How to Serve Caviar | The KHAVIYAR Guide

How much caviar per person

For a tasting moment at the start of an evening, allow 15 to 20 grams per person. For caviar as the centre of the table, 30 to 50 grams each is generous. A 30g tin serves two as an introduction. A 100g tin sets a table of four without restraint.

The right temperature

Caviar is served cold, never frozen. Keep the tin in the coldest part of the refrigerator and open it 5 to 10 minutes before serving, resting on a bed of crushed ice. Once opened, enjoy it within a day or two. The pearls are unpasteurised and alive with flavour, and they reward promptness.

The spoon matters

Never metal. Steel and silver react with the delicate pearls and leave a metallic shadow on the palate. Use mother of pearl, bone, or glass. The nacre of a mother of pearl spoon is inert, so the caviar tastes only of itself.

How to taste

Place a small spoonful on the back of your hand between thumb and forefinger. Let it warm for a moment, then take it in one motion. Press the pearls gently against the roof of the mouth and let them break. First comes the butter, then the sea, then a long clean finish. This is how graders taste at the farm and it remains the truest way.

What to serve it with

Purists take caviar alone or on warm blini with creme fraiche. Beyond that, a cold half dozen oysters each crowned with a spoon of pearls, new potatoes steamed and split, or simply salted butter on good bread. Avoid strong aromatics like raw onion if the caviar is fine. It needs no rescue.

What to drink

Dry sparkling wine made in the traditional method is the classic for a reason, the acidity and fine bead lift the butterfat of the pearls. Ice cold vodka in small pours is the older tradition and remains superb. A taut dry Riesling or a lean Chablis style Chardonnay also serve beautifully.

Kaluga or Kaluga Hybrid

Our Signature Kaluga carries large amber pearls with butter and walnut and a long finish, the choice for the centre of the table. The Kaluga Hybrid is gentler and rounder with a soft brine, a beautiful introduction and a natural partner to oysters. Many tables keep both and let guests decide.

Provenance you can verify

Every KHAVIYAR tin arrives with CITES certification, farm direct, unpasteurised, freshly chilled and never frozen. Read more about the house on our heritage page, or browse the current tins.