetra Caviar and Sevruga Caviar. International regulations ban Beluga from commerce, yet many caviar labels claim to be Beluga. Don’t be fooled – Beluga is nearly impossible to buy.

Does more expensive caviar taste better?

Not necessarily. The price of caviar is traditionally based on rarity. For example, golden colored Osetra can cost more more than dark colored Osetra, even though the flavor and/or texture are close to equal. However, the type of caviar can matter a lot; Osetra has a buttery, nutty taste. White sturgeon caviar tends to have much less flavor. These are personal preferences that can only be determined by trying different species.