Why is black caviar useful? After all, the cost of the product is quite high, which means that there must be special arguments in favor of buying caviar. Each sturgeon egg contains practically all the elements and vitamins. Not only is black sturgeon caviar unusually tasty, but it is also one of the most useful and essential products for humans.

Is It Healthy to Eat Caviar?

People eat caviar because it is very healthy. It contains amino acids, proteins, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins A, E, D. It contains a large number of minerals such as phosphorus, selenium, magnesium, zinc, iodine, calcium, potassium, iron, which are necessary for the normal functioning of human organs and systems.

What does caviar do for your skin? Caviar is known for the anti-aging properties of the skin. Caviar has substances that stimulate the production of their own collagen. Collagen provides strength and freshness to the skin, restores its cells, inhibits the development of tumor-like skin formations, stimulates the formation of new cells.

More recently, the healing and beneficial properties of black caviar have been used in the field of cosmetology. It is scientifically proven that the nourishing properties of black caviar will preserve the youthfulness of the skin, as well as the shine and thickness of the hair.

With its stimulating effect, this cosmetics is recommended for women over 35 years old. But due to the high cost of ingredients, cosmetics based on black caviar are produced by only a few eminent global brands and are available to few.

Sturgeon caviar is a product with a high content of easily digestible proteins (30%) and fats (13%). This is a substance involved in cell renewal, folic acid, and vitamins, as well as valuable amino acids. By the way, black caviar contains 20 amino acids, 9 of which are indispensable for humans, and their number is higher than that of caviar of other fish species. Depending on the fish species (beluga, sturgeon, stellate sturgeon, sterlet), it may contain lecithin in varying amounts.

Also, the fat of sturgeon caviar contains a large amount of iodine, which is much more than the meat of the same sturgeon fish. Black sturgeon caviar also contains a high concentration of minerals and chemical elements such as potassium and calcium, magnesium and sodium, phosphorus and manganese, iron, silicon, and zinc, which are necessary for the full functioning of all human organs and systems.

Women planning a pregnancy should monitor their diet and include caviar in it. Folic acid, iodine, proteins, and amino acids, many other useful substances, trace elements, and minerals — the caviar has everything that a baby needs.

As a source of iron, black caviar helps to increase hemoglobin, which is an iron-containing protein that carries oxygen from the respiratory system to the tissues and systems of the body. Also, caviar improves blood circulation, increases the elasticity of the walls and blood vessels.

Black caviar will help to protect older people from stroke, heart attack, coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis. Sturgeon caviar even helps to fight some cancers: vitamins A and D contained in it bind free radicals, which are one of the causes of cancer.

Due to the high nutritional value of black caviar, many believe that it is contraindicated for people on a diet. It is not true. Caviar will not make you fat even if you eat it every day. Caviar does not contain “empty” calories, since caviar is 30% easily digestible protein. Eat a spoonful of “black gold” in pure form or with a half of a boiled chicken egg. It will be a lot more useful for your body and health than a traditional sandwich with butter and caviar. And don’t worry about cholesterol — in black caviar, it is neutralized by beneficial lecithin.

It is believed that seafood is a common cause of food allergies. Black caviar is absolutely hypoallergenic; moreover, it reduces the frequency and severity of allergic attacks. And black caviar is also a powerful aphrodisiac that arouses sexual desire. It is believed that caviar makes women more sensual. For example, the Egyptian queen Hatshepsut ate dishes with black caviar every day and won the fame of a regal seductress.

Is Caviar Bad For You?

Despite all the benefits, caviar can do a lot of harm. First of all, there is a lot of salt in it, which too easily can disrupt the water-salt balance of the body, harming the kidneys. That is why children under 3 years old should not consume delicacy at all.

If you have hypertension or chronic kidney disease, then it cannot be added to food either. Caviar sometimes can cause allergies. If an individual intolerance to black caviar manifests itself, then it should be immediately removed from the diet.

However, the greatest danger of the caviar is the preservatives. Various preservatives are often added, often those that harm the body. Therefore, before purchasing, you should review all documents available to the seller to confirm the quality.

Anyway, caviar is only bad for you when you purchase a low-quality or fake caviar. Check out the guide on how to choose good-quality caviar. When buying black caviar, you should also pay attention to the shelf life and tightness of the packaging. You should not skimp on a delicacy of such a level as black caviar, which simply cannot be cheap by definition. When choosing black sturgeon caviar, you should give preference to a product from an official manufacturer who can guarantee its quality.

Nevertheless, black caviar has much more useful properties. This is, first of all, unconditional health benefits. For example, due to the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids Omega-3 and Omega-6 in the product, one can significantly improve brain function and memory, increase immunity, reduce the risk of blood clots, and improve the functioning of the circulatory system. Fatty acids are also able to prevent the formation of tumors and strengthen the nervous system and improve vision.

Black caviar is certainly not a medicine, but it is quite capable of making the life of people suffering from cardiovascular diseases easier. With anemia and low hemoglobin content, it is recommended to regularly eat black caviar.

Can I Eat Caviar Every Day?

Black caviar is extremely healthy for everyone. You can eat caviar every day if you have this opportunity. Eat not more than 2 teaspoons a day, because if you eat too much caviar every single day, purines in caviar can lead to the formation of kidney stones. Caviar also contains cholesterol and 3-10% sodium chloride, which is not the best for health.

But how much caviar is too much? If you eat it every day, make sure that you do not eat more than two or three teaspoons every day. Can you get sick from eating caviar? Yes, you can simply get sick because of cholesterol and table salt contained in the caviar. By the way, the standard daily intake of caviar is 15-20 grams for an adult, which is 1-2 teaspoons of caviar.

For black caviar to bring you gastronomic delight and only benefit your body, purchase this delicacy exclusively from legit companies. By purchasing a product produced in the fishery, you can be sure of its high quality. At aquaculture enterprises, they strictly adhere to sanitary standards, control all stages of fish growing and obtaining caviar is similar to an operating room with sterile conditions, and adherence to all the intricacies of technology.

Black caviar is not only a symbol of luxury but also a very useful and unique product. Each egg is filled with strength, health, longevity, and immunity inherent in nature, thanks to which sturgeons, having survived many natural disasters, were able to survive to this day.

To check the quality of caviar, place a few caviar eggs in a container of hot water. If they become soft or dissolve, it is fake caviar made from gelatin and algae. If the water is colored, you bought colored caviar from another fish. Real sturgeon caviar does not lose color and does not dissolve in water. If you pour boiling water over it, it will practically boil and become dense. Fake caviar will soften and simply burst when pressed.

Unfortunately, in pursuit of dishonest profits, scammers, under the guise of an expensive product, sell fake caviar. Given the high price of this product, unscrupulous suppliers continue to successfully deceive many buyers, constantly improving their technologies for creating a counterfeit product.

Fake caviar has no value, and its only advantage is its low price. It cannot be compared to natural caviar’s taste and useful properties. In order not to buy fake caviar, you should take a closer look at its appearance.

How Can You Tell Good-Quality Caviar? How to Choose Good Caviar?

To tell whether caviar is real, you need to check the following characteristics:

• Caviar Appearance

Real sturgeon caviar has a characteristic color and size of eggs. If the caviar is of bright black color without shades, it is probably artificial caviar. Another sign of artificial caviar is a white coating on the surface. Pay attention to the density of caviar in the package — when the can is tilted, it should not slide down the walls or lie in a sticky lump.

In order not to buy fake caviar, you should take a closer look at its appearance. What is real caviar? Real caviar eggs cannot be perfectly spherical in shape. If you are offered such a fish product, then it is most likely protein. Of course, the size of real caviar depends on the type of fish, but even the largest beluga is several times smaller than fake caviar. 

Real, high-quality caviar does not have a pronounced fishy smell. In the manufacture of artificial black caviar, it is necessary to introduce additional flavors to drown out the taste of gelatin. Natural high-quality caviar should not have any white coating.

Often sellers of fake black caviar treat caviar with vegetable oil to give it a fresh look and shine. Before buying, rub the eggs with your fingers, if there is an oil trace, then they are treated with oil. When pressed with a spoon, a real egg should burst. If it remains elastic, then it is fake.

Good quality caviar should be uniform and crumbly. Look at the light through the glass packaging with caviar – there should be no liquid or sticky eggs in a jar. If the jar is tilted, the contents should not float. You can shake the tin jar, if you hear squelching sounds, then the caviar is of poor quality or fake.

Some unscrupulous producers mix eggs of different quality in one jar. Waste or spoiled product is usually placed under the top quality layer. To make sure you don’t buy such a sandwich, use a small spoon to remove a couple of eggs from the bottom of the jar. They should be crumbly and not dry.

• Taste and Smell

Real caviar has practically no fish smell but has a subtle aroma of the sea. If the caviar has a pronounced fishy smell, this is most likely a fake or a sign that the caviar is spoiled. The taste of sturgeon caviar is very delicate, with nutty-creamy notes, sometimes with a slight bitterness. The presence of pronounced bitterness is unacceptable, this may indicate that harmful preservatives have been added to the product. An excess of salt is also a bad sign. Most likely, this caviar was prepared in violation of the technologies and standards.

• Manufacturer

The manufacturer is by far the most important criteria. Make sure that it is a legit manufacturer that follows all the necessary standards and has all the necessary documents.

• Container and Documents

Legal black caviar is sold in tin and glass jars. Glass containers allow you to immediately visually assess the type of caviar, color, egg size. Checking the quality of caviar in a tin can is a little more difficult, but possible. Shake the tin jar — if the caviar “dangles” in it or it feels like there is too much liquid in the jar, it is better not to buy such caviar.

Of course, from the point of view of hygiene and consumer qualities, it is better to buy packaged black caviar. After all, it is not known when the loose caviar was produced and opened, in what conditions it was stored. In order not to buy fake caviar, you need to carefully study the packaging.

On the factory packaging, there must be an inscription: “Sturgeon caviar”. The label must contain information on the type of fish: beluga, sturgeon, stellate sturgeon, sterlet. On the etiquette with real caviar, it is indicated on what technical conditions it was released.

The expiration date can also tell a lot about the authenticity of caviar. Unpasteurized grains cannot be stored for more than two months, and pasteurized shelf life does not exceed eight months. The shelf life of pressed caviar cannot be more than a month at all. If the jar has a shelf life of more than 12 months, then this is most likely a fake or preservatives were used in the production.

Be sure to pay attention to the composition indicated on the package: it should not contain anything except caviar, salt, and preservative. Pasteurized caviar contains nothing at all except salt and caviar. Vegetable oil and any other additives (borax, sodium benzoate) are a sign of counterfeit or poor quality products.

You also need to pay attention to the relevant documentation. Conscientious manufacturers always provide a declaration of conformity for the product, it can be required at any point of sale. The documents must indicate that the caviar is legally produced on an aquaculture farm.

• Shops

You need to buy black caviar only in trusted stores. It is available for sale in almost all major retail chains. But the goods at a low price from private traders are almost certainly poaching caviar, obtained by the barbaric slaughter method and salted in violation of all conceivable norms. Also, the purchase of illegally obtained caviar is direct support for the poaching industry.

• Price

Real sturgeon caviar cannot be cheap. Its production is a very costly and laborious process. The sturgeon grows very slowly, and it is necessary to make a lot of efforts to raise a healthy mature individual before obtaining eggs. Cheap caviar is almost certainly a fake or illegally obtained product.

Types of Counterfeit Black Caviar

• Colored caviar of non-sturgeon fish. They use grains of caviar from pike, cod, capelin, or even halibut. It can be sold separately or mixed with real black caviar.
• Artificial imitation of seaweed caviar.
• Artificial imitation of tinted gelatin caviar with the addition of chemicals.
• Black caviar obtained by poachers. Although it is inherently not a fake, it poses a huge danger to human health. Since the usual habitat and feeding of sturgeon is the bottom, it is important to understand that in water bodies all toxic and harmful substances settle there. Real black caviar, which is sold, is produced on aquaculture farms in environmentally friendly conditions.

How to Protect Yourself From Purchasing Counterfeit Black Caviar?

First of all, you need to know the features of the factory packaging of real caviar after its extraction. Remember, real caviar is sold only in cans or glass with a tin lid. All other packaging methods, no matter how beautiful they are called (for example, barrel black caviar), is counterfeit.

Only certain manufacturers have permission to supply black caviar. They will never supply caviar to the markets in any plastic containers or barrels. All products from private traders are either poaching caviar that is hazardous to health, or fake. Remember, you should buy caviar strictly in tin or glass jars with a lid.

Glass jars are perfect for visual inspection of caviar. At the same time, if you shake an iron jar with caviar, you can conclude that this is a fake product. Also, be sure to pay attention to the composition of the product indicated on the jar. In real caviar there is nothing but caviar, edible salt and preservative. Mentioning anything else, even ordinary vegetable oil, will already indicate to you that caviar is fake.

Also, be sure to pay attention to the name of the fish you are going to buy caviar. Catching beluga is prohibited by law, so if beluga caviar is indicated, be sure that this is counterfeit.

The price of black caviar in most cases also indicates its origin. The lowered price should signal to you about the danger of purchasing a counterfeit or hazardous to health product of unknown expiration date and place of origin.

Be sure to look at the manufacturer indicated on the packaging; it should be located in territorial proximity to the production region.

In an attempt to save money, you can easily buy something completely different from what is actually black caviar, and in the worst case, even harm your health. It is very important not to fall for the tricks of dishonest scammers and not to be an unwitting sponsor of poaching activities, buying black caviar of unknown origin. Be sure to pay attention to the points described above when buying black caviar. And let it bring joy and pleasure to you and your loved ones.

Black caviar is not only a delicious delicacy but also a real storehouse of useful elements. It contains many vitamins, folic acid, and fish oil, which are so valuable for health. The high cost of black caviar is primarily due to the disappearance of the sturgeon species from which it is obtained. Fortunately, today black caviar is produced on special farms where these endangered fish species are bred.

To pamper yourself with black caviar, it is better to purchase it in a small package since black caviar is a delicate perishable product and cannot be stored for a long time. And yet, if you bought black caviar and could not immediately eat the entire jar, then you should know how to properly store black caviar.

How do you store black caviar? Black caviar must not be stored in tin containers. It should be put into a glass container and closed with a lid or covered with a cling film. The optimum temperature for storing black caviar is -4°C. Do not freeze caviar, or the eggs will burst, which will have a negative effect not only on the appearance but also the caviar taste. 

• Caviar is stored in glass containers longer than in tin ones. For example, caviar in a glass jar will stay fresh for 3 months at a temperature of +4°, while it will only last for 2 months in a tin container. Therefore, if you intend to store caviar for a long time or buy it as a gift, it is better to choose glass.
• You cannot store caviar in an open metal container after opening it, as the metal is quickly oxidized. As soon as you open the tin, caviar must either be eaten immediately or put into a plastic/glass container. It is convenient to have a special caviar dish for this case.

What temperature should caviar be stored at? Caviar should be stored at a temperature of   -4 to -6 degrees Celsius. The caviar should not be placed in the freezer. At low temperatures, the eggs burst, the consistency and taste change. The shelf life of caviar, packed in an airtight container, is about 12 months. 

Store caviar next to the back wall of the refrigerator, where the temperature is zero. Do not store the delicacy on the door since this is the warmest place in the fridge. Even if the expiration dates are acceptable, check the lid for swelling before use. Do periodic checks during storage.

• You can find out the shelf life of black caviar from the information on the package. Also, manufacturers often add temperature and storage conditions to the information. Usually, in a closed jar, the product is stored for 8—12 months, and in an open one for 3 days.
• Caviar in an opened jar must be eaten within 3 days. At the same time, it must be transferred to a glass container that is suitable in size, tightly closed with a lid and sent to the refrigerator.
• In a glass container with a sealed (rubberized) lid, the shelf life of black caviar in the refrigerator is 2 months. It is important that the lid is always tightly closed.
• Storing black caviar without a tin jar at home is limited to three months. And ideally, use it within 1 month from the date of purchase. If you store this product for a long time, its taste will change, and it will become unsafe to eat it.

Black caviar is an expensive delicacy. If caviar is not stored properly, it will go bad in two-three days. If caviar has acquired a pungent, unpleasant odor, it has gone bad and should be thrown away immediately, otherwise, it will lead to food poisoning.

How to Store Opened Caviar

If you opened the caviar container, you need to transfer it to a clean glass or plastic container. Firstly, pour 1-2 tablespoons of refined vegetable oil into the container. Put the caviar in this container. Close the container tightly with a lid without an air gap. Place the container closer to the back of the refrigerator. It is not recommended to store open black caviar for more than three days.

How long and at what temperature should caviar be stored? In closed jars and at temperatures from 0 to minus 4 C, caviar can be stored for months, but as soon as you open the lid, the caviar inevitably begins to oxidize. That is why opened caviar will keep fresh only for three days.

Unopened caviar lasts for 9-12 months at a temperature from 0 to minus 5°C, 2-3 months at a temperature of 3-5°C.

Does refrigerated caviar go bad? Refrigerated caviar does not go bad as long as you keep the caviar next to the back wall where the temperature is the lowest. Do not store caviar on the door of the fridge because temperature changes will make the caviar go bad quickly.

Freezing Black Caviar

Is it okay to freeze caviar? It is not okay to freeze caviar because this will lead to the eggs bursting. After that, the eggs will stick to each other and will turn into a mashed substance with no taste or smell. Freezing caviar will also eliminate all the useful properties and vitamins of the caviar.

If you decide to freeze caviar, you can do this only once. Repeated freezing will lead to the formation of a gray unappetizing mass instead of individual shiny eggs. Here is how to freeze caviar properly:

• Divide the caviar into several small portions and defrost the required amount as needed;
• Pour a teaspoon of any vegetable oil into each container, close hermetically;
• Use the fast freeze mode so that large ice crystals do not form;
• Maintain a constant low temperature.

How long can you freeze caviar? If you follow all the caviar freezing recommendations, you can freeze caviar for up to 24 months. However, you must defrost caviar properly to keep its taste and appearance. Put the container with caviar in the refrigerator for 10-12 hours. And only then complete the defrosting process at room temperature.

When transporting black caviar, it is better to provide additional packaging in the form of a thermal bag with a refrigerant element or a thermal bag. When flying over a long distance, take caviar in your carry-on because the temperature in the luggage compartment of an aircraft is always lower than in the cabin.

Are you thinking about throwing a party and want to impress your guests? Then bringing black caviar to the table is a must! In this article, we will show you how to serve black caviar at a party so that you and your guests can enjoy the exquisite taste of this rare delicacy.

So, how do you serve caviar at a party? Caviar at parties is served in special caviar bowls nested on crushed ice to keep the caviar chilled. Real gourmets eat caviar using silver, mother-of-pearl, or bone spoons. Caviar goes well with pancakes, boiled eggs, sour cream sauce with dill, and parsley. Black caviar is served with champagne, French Chablis wine, or chilled vodka.

Black caviar is eaten with small spoons – mother-of-pearl, silver, or bone. Do not eat black caviar from metal spoons, as it can get metallic notes.

Secrets of Serving Caviar at a Party

• Let the caviar warm up before serving. When you take the caviar jar from the fridge and put it in the serving bowl, let the delicacy sit for 15 minutes at room temperature. This way, the caviar will have a more complex taste – salty, fishy, nutty, and even slightly sweet.
• Avoid metal cutlery and bowls. When interacting with metal, black caviar will oxidize and can take on an unpleasant metallic taste. To keep the real taste of black caviar, serve it in glass, ceramic, crystal bowls, and bone or silver spoons.
• Get the right amount of black caviar. Yeah, black caviar is super expensive, but if you want to throw the best party and impress your guests, expect to get at least 30 grams of caviar per person. So if you have a party of 10 people, you will need to have 300 grams of caviar.

What Is Traditionally Served With Caviar?

Caviar can be served with white bread toasts with a little butter. Biscuits, crackers, and thin crispbread are also great. Tartlets and oxen are popular. An additional ingredient for such snacks is soft cheese and cream. Olives and herbs are usually used as decoration. Another great variation of the original appetizer is a sliced fresh cucumber ​​or boiled quail eggs with black caviar. 

An exquisite combination is caviar and oysters, served with lemon wedges. An open oyster is sprinkled with lemon juice, and a spoonful of caviar is placed on top. Sparkling dry wine or brut is in perfect harmony with such a dish. You can pay tribute to the Russian tradition and serve black caviar with pancakes and sour cream. A no less popular combination in Russia is caviar with bread and butter.

It is also believed that caviar in itself is a perfect snack for vodka. This Russian gastronomic tradition has gone far beyond the borders of Russia. However, another option that is popular in France is black caviar and champagne. The contrasting combination of sparkling wine and salty caviar makes the experience unforgettable.

What Condiments Are Served with Caviar?

Caviar’s mildly salty and nutty flavor goes well with many condiments. Here are some ideas you can use:

• Plain white toast or crackers. This is the most common black caviar condiment. White bread and crackers do not interrupt the exquisite flavor of black caviar and even enhance it.
• Blini (Crepes). In Slavic countries, blini are the most popular addition to black and red caviar. During the mass emigration of the Russian elite to Europe and America, the tradition of eating caviar with pancakes migrated to Europe and the New World.
• Danish butter. Danish butter has a different salt balance than what we most often find in supermarket butter. It may seem to you that there is not much difference in which oil to use with caviar, but when you feel the difference yourself, you will feel how much brighter the taste of caviar will become with Danish butter.
• Creme fraiche. Creme Fraiche is an alternative to butter. Crème fraîche is a French fermented milk product prepared from cow’s milk cream sourdough. The crème fraîche has a pleasant, slightly sour taste and is similar to sour cream in both taste and production technology. Creme Fraiche can be found plain or with the addition of garlic, spices, or herbs.
• Boiled eggs (white), sliced ​​or whole, go very well with caviar, as they mainly act as a platform for serving a delicious dish, as they have practically no taste of their own.
• Chopped red onion can be used with caviar to highlight the salty undertones of black caviar. Be sure to use red onions in moderation, as it is easy to spoil the taste of caviar with onions.
• Smoked salmon is always a great compliment to caviar, which can be placed on top of a slice of fish or wrapped like in blini.
• Chives are another addition to caviar. But, just like red onions, it must be used in moderation since just a little overdoing can easily spoil the taste of caviar.