Three roes, chosen without compromise

Caviar bought well is a simple thing. It is fresh roe, lightly salted, kept cold from the moment it is tinned until the moment it is opened. Most of what separates a good tin from a disappointing one happens in handling, not in marketing, which is why we sell three roes rather than a catalogue and ship every order overnight in a monitored cold chain.

The three roes

Golden Osetra is the flagship. Radiant golden to amber pearls of medium-large grain, with a firm pop that gives way to a nutty, buttery palate and a subtle oceanic finish. It is the most complex of the three and the one most often served on its own, with nothing underneath it.

Kaluga Reserve is the closest living relative of Beluga, and the most savory expression in the collection. The pearls give a smooth, buttery burst and a creamy finish that lingers longer than the other two. If you have had caviar before and found it too delicate, this is the one to try.

Kaluga Amber has the largest pearls, in warm amber, and the gentlest profile. It is the most welcoming of the three, and where the considered enjoyment of caviar most often begins. Nothing about it is a compromise; it is simply the easiest place to start.

If you would rather compare than commit, The Flight brings all three together in one shipment so you can taste them side by side. It ships free.

How much to order

Served as its own course, plan on about 1 oz per person. Served as one bite among other canapes, half an ounce is comfortable. A 2 oz tin suits two people making an occasion of it. A 4.4 oz tin covers a dinner party of four to six alongside other food. Larger formats, up to 1 kg, are available on every roe for events and trade service.

Storage and freshness

Caviar is fresh seafood, not a pantry item. Hold unopened tins at 28-32°F, colder than the main compartment of most refrigerators, and enjoy within four weeks of the packing date. Once opened, finish within three days and press the lid firmly back against the surface of the roe between servings. Never freeze it: ice crystals rupture the individual eggs and the pearls turn soft once thawed.

How we ship

Orders leave Monday through Thursday before 12PM EST, so no tin sits in a facility over a weekend. Everything ships overnight, packed cold with gel packs in insulated packaging, and arrives chilled and ready to plate. Orders over $250 ship free. Because caviar is perishable, all sales are final; if a package arrives damaged or warm, write to us and we will make it right.

Serving

Keep the tin on ice and use a non-metallic spoon, traditionally mother-of-pearl, since metal reacts with the roe and leaves a tinny note behind. Serve cold. Blini, creme fraiche, and unsalted toast are the classic accompaniments, and dry Champagne or chilled vodka the classic pours, but a good tin asks for none of it.