Where to Buy Caviar Online
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We scoured the internet to find the best places to buy caviar—and get it shipped right to your door.
Serious Eats / Julie Bang
While caviar (the salted, cured, unfertilized egg of a sturgeon) isn’t something people buy oodles of (unless perhaps you’re a restaurant serving caviar bumps), maybe you want to amp up the fanciness of a dinner party, and serving caviar (and some good wine) is one way to do it. But where can you get it? Not everyone has a specialty store or fishmonger nearby, after all.
Turns out that, like much stuff these days, you can buy it online. While we already have an article that dives deep into caviar’s nuances, we wanted to round up a few of the top online stores where you can buy an ounce (or two) of the briny stuff after you’ve done your research.
One thing to note: it ain’t cheap, but then again, that’s sort of the point.
A Few Tips for Buying Caviar Online
Look For Sellers That Repack and Age Caviar Themselves
Since caviar is an investment, you probably want to make sure you’re getting a quality product. “The number of caviar brands has proliferated exponentially over the last 10 years because it's as simple as taking a tin and putting a sticker on it,” says Chris Sherman, CEO of Island Creek Oysters in Duxbury, Massachusetts. He explains that at Island Creek Oyster, they actually re-package the caviar they buy (and age it), to ensure the product is up to par.
“So much of the quality has to do with how it's actually repacked from the original tins into the tins that you buy as a consumer,” he says. “That process is really critical and it takes years to perfect.” So, when you’re buying caviar online, if you can find a place that repacks and ages the caviar, that’s a good place to start. While this information isn’t always readily available, most reliable brands (including some in our list below) go this route.
Sturgeon Species (and Where the Caviar Comes From) Affects Price
Serious Eats / J. Kenji Lopez-Alt
Another factor to consider when purchasing caviar is the breed of sturgeon and where it’s from.
Caviar from certain breeds, like osetra and Siberian, can be more expensive because it’s often imported from other countries, which adds to the price. When you’re shopping for caviar online, you’ll also probably notice a lack of one of the most famous breeds: beluga. Beluga sturgeon, which are native to the Caspian Sea, were fished to dangerously low populations (they are still critically endangered), leading the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ban Beluga caviar importation in 2005. The good news is that there’s great caviar being produced sustainably from other breeds of sturgeon (as well as a few select U.S.-based fisheries that raise Beluga and Beluga hybrids), and you can buy it online.
Sherman explains that when it comes to locally produced caviar, white sturgeon, which is native to California, is a great option. “The vast majority of North American production is white sturgeon. It's a really incredible product and because it's grown locally, it doesn't have to be shipped from overseas and imported,” he says. This often makes it less expensive than other (rarer) and imported varieties (since shipping and handling add to the cost). Flavor-wise, Sherman says white sturgeon has the typical briny, ocean taste of caviar, but is followed by a “buttery, creamy note,” and “parmesan cheese” flavor.
Make Sure the Caviar is from Sturgeon
Serious Eats / J. Kenji Lopez-Alt
Another thing to consider when you’re buying caviar is to make sure you are buying sturgeon caviar. Oftentimes other roes are sold under the banner of “caviar,” but only eggs from sturgeons are the real thing. “There's paddlefish roe and some people do market that as caviar even though it's not technically caviar. It's roe because caviar has to come from sturgeon,” says Sherman. While fish roe has its merits and tastes delicious, it’s not caviar.
When Picking a Tin, Consider Serving Size
If it’s just you and your significant other, Sherman suggests going for a 30-gram tin, while a larger group warrants a 100- or 250-gram tin (for people who can’t get enough of the briny stuff). “If you're gonna just have a date night, 30 grams is perfectly sufficient,” he says. “If you're having a larger gathering, I think 100 grams or 250 grams is plenty for a group of six to eight people.” Also, it’s important to note that caviar is best served within a few days of opening the tin. Any longer, and it starts to degrade.
Where to Buy Caviar Online
Island Creek Oysters
Island Creek Oysters Sterling Farms White Sturgeon Caviar
Island Creek Oysters Date Night Flight Package
While their brand has the word oyster in it, this Duxbury, Massachusetts-located monger sells more than just bivalves—they also sell tinned fish, lobster, and, pertinent to this article, caviar. Their caviar collection includes more affordable options, like white sturgeon caviar, which costs between $115 to $190 per 30-gram tin, and pricier picks like osetra which starts at $190 for 30 grams. They also offer so-called caviar flights if you want to do an at-home, side-by-side tasting (fun!), as well as caviar/oyster bundles (you could use the caviar as an ultra-luxe oyster topper).
What You Can Buy: White sturgeon caviar from Italy, Idaho, or California; Siberian caviar from Italy; Osetra caviar from North Carolina; caviar flights; caviar and oyster pairings
Caviar Price Range: $115-$190 for 30 grams, with larger options available
Shipping Info: Island Creek gives you the option to customize your shipping (to a point), which means you can have your caviar delivered close to the date you want to serve it.
Fulton Fish Market
Fulton Fish Market California White Sturgeon Caviar
Fulton Fish Market Imported Caviar Assortment Package
With an expansive range of frutti di mare in general, Fulton’s selection of caviar is similarly varied. They offer white sturgeon caviar, Osetra caviar, and more. You can also purchase a “domestic caviar assortment package” for $320, which includes a sampler of various locally produced varietals (though be warned: a good portion of the fish eggs included are not *technically* caviar, they are roe), as well as blini, creme fraiche, and a mother of pearl spoon for serving.
What You Can Buy: Osetra caviar, White sturgeon caviar, sampler packs, caviar gear (mother-of-pearl spoon and bowl), caviar accompaniments (blini, creme fraiche). They also sell other roes (from paddlefish, salmon, and trout), as well as bottarga, wild shad roe, and uni.
Caviar Price Range: Starting at around $40-$420 for 28 grams, depending on the caviar
Shipping Info: You can choose a shipping date and delivery instructions, as well as allow for substitutions should something be out of stock. They also offer the opportunity to write a gift message.
Regiis Ova Caviar
Regiis Ova Golden Kaluga Hybrid
Regiis Ova Reigning Supreme Caviar Gift Box
This fancy online store was founded by chef Thomas Keller and Shaoching Bishop, the former CEO of Sterling Caviar and Tsar Nicoulai Caviar. In addition to selling their caviar online, they also run the Regiis Ova Caviar and Champagne Lounge in Yountville, California, where you can eat caviar IRL in fancy digs, a glass of champagne in hand.
What You Can Buy: Not only can you buy sturgeon caviar (Osetra, Kaluga, Siberian), Regiis Ova also sells various roes, sampler sets, gift boxes (one goes for $1000—what a gift!), accouterments, and even gift cards.
Caviar Price Range: Starting at $90-$165 for 30-gram tins
Shipping Info: Upon checking out you can choose your delivery date. Note that all orders arrive via FedEx priority overnight, and they deliver Tuesday through Friday. Friday orders will deliver the following Tuesday.
Marky’s
Marky's Beluga (Huso Huso)
Marky's American White Sturgeon
Marky’s is one of the few caviar producers in the U.S. to sell Beluga caviar (their U.S.-based producer was granted an exception by the FDA for local production). As such, you can get a taste of this famous fish’s eggs—but you’ll pay a pretty penny for it, with a 28-gram tin starting at $830. If that’s too mind-boggling a number for you, they also offer other caviar at lower prices, like American white sturgeon caviar at $82 for a 28-gram tin.
What You Can Buy: Marky’s offers Beluga (Huso Huso) and Beluga hybrid caviar, as well as Kaluga, osetra, sevruga, sterlet, Siberian, and white sturgeon caviar—take your pick! In addition to caviar, they also sell a variety of roes, gift sets, and accessories. And not only can you buy caviar—you can go lush and indulge in foie gras and truffles, too.
Caviar Price Range: Starting at $65-$830 for 28-gram tins.
Shipping Info: They offer overnight shipping to ensure the caviar stays fresh.
Caviar Russe
Caviar Russe Classic Osetra
Caviar Russe Essential Collection For 1-2
Despite its name, Caviar Russe doesn’t source its caviar from Russia. Instead, they’re based in New York City and offer a wide variety of caviar styles (including pressed caviar, which is more like a spread), most imported from sustainable fisheries in Germany. They also pack their caviar to order, which is a good sign of quality.
What You Can Buy: Caviar Russe offers a wide array of caviar, including osetra, sevruga, sterlet, Siberian, Pacific, and pressed. They also sell caviar collections, which tailor a tasting set up, and also sell salmon and trout roe. As with many other sellers, you can also furnish accompaniments, like blini and creme fraiche, or go luxe with foie gras and truffles, too.
Caviar Price Range: $95 for 28 grams of pressed caviar; $115 to $595 for 28-gram tins
Shipping Info: You can choose your delivery date, and they offer next-day delivery.
Petrossian
Petrossian Royal Ossetra Caviar
Petrossian Royal Beluga Hybrid Caviar
Founded in 1920, French-brand Petrossian has long been a purveyor of fine food items, including caviar. Each caviar’s description notes the species, origin (many are imported), farming method, and shipping options. They even offer a Beluga-Sevruga hybrid sturgeon caviar, giving you a taste of this famed, briny roe.
What You Can Buy: There are a ton of options to choose from, including Osetra, Kaluga, Beluga hybrid, Sevruga, Alverta, and much more (accompanied by tasting notes, origin and farming information, and some very cute illustrations). Petrossian also sells some “special reserve” options, which are more exclusive for one reason or another. These fetch a far higher price than other caviars; for example, a 125-gram serving (serves two to four people) of “Special Reserve Alverta Caviar” costs a whopping $1,535. In addition to caviar, Petrossian also sells smoked fish, truffles, sweets, and more.
Caviar Price Range: Starting at $77-$554 for 30-gram tins
Shipping Info: Caviar ships FedEx Overnight.
FAQs
What is sustainable caviar?
Sustainable caviar refers to the process by which the sturgeon are raised. According to Chris Sherman, this usually refers to one of two types of production. “One is a closed system, a land-based aquaculture system where they're recirculating much of the water they use many times before it gets discharged,” he says. “And that's really ideal because it creates the least amount of effluent and waste.” The second production method is raising sturgeon in a river or waterway, which requires a little more finesse. “They create containment pens that divert water from the river,” says Sherman. They have to monitor the water going in and out of the pens and ensure that sturgeon don’t escape and breed with the local population; doing a proper job of this counts as sustainable fishery production.
Why is caviar so expensive?
Caviar is pricey because sturgeon are rare, fisheries take a lot of labor to manage, they have to dispatch the fish when they harvest the eggs, and a lot of fisheries are in other countries, meaning a lot of caviar is imported. All of these factors add up to a pricey tin of fish eggs.
What is the difference between caviar and roe?
All caviar is roe, but not all roe is caviar (confusing, right?). Basically, caviar is defined as the cured, unfertilized eggs of the sturgeon, while roe (which is also cured) can be from any fish. You can’t call salmon eggs caviar!
Is caviar actually fish eggs?
Yes, caviar is the unfertilized fish eggs of the sturgeon fish.
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