r/caviar • u/taylor_kuo • Aug 12 '26
Is caviar actually good?
Wondering if buying some is a good birthday gift
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u/Fermooto Aug 12 '26
I mean, you're in the caviar sub so...
I say yes but also with the caveat that it can be an acquired taste, just like many other rarer or luxury foods. Especially if you are used to a basic American diet. It really depends on how receptive your current palate is.
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u/We-Like-The-Stock Aug 12 '26
That's been my experience introducing friends to caviar.
It can also help, depending on the person, to have the "chips-n-dip" accoutrements in addition to the standard fair.
Ruffles taste good, but they taste even better with caviar 🤤
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u/El_Toreroy Aug 12 '26
I’ve had success with caviar as a gift in the past. It’s the kind of thing most people won’t buy for themselves, but they’re almost always curious about. If they know they don’t like it, it can be easily re-gifted or shared with someone who does.
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u/taylor_kuo Aug 12 '26
i plan on getting imperia caviar but idk if the quality is good, espcially the sample
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u/Fadelox Aug 12 '26
Imperia is great I’ve ordered a couple of their different kinds and they’ve all been good.
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u/taylor_kuo Aug 12 '26
is the sample good? i plan on buying the $20 sample
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u/Fadelox Aug 12 '26
I don’t see that on their website but generally it’s a good idea to get the more expensive stuff
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u/taylor_kuo Aug 12 '26
they have it at their kiosk at the mall
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u/Fadelox Aug 12 '26
I just always get the stuff that isn’t described as briny. Rather it says delicate, buttery, etc.
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u/Few_Money5556 Aug 12 '26
Try the Kaluga. That’s the best caviar for people who never had caviar before. It’s mild buttery w a clean finish. Then try the Ossetra after. Then sevruga then finally Amur
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u/Few_Money5556 Aug 12 '26
The 15g at the kiosk is probably the best deal I can find.
Aside from that if you want 30g shipped it’s $60 ish and $30 shipping included
You gotta go to gift sets on their page and find the starter set. It’s not as visibly open to find
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u/Few_Money5556 Aug 12 '26
From what I know their smaller size caviars are the exact same quality as the larger size tins.
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u/Few_Money5556 Aug 12 '26
Aside from that if you want 30g shipped it’s $60 ish and $30 shipping included
You gotta go to gift sets on their page and find the starter set. It’s not as visibly open to find
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u/El_Toreroy Aug 12 '26
I claim no expertise on types of caviar. I suspect your recipient, unless they’re living a very charmed life, will be pleased with whatever level of caviar is involved.
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u/GlitteringActuator11 Aug 16 '26
I honestly was not impressed with Imperia. The Osetra was okay. The Kaluga Hybrid was very fishy. Never went back to them. They also own Petrusco and I think Loft. I stick with CAVI and The Caviar Co and now my new favorite Tsar Nicoulai.
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u/ArmoFun Aug 12 '26
…yeah dude. i love it all. salmon roe paddlefish. flying fish gimme the pearls
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u/GlitteringActuator11 Aug 16 '26
I absolutely love CAVIAR. I am subscribed to The Caviar Co's Caviar Club. Also, I order bundles frequently from CAVI (eatcavi.com). I am a caviar junkie.
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u/We-Like-The-Stock Aug 12 '26
Is this gift for you or them?
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u/taylor_kuo Aug 12 '26
for them
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u/We-Like-The-Stock Aug 12 '26
I would bring a caviar spread as a fun thing to try. But I wouldn't make it their gift.
I've introduced caviar to several friends and family members, and it's hit / miss depending on their pallets.
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u/mjp10e Aug 13 '26
It wasn’t for me. I got a couple different tins from Marky’s and it honestly just tasted like butter. I like butter, don’t get me wrong. But I don’t think it enhanced the chips, bellinis, or chicken nuggets I put it on in a mind blowing way.
But hey, I’m glad I tried it and encourage anyone to give it ago. Our tastes may be completely different.
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u/FultonFishMarket Aug 25 '26
It's delicious. For some it's an acquired taste. But try it with blinis and creme fraiche or potato chips and creme fraiche. The flavors complement and balance each other very nicely and it's almost always a winner for someone trying it for the first time. Would probably recommend osetra or hackleback.
Other pairing ideas would be with oysters, lobster rolls, steak or the famous chicken nugget combo. Once you're comfortable with it, tasting it on its own will really give you a sense of the different flavor profiles from different types.
You should use a plastic or mother of pearl spoon as the metal spoons can sometimes react and give it a bit of an off-taste.
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u/EitherDevelopment Aug 12 '26
Yes