Are you figuring out which caviar you would enjoy most as a foodie, caviar enthusiast, or luxury lover? There are several options, from extravagant Royal Ossetra to more subtle selections like smoked trout roe. Each is suitable for different occasions and tastes.
Read on to find out what caviar to buy to suit your culinary desires and dining specifications.
Table of Contents
- Best Overall: Royal Ossetra
- Best Budget: Salmon Roe
- Best Splurge: Ossetra Reserve
- Best Taste: River Beluga
- Best for Gifting: Petrusco Tasting Pack
- Best for Beginners: Royal Ossetra and Smoked Trout Bundle
- Best for Connoisseurs: Sevruga Caviar
- Best Texture: Kaluga
- Best Non-Sturgeon Caviar: Smoked Trout Roe
- Purchase Luxury Caviar From Petrusco
Best Overall: Royal Ossetra
Royal Ossetra is the most elegant, flavorful, and luxurious caviar type. It has achieved universal appeal for its culinary versatility and rich taste, which turns to butter on your tongue. The refined flavor makes it a true delicacy.
This caviar type originates from the Caspian Sea, the largest spawning ground for sturgeon in the world. In recent years, Ossetra sturgeon fishlings have been relocated to aquaculture farms where the species can be sustainably farmed.
Royal Ossetra is the best caviar because it delivers the luxurious flavor associated with premium caviar. It transforms any dish from delicious to delicacy.
Taste
Royal Ossetra caviar lives up to its name with its ultra-luxurious, rich taste — fit for royalty! The brine is perfectly salted, providing a fresh ocean scent met with a deep, decadent creaminess.
The warm, nutty flavor contrasts beautifully with the clean oceanic notes and ends with a toasted finish that coats the palette. The brine has a subtle taste that's not too oceanic with a bold, savory tang. Some connoisseurs note hints of nuts and cream coating the delicate brininess.
Texture
Royal Ossetra is one of the best-tasting caviar varieties. Its firm grains soften and melt on the tongue. The brine has a luxurious, smooth texture that mellows into a velvet-like finish. Many connoisseurs relish its firmness, which is met by the rich, buttery mouthfeel.
Aesthetic
Each large bead of Royal Ossetra caviar varies slightly from opulent black to chocolate brown — all tied together by a glistening golden shimmer. These delicious jade and gold jewels of the ocean reflect the sturgeon and their environment. Their rich palette adds a sense of culinary prestige to any dinner table.
Price Point
Royal Ossetra caviar is a luxury delicacy enjoyed by high-wealth individuals, connoisseurs, enthusiasts, and foodies. It also makes occasions more special, memorable, and lavish. Although the price point tends to be higher than many other types of caviar, it's not the most expensive.
Royal Ossetra caviar can cost around $100 for a single ounce. It is more expensive because sturgeon are slow to mature and require high care.
Pairings
Royal Ossetra caviar pairs perfectly with a lightly toasted brioche, highlighting its luxurious ocean creaminess. Connoisseurs or caviar enthusiasts can relish small bites of its buttery, fatty flavor scooped up on a mother-of-pearl spoon and placed on the hand.
Fresh Ossetra caviar goes well with traditional pairings like blinis or any dish that makes it the star. The creamy, nutty notes work well with dry, crisp Champagne to highlight its subtle oceanic brine.
Its decadent nuttiness is perfect for pasta, delicate crepes, and lightly seasoned steaks.
Best Budget: Salmon Roe
When learning how to choose caviar, it's essential to determine a realistic budget. Some caviar types might be as expensive as a small car, while others can cost around the price of a fancy dinner. If you find caviar at an extremely low cost, check the ingredient list — caviar should only contain roe and salt.
However, just because caviar is a luxury item doesn't mean there are no affordable options. The best budget caviar comes from the cost-effective salmon roe, esteemed for its savory flavor and glistening orange-red appearance.
Choose roe from the Copper River Keta Salmon for the best taste and nutrient quality. Like most caviar, it's revered for its heart-healthy omega-3 content, high-quality protein, and rich flavor.
Taste
Salmon roe offers a surprisingly sophisticated range of flavors for its lower price point. It has a salty, slightly sweet taste, with a vibrant oceanic brine that oozes into your mouth. The slight bitterness of the brine, combined with the sweetness, creates an addictive taste that lingers on your taste buds.
Texture
Salmon roe is covered in a thin outer membrane that dissolves on the tongue and transforms into an ocean of umami that melts like butter. The delicate texture allows salmon roe to fall apart in your mouth as you enjoy the creamy yet refreshing sensation.
Aesthetic
The intense peach, orange, and red hues of salmon roe make an eye-catching topping on any dish. The large beads glisten, and the shimmery membrane gleams like the ocean.
Price Point
Salmon roe is a more affordable option than premium caviars. Depending on the season, one ounce typically costs less than $100.
Pairings
This caviar is commonly sprinkled on sushi or used to top a rice bowl. For an ultra-creamy umami explosion, put them atop crispy potato snacks with a dollop of crème fraîche. Connoisseurs may also enjoy them as is or topped with lemon juice.
Best Splurge: Ossetra Reserve
What caviar is best for splurging on a luxury treat? The Ossetra Reserve is a lavish option to impress your guests with an opulent culinary adventure.
Ossetra Reserve is a traditional caviar derived from the treasured Ossetra sturgeon. Its rich and buttery pearls of flavor offer the ultimate gourmet caviar experience. It's a high-grade caviar with a robust, nutty flavor — a real delicacy for special occasions.
Taste
Ossetra Reserve has earthy and briny notes. Its bold, oceanic qualities contribute to the classic caviar richness enthusiasts love. The flavor profile delivers the ultimate luxury dining experience, so it's worth the splurge.
Texture
The texture of Ossetra Reserve is genuinely unique — a buttery, melty heaven. The beads have a firm structure that transforms into a creamy, pearly consistency on your tongue. It's smooth without being oily. The delicate texture is a nod to its premium quality.
Aesthetic
Ossetra Reserve provides a beautiful display of marine hues. Its dark brown beads have flecks of gold that capture the light and make any dish look elegant. This type of caviar is the ultimate splurge to give guests an elegant dining experience. The golden caviar pearls become the centerpiece of any table setting.
Price Point
For this luxury caviar, you can expect to pay upwards of $260 for a 1.7-ounce container, depending on the season.
Pairings
This bundle's flavor-packed, creamy, buttery notes make it a delicacy unaccompanied. If you want to serve it with anything, try chewy cheese wedges for textural bliss, or keep it elegant with French blinis.
Best Taste: River Beluga
If you're looking for the best-tasting caviar, choose River Beluga. River Beluga is the colloquial name for Kaluga sturgeon, and some River Beluga caviar types blend Kaluga and Shassetra roe. It dances on the tongue and offers oceanic notes packaged in a creamy, melty bead.
Traditional Beluga caviar, which comes from Beluga sturgeon, is among the most valuable and luxurious. However, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service banned the import of Beluga caviar in 2005 in an effort to conserve the dwindling species. River Beluga emerged as an affordable, tasty alternative.
Taste
The luxurious taste of River Beluga caviar creates an unforgettable experience for anyone lucky enough to taste it. Each bead gently melts on the tongue and tantalizes the taste buds with a rich, nutty flavor that feels creamy, fatty, and decadent.
Texture
River Beluga feels like a caviar crème brûlée, with a firm bite and an ultra-velvety mouthfeel. Its texture is creamy and slightly fatty while still feeling clean and fresh.
Aesthetic
When you open up a tin of River Beluga caviar, your guests are greeted with a luxurious view. The golden jade beads shimmer and are large to extra-large.
Price Point
River Beluga caviar is much more affordable than traditional Beluga caviar, and you still get that luscious flavor. You can expect to pay around $105 for a single ounce, depending on the season.
Pairings
River Beluga caviar's ultra-creamy, balanced flavor makes it incredibly delicious when served alone. With each bead that sits on the tongue, the creamy texture and nutty, oceanic flavor melt into the taste buds and coat the palate.
It's also divine served on French blinis or buttered toast points and accompanied by dry Champagne or icy cold vodka.
Best for Gifting: Petrusco Tasting Pack
The Petrusco Tasting Pack is an excellent gift option for any lucky recipient. It features tins of River Beluga, Royal Ossetra, and Sevruga caviar. Individuals can enjoy the unique flavors and textures of each premium caviar type. This selection is ideal for connoisseurs, caviar enthusiasts, foodies, and individuals who enjoy luxury products.
Taste
This tasting pack offers three premium caviar types. The Royal Ossetra caviar has a nutty flavor with a refreshing tinge of brine. The River Beluga caviar provides a rich yet balanced taste that perfectly compliments the smoothness and saltiness of the Sevruga caviar.
Texture
Royal Ossetra caviar offers a silky and rich texture that melts in the mouth. It blends beautifully with the delicate feel of the Sevruga caviar. When paired with River Beluga, this range of caviars feels like ocean butter dissolving on the tongue.
The three different caviar types offer a variety of small to medium-sized eggs that provide an exciting culinary experience.
Aesthetic
The dark black and brown hues of Royal Ossetra caviar shimmer, and the jade-like coloring of Sevruga caviar and River Beluga look beautiful on any table. When the gift recipient opens each tin, they will be thrilled at the unique aesthetics of each type.
Price Point
This bundle costs $295 for three one-ounce tins. Royal Ossetra, River Beluga, and Sevruga caviar are all premium ranges that offer nothing less than luxury.
Pairings
The gift recipient can pair these selections in a way that highlights the uniqueness of each one. Here are the top pairing options for this luxury tasting pack:
- Place a small dollop of each type on unsalted crackers.
- Serve on crispy latkes with dill cream.
- Spoon onto toast points.
- Top on a blini with smoked salmon.
- Sprinkle onto deviled eggs.
- Serve with a dash of crème-fraîche and toast corners.
A chilled dry white wine or Champagne goes best with this tasting pack.
Best for Beginners: Royal Ossetra and Smoked Trout Bundle
Caviar is a delectable luxury food with enjoyable flavors and unbeatable creaminess. Milder types of caviar or those with more familiar flavors are the best caviar for beginners. A Royal Ossetra and smoked trout bundle is the perfect option for novices.
Taste
Smoked trout roe has a classic smoky flavor with subtle, sweet, and savory notes that beginners may enjoy. Smoking preserves its flavor while adding woody, fruity notes. Royal Ossetra caviar is an introduction to premium caviar to show novices the refreshing oceanic flavors of many high-quality types.
Texture
Smoked trout roe has a soft, almost milky melted butter texture. Royal Ossetra caviar also has a buttery feel but is creamier with a toasty aftertaste that clings to the palate.
Aesthetic
Both options in the Royal Ossetra and smoked trout bundle offer a range of colors that show beginners the aesthetic variety of caviar types. The bright orange beads of smoked trout roe will get your mouth watering, while the jade and gold hues of Royal Ossetra caviar deliver an elegant appearance that novices will be excited to try.
Price Point
This bundle contains an ultra-luxurious caviar option and one at a mid-level price point, so the typical price for two 1.7-ounce tins is around $175. The luxurious Royal Ossetra gives beginners the old-world flair of premium caviar, while the smoked trout roe brings a more familiar experience.
Pairings
Beginners should try these caviar types without other food to savor their creamy, luxurious, and oceanic notes. They can also enjoy it on French blinis to enjoy the caviar flavor and texture on a neutral carrier.
Best for Connoisseurs: Sevruga Caviar
What caviar should you buy if you're looking for pure luxury? Sevruga caviar is one of the highest-quality caviars available, with a buttery, creamy texture that's so good it feels sinful. These caviar beads look just like pearls and taste just like the ocean. They are a connoisseur's dream because they have a beautifully balanced profile that treats your palate to the ultimate dance of flavors.
Taste
Sevruga caviar is one of the richest, butteriest caviar types. Its subtle brininess dances on the tongue and floods the senses with an energizing oceanic flavor. It's richer, saltier, and more complex than other types of sturgeon, making it a treat for connoisseurs.
Texture
The tiny, delicate pearls dissolve into a creamy brine that coats the palate and ends in luxurious nutty notes. It melts like butter as you move each bead on your tongue.
Aesthetic
Sevruga caviar has an opulent jade-like coloring with a shimmer that lights up any dinner table. Its pearl-like coating gleams.
Price Point
Sevruga caviar comes from the rare Sevruga sturgeon and requires extra care when extracting the dainty beads. It's a luxury caviar that typically costs around $105 for a single ounce.
Pairings
Sevruga caviar is best savored on its own by rolling each pearl on the tongue and enjoying the unique and creamy flavor. Connoisseurs will also enjoy it on authentic French blinis, which serve as the perfect base for the sublime taste and texture.
Best Texture: Kaluga
Kaluga caviar has the best texture. As mentioned, River Beluga is the colloquial name for Kaluga sturgeon. This caviar type has a slightly more pronounced fish taste than other types, but its oceanic nature makes it all the more enjoyable to caviar enthusiasts.
The Kaluga species inhabit coastal sea waters, lakes, and rivers, giving them a varied taste and aesthetic. This caviar type always offers a luxurious treat that impresses.
Taste
Kaluga caviar has a nutty flavor with a subtle touch of salt from the juicy brine. The earthy undertones tie the nuttiness and saltiness together in a comforting, creamy embrace.
Texture
Many people learn how to buy caviar by looking for the "pop," but fresh, premium caviar doesn't pop — it melts. Kaluga caviar dissolves on the tongue, transforming from firm, pearl-like eggs to a creamy mousse of ocean-flavored butter that coats the palate.
Aesthetic
Kaluga caviar has large, shiny beads ranging from amber to brown. They glimmer with a sheen that will have your guests' mouths watering.
Price Point
Kaluga caviar is a more affordable alternative to premium Beluga caviar. Some River Caviar varieties combine Kaluga and Shassetra sturgeon roe and cost around $105 for an ounce.
Pairings
This caviar is a unique treat that should be the star of any dish it's paired with. Kaluga is best enjoyed on its own to savor each melty bead. You can relish it on French blinis or serve it with crème-fraîche and toast points for an ultra-creamy bite.
Drink it with icy vodka to amplify the buttery, oceanic flavors, or enjoy it with mineral-rich dry white wines.
Best Non-Sturgeon Caviar: Smoked Trout Roe
Non-sturgeon caviar comes from the roe of other fish and can offer a unique flavor. Smoked trout roe is the best non-sturgeon option. It's prized for its delicate orange pearls, which gently fall apart in the mouth and bring elegance to any dish.
Smoked trout roe has a pronounced brine that's unique compared to other non-sturgeon options.
Taste
Smoked trout roe has a buttery and umami flavor with a smoky finish. It's more savory than many sturgeon options and offers a light infusion of smokiness.
Texture
This caviar option has a lush, buttery texture that almost resembles velvet. The mouthfeel is refined, while the creaminess clings to the taste buds.
Aesthetic
Smoked trout roe has a distinct appearance with large orange and red pearls. When topped on dishes, it looks exotic and exquisite.
Price Point
This caviar option is typically more affordable than sturgeon caviar. It usually costs less than $100 for an ounce, but the cost depends on the season.
Pairings
Smoked trout roe is a luxury item with a more casual feel. You can enjoy it with a glass of whiskey and your favorite chips. It can also elevate dishes like potatoes and pasta. Or, serve it atop oysters for a seafood delight.
Purchase Luxury Caviar From Petrusco
Do you want to know what caviar is best for you to elevate any dining experience? At Petrusco, we help individuals serve the world's finest caviar while engaging in sustainable harvesting practices so future generations can savor caviar's memorable taste.
All our caviar comes from hand-selected farms that use our manual production technique, which protects these precious species. We age every egg to perfection using sustainable methods, and our fish is raised in established ecosystems to offer you the most delicious, decadent caviar you'll ever taste.
Shop our hand-picked selection of luxury caviar ranges, and add a touch of opulence to your next dining experience.