GOURMET CAVIAR - the best of gourmet caviar online

CAVIAR SHELF LIFE is the time in which the highest quality can be maintained without diminishing flavour or texture. This time span varies according to the variety of caviar, so let's go over a few of the most popular types and the caviar shelf life times for each below;

Unless otherwise indicated, caviar shouldn't be frozen and should never be refrozen. All caviar shelf life indications below assume refrigerated storage between 26-36 degrees F.

Beluga 4-6 weeks.
Osetra 4-6 weeks.
American Sevruga 1 week.
Russian Sevruga 4-6 weeks.
Transmontanus (Alverta & Classic) 3 weeks.
Sturgeon (Hackleback, Royal & Classic) 1 week, can be frozen up to 1 year.
Paddlefish (Royal & Classic) 1 week, can be frozen up to 1 year.
American Black 1 week, can be frozen up to 1 year.
Wild Bowfin 1 week, can be frozen up to 1 year.
Salmon (Ikura) 1 week, can be frozen up to 1 year.
Trout 1-2 weeks, can be frozen up to 3 months.
Black Whitefish 1 week, can be frozen up to 1 year.
Golden Whitefish 1 week, can be frozen up to 1 year.
Golden Royal 2-4 weeks, may be frozen.
Tobiko (red) 1 week, can be frozen up to 1 year.
Tobiko (orange) 1 week, can be frozen up to 1 year.
Tobiko (yellow) 1 week, can be frozen up to 1 year.
Tobiko (green w/wasabi) 1 week, can be frozen up to 1 year.
Tobiko (black) 1 week, can be frozen up to 1 year.
Masago (capelin roe) 1 week, can be frozen up to 1 year.
Vegan (made from seaweed) can be refrigerated indefinitely.
Escargo 3-4 months in unopened tins, 2-3 months if opened.

Refer to this page whenever you need to know the caviar shelf life of any particular variety.

Now let's look over some very quick information on on a couple kinds of specialty caviar, and then we can move on to the various other types with some CAVIAR RECIPES for each...

ESCARGOT CAVIAR a product of France, is from snails and has recently been gaining a huge popularity throughout Europe and Japan. With a singular flavour, these can add a touch of luxury and extravagance to many dishes.

One might even decide to serve escargot caviar with... well, escargot!

Of course, you could always enjoy this with crackers and patte, and a bit of wine with fruit and cheese as well.

A 1 ounce tin can provide 1-2 servings of escargot caviar for that special occasion, perhaps even a romantic picnic for two.

24 KT GOLD CAVIAR is a superb way to garnish that special dish, or sweet dessert. Made from crystalized sugar and flakes of gold, these have a very faint flavour of lemon and white wine.

24 kt gold caviar is mostly used for decorating and garnishing seafood dishes and sweets.

In high-end Japanese sushi restaurants, both in Japan and elsewhere, the sushi chefs often put 24 kt gold caviar in glasses of sake, the clear Japanese rice wine.

CAVIAR RECIPES can really beautify your dining experience! Below, along with some more examples of caviar, are some caviar recipes... as I add more to this site, I'll include a caviar recipe along with each featured type of caviar. I hope you will enjoy them all! ^_^

MALOSSOL CAVIAR is a milder type of caviar, and the word malossol, in the Russian language, means "of low salt content".

Three of the many varieties of malossol caviar are as follows;

Russian Sevruga Caviar - This caviar is characterized by a small egg size, is pearly grained and has a greyish to black colour.

Imperial Golden Osetra Caviar - This caviar is characterized by a large to medium egg size, and is golden yellow to dark brown in colour.

Royal Osetra Caviar - This caviar is characterized by a small egg size, and is black in colour.

As the name implies, these have less of a salty taste to them, and can be served with most any dish.

CAVIAR RECIPE

Your basic Malossol Hors D' Oeuvres

Yield: 4 servings...

2 ounces malossol caviar
8%u3000blini

Condiments (each to be served chilled);

1 cup cornichons
1 cup sour cream
the yolks of 4 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
the whites of 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
2 tablespoons of capers
1/3 cup of finely minced shallots

Serve the caviar in an appropriate serving bowl, centered on a caviar relish tray, with blini and chilled condiments arrayed round about it. Serve with small glasses of Vodka.

BELUGA CAVIAR is perhaps one of the most widely known varieties of caviar, and among the most widely enjoyed. Beluga caviar comes from the beluga sturgeon, found primarily in the Caspian Sea. American wild sturgeon caviar, though not exactly the same, is actually quite similar and very comparable.

During seasons when beluga caviar is scarce (or presently, for endangered species reasons), American sturgeon is the only alternative, and it is said, that to all but a few connoisseurs, is nearly indistinguishable from Caspian sturgeon. One major difference is in the lower price of American sturgeon caviar.

CAVIAR RECIPE

Yield: 6 servings...

Oyster and Beluga Hors D' Oeuvres a la Mignonette;

2 ounces of beluga caviar (or sturgeon)
3 dozen raw oysters in their shell

For the mignonette sauce...

3 tablespoons of freshly cracked black pepper (preferably not ground)
4 tablespoons of freshly chopped chives
1/3 cup of champagne vinegar
1/4 cup of finely minced shallots

Mix everything together for the sauce and set aside.

To prepare the oysters, open the shells, and separate the oysters from them, slicing between the muscle and the shell cleanly. Take a platter with crushed ice, and arrange 36 half-shells upon it. Place an oyster on each half-shell, spoon on each some of the sauce, and a spoon of beluga caviar on each. Each serving (6 oysters) is about 50 calories.

RED CAVIAR, RED ROE is almost always spoken in reference to salmon caviar, although depending on the type of salmon it comes from, the color may be anywhere from deep red to golden orange. Also called ikura, you can often find this flavorful caviar being served at high-end sushi restaurants.

CAVIAR RECIPE

Caviar Island;

You will need;

1 slice of bread
1 cookie cutter in whatever shape you please
Room temperature Neufchatel cheese (or cream cheese)
1 bowl of chowder or your favorite cream soup
About a tablespoon or so of salmon caviar

Take the slice of bread and lightly toast it. Take your cookie cutter and cut out your desired shape, and spread a little bit of the soft cheese on it, then spoon on the caviar... now just float it atop your chowder or cream soup, and voila! Caviar Island!

CAVIAR SAMPLERS are a superb treat for those who enjoy caviar, and for those just starting to acquire the taste for this luscious delicacy.

The great thing about a caviar sampler is that, well, they allow you to SAMPLE various types of caviar. Some sampler packages are even geared as learning sets for those who wish to gain a bit of knowledge and experience into the world of caviar, much as an adept connoisseur of fine wines.

Another reason a caviar sampler can be beneficial is that for such a large amount and variety of caviar, we can have it all for such a low price.

Now, I've scoured around a bit to find, firstly quality, and secondly, lowest price... my favourite source to date has a large variety of packages available, but we'll just cover a small few here. So, let's take a look at what is available online for these bundles of delicious luxury, shall we?

CAVIAR SAMPLER #1 With this delicious Gourmet black caviar assortment, you're sure to please your palate.

This Package includes;

2 oz of fresh Wild Sturgeon caviar
2oz of Wild Paddlefish caviar and
2oz of Wild American Black caviar.

This caviar selection is in premium quality and is provided to you in a signature caviar box with 7.5oz creme fraiche.

The nice low price for this is well below market at $130.00, and you can get it by visiting HERE.

This box includes a customized card. Upon purchase, simply enter your custom message in the comments area (in the "customer notes" section) and it will be included in the greeting card message.

CAVIAR SAMPLER #2 With this "learning package" caviar basket, you'll be well on your way to heavenly bliss! This basket is ideal for new caviar lovers who want to experience a wide variety of different types of caviar at an affordable package price. This delicious Gourmet caviar basket can also make a great Birthday or Wedding Day/Honeymoon Gift for a loved one or a dear friend.

The Learning Package includes;

1oz Transmontanus Caviar
1oz Hackleback Caviar
1oz Spoonbill Caviar
1oz American Black Caviar
1oz Salmon Caviar
1oz Black Whitefish Caviar
1oz Golden Whitefish Caviar
1oz Royal Golden Black Caviar.

These caviar selections are of premium quality and are provided to you in a signature caviar Box. The great low price for this is well below market at $199.00, and you can get it by visiting HERE.

This box includes a customized card. Upon purchasing, simply enter your custom message in the comments area (In Customer Notes Section) and it will be included in the greeting card message.

CAVIAR SAMPLER #3 With this delicious Gourmet black caviar Leather Box Package, you are sure to impress.

This caviar Package includes;

2 oz of fresh Wild Sturgeon caviar
2oz of Wild Paddlefish caviar and
2oz of Wild American Black caviar.

These premium quality caviar selections are provided to you in an original, Italian leather box with;

7.5oz creme fraiche and
42 piece imported mini toasts package

The superb low price for this is well below market at $180.00, and you can get it by visiting HERE.

This box includes a customized card. Upon purchasing, enter your custom message in the comments area (In Customer Notes Section) and it will be included in the greeting card message.

CAVIAR SAMPLER #4 With this rather large "learning package" caviar basket, you can get the most of your very first (or repeat) caviar experience!

This basket is simply superb for new caviar lovers who desire to experience a large variety of different kinds of caviar at a very affordable package price. This delicious Gourmet caviar basket can also make a phenomenal Birthday, Wedding Day, Honeymoon or Anniversary Gift for a loved one or a dear, close friend.

This Learning Package includes;

1oz Osetra Caviar
1oz Transmontanus Caviar
1oz Hackleback Caviar
1oz Spoonbill Caviar
1oz American Black Caviar
1oz Salmon Caviar
1oz Black Whitefish Caviar
1oz Golden Whitefish Caviar
1oz Royal Golden Black Caviar.

These caviar selections are of supreme quality, and this package also comes with;

Leather box
7.5oz creme fraiche
Imported Mini Blini and
42 piece imported mini toasts package.

The sweet low price for this bundle is well below market at $399.00, and you can get it by visiting HERE.

This Basket is decorated with an ornate bow and customized card.

Upon purchasing, enter your custom message in the comments area (In Customer Notes Section) and it will be included in the greeting card message.

I hope you enjoyed your stay here, and please come back again to see what more I have added (more recipes coming very soon - and for the vegan caviar as well!! ^_^), as this site is a continuing work-in-progress! You can bookmark this site into your browser's favourites list by holding down the "ctrl" button on your keyboard and pressing "d" at the same time.