What does caviar taste like?
If you have never tried caviar, the first thing to know is that it is not "fishy". Fresh, good caviar tastes clean, lightly salty and rich, with a texture that is just as important as the flavor.
The first impression: salt and brine
Caviar is lightly salted, and the salt is the first thing you notice, along with a clean taste of the sea. Good caviar is salted gently so that it supports the flavor rather than covering it. "Malossol", a Russian word meaning "little salt", describes this style.
The middle: butter and cream
As the pearls break, you get a smooth, buttery richness. Many people describe it as creamy, with a mild sweetness. This is where the differences between types of caviar show up most.
The finish: nutty and clean
Good caviar leaves a quiet, lingering finish, often described as nutty or mineral, and it should never taste bitter, metallic or strongly fishy. If it does, it is either not fresh or not well handled.
Texture matters as much as flavor
Quality caviar has pearls that are intact and slightly firm, and they pop gently against the roof of your mouth. Soft, broken or mushy pearls are a sign that it is old or has been handled badly.
What Kaluga Hybrid tastes like
Opus Kaluga Hybrid is a farm-raised caviar from a cross of Huso dauricus and Acipenser schrenckii. It has large, firm pearls and a buttery, almond-leaning flavor with a clean, lingering finish. It is fresh and unpasteurized, which is why we keep it cold and deliver it the same day.
How to taste it properly
- Keep it cold, and open it just before tasting.
- Use a non-metal spoon, such as mother-of-pearl, bone, wood or glass.
- Put a small amount on the back of your hand or on a spoon, rather than on bread.
- Let the pearls rest on your tongue, then press them gently against the roof of your mouth.
- Take a sip of something dry and cold, like sparkling wine or chilled vodka, between tastes.
Once you know what the plain flavor is, add plain blini and crème fraîche. Our guide to serving caviar covers the rest.
Opus Caviar is opening soon with same-day courier delivery across the South Bay. Join the list to be first to order.