Is there a special event coming soon and you’re thinking about creating a festive experience to share with loved ones? How about a caviar soirée? If this sounds like a good idea, you need to know the basic rules of caviar pairings.
Caviar goes well with many foods and drinks, but if you think about cheese and caviar, you cannot pick a random cheese from the supermarket. This also applies to wine, champagne or vodka. Here is what you need to know to create the perfect caviar dining experience.
Table of Contents
How to serve caviar?
First things first: caviar should be served in a specific way. The presentation plays a big role in how you enjoy this delicacy. Caviar needs to be showcased as the star of the dining table. Finest caviar can be even served as a standalone dish. Also, keep in mind that the optimal serving temperature is somewhere around 26-35F (that’s -3 to 1C), so very cold.
The best way to serve caviar is straight from the tin, because this way you avoid breaking the precious fish roe. Otherwise, caviar can be carefully transferred to a glass or ceramic bowl (not metal), but moving it requires patience and attention, to keep intact.
In order to keep it cool, the caviar tin or bowl should be placed within another recipient, like a larger bowl, filled with ice cubes.
Next, think about the utensils. Usually, caviar is served with a teaspoon, but beware – it should not be made of metal (unless it’s gold). Why, you may ask? The purpose goes beyond fanciness, it is actually a smart way to avoid oxidation or transfer of unintended flavors. Instead, go for glass, wood or plastic perlized spoons or even animal horn spoons. The original utensil is made of mother-of-pearl and it might be the most elegant choice you can make.
What pairs well with caviar?
Now that the very basics are set, let’s see what goes well with caviar. Many caviar aficionados will state that caviar should not be paired with anything, as “distractions” might steal away from its aroma. However, certain foods can compliment caviar very well and add complexity to the final taste of the dish.
The main elements you will want next to your caviar are blini, lemon wedges, cheese, eggs, fruit and butter. Drinks are a different conversation. You can add many more sides, like potatoes, onions, crackers and even meats and seafood, if you want a more elaborate table. Let us go through the main pairing categories and develop what’s good with caviar, to get a clearer idea.
The ideal caviar crackers: How to serve caviar with blini
Blini are a variation of pancakes specific to Russian and Ukrainian cuisine. Texture and width wise, they are more similar to French crêpes than American classic pancakes.
They come in small, hand-sized shapes. Blini are traditionally made with a combination of wheat and buckwheat flour. This gives them a toasty, amber color, and you can definitely feel the buckwheat flavor, which goes well with caviar. You can purchase ready made blini or you can make you own. Blini are fantastically easy to cook and are more delicious if homemade.
Blini pair wonderfully with many sides, like avocado, hardboiled eggs, crème fraiche, capers and even ham. However, the original purpose of blini was to cut out the fatness of fish roe and envelop the tasty seaborn treat in a nutty, warm texture.
The right way to eat caviar blini is to top the pancake with a spreadable (butter or crème fraiche) and half a teaspoon caviar, roll it up and then serve. You can also roll the blini with plain caviar and enjoy the pure taste of the classic combination.
If you have a caviar themed dinner party in mind, blini cannot be missing from the menu. Make sure the blini are served on a hot plate, so they don’t go cold during the feast. You can also place them on a butcher’s block, next to something warm, such as eggs.
What cheese goes with caviar
Before we tell you what cheese goes with caviar , you should know that cheese and caviar are a match made in heaven! There is a wide variety of specialty cheeses that pair well with caviar, but here are the very best options. Usually, smooth and creamy cheeses are considered the most inspired selections.
Here you have the classic crème fraiche, all Brie varieties, and more refined options, like Brebirousse d’Argental, Caseificio dell’Alta Langa Il Nocciolo and Nicasio Valley Foggy Morning, that are the best caviar and cheese pairings.
Besides creamy cheeses, you can always opt for a fine selection of Asiago, Camembert and Gouda. All of these cheeses have a smooth complexion and go well with caviar.
The one thing to keep in mind is not to go for a high-character cheese, like the blue varieties. This type of cheeses can overcome the natural flavors of caviar.
Caviar fruit pairings
Next in line on what goes with caviar are fruit. Here you can go for fresh or confit fruit, both amazing options. In terms of fresh fruit, pears, apples, grapes, jackfruit and physalis are excellent choices. You can always opt for a side of confit and/or dehydrated fruit plate, such as apricots, raisins, mango and dates.
Even if fruit is not something you enjoy next to caviar, it will add a pop of color to the dining table. Also, keep in mind that fruit goes excellently with cheese and blini. So, if your guests have had enough caviar (said no one ever!), they can always switch to something lighter.
Keep your fresh fruit on a colder temperature, to enhance their natural flavors. You can use the same technique as for caviar. Simply nestle the fruit bowl in a larger one that’s filled with crushed ice or ice cubes.
Caviar drink pairings
The moment we’ve all been waiting for! The only element missing from this divine dinner party are the drinks. Traditionally, caviar was served with vodka or champagne. Nowadays, this rule has been extended to a larger variety of drinks. The list now includes wine, aromatic spirits and even beer.
The unconventional: Caviar drink pairings
Let us start with the most unusual and work our way to the classics. Beer is probably the unicorn of caviar pairings, but there are, indeed, types of beer that work well in the mix. For a caviar party, you will not go wrong with Pilsner, Porter and Amber Ale varieties. Jever Pilsener, Birrificio Italiano Tipopils and Bellwoods Bellweiser are sure deals when it comes to a Pilsner selection for caviar.
Porter is a dark, dense beer that goes best with caviar. You may want to opt for the finest types of Porter out there. Try Stone Smoked Porter, Wingman P-51 or Deschutes Black Butte to really impress the crowd.
Now, for Amber Ale. This is the most playful beer variety, so you will want to keep it classy. Anything too aromatic might disturb the pleasurable taste of caviar. Ninkasi Dawn of the Red, Bell’s Amber Ale and Maine Beer Company Zoe are your best bets.
The tradiotional: Caviar and vodka
In terms of spirits, vodka will always be the best choice for a caviar pairing. Go for something super pure and fresh, that will meet the richness of caviar in a well-balanced way. Grey Goose, Haku and Hangar 1 are good choices for your caviar dinner.
The classic: Champagne caviar and best caviar with wine pairings
We’ve reserved a special section just for the bubblies and wines, the true stars of any caviar themed dinner party. A little-known fact is that, in Russian caviar tradition, champagne is left last, for dessert. As you know, Russians prefer their caviar with vodka. However, nowadays, caviar lovers enjoy pairing caviar with a fine wine or a glass of Brut champagne.
For wines, it is good to keep in mind that certain varieties pair with certain types of caviar. For example, a classic glass of Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon works best with Beluga and Osetra caviar varieties. Champagne and sparking wines usually go with any type of caviar, however Black caviar varieties are to be preferred.
If you are planning to outdo yourself, go for a fine champagne selection. A glass of Taittinger Comtes de Champagne or Champagne Louis Roederer by Cristal are both excellent choices.
Caviar serving tips and tricks
The first tip is that, if you have more than one selection of caviar, serve them by intensity levels.
Serve different types of caviar by intensity levels
This means that the milder types of caviar go first, and the more intense will follow. For instance, if you have prepared a tin of White Sturgeon and one of Sevruga caviar, you will serve them in this order. White Sturgeon is known for its milder flavor and creamier texture, while Sevruga is more robust in taste.
How much caviar to serve per person
Next, think about portions. How many guests do you have? The polite portion of caviar per guest should be somewhere around half an ounce to one ounce. Of course, it is deeply impolite for someone to scoop up caviar like peas, but it is also inadequate not to have enough to satisfy everyone invited.
Buy small tins: lots of them
Before you buy caviar, make an action plan.You might be tempted to go for larger tins, especially if you have a party planned. However, keep in mind that oxidation can seriously damage the quality of your caviar. Instead, go for multiple smaller tins, which are sure to be consumed integrally. This way, you won’t have to reseal your caviar and expose it to air damage. In addition, exposed caviar, however well preserved, will have its taste altered pretty quickly. Moreover, you will need to eat it in the next two or three days, otherwise it will spoil.
Caviar is best served cold
Another tip, as previously mentioned, is that caviar should be served cold. Make sure you don’t freeze it by accident. You should not keep your caviar tins at room temperature, but avoid the freezer too, as it will spoil the taste and texture of the sturgeon roe. Also, do not keep your caviar on ice in the refrigerator. Use crushed ice or ice cubes only for serving. The caviar needs to stay cool throughout the dinner party.
With all this information in store, you are now well prepared to venture into the captivating world of caviar pairings. If you feel overwhelmed, remember that you need to start simple, with the very basics. These are: caviar, a small, yet convincing number of pairing elements, and, at least, one drink to pair. Then you can add pops of color, like microgreens and fruit and decide if you offer more than one drink option to please your guests. Last, but not least, think of the setting and utensils. You are now ready to indulge into a hearty caviar experience!
Want to learn more about caviar? Find out where does caviar come from.
Images: Courtesy of Imperia Caviar