- January 23, 2023
- 30 Minute Meals
How To Build A Caviar Board
Create a homemade custom caviar board filled with a variety of caviar and roe with the perfect paired toppings for sharing with family and friends.
Caviar lovers, this one is for you!
If you haven’t tried this delicacy but you find yourself curious, then you’re in the right place. I was gifted some incredible caviar and roe from my friends at E-fish and I wanted to build the most epic caviar charcuterie board to share here so you can easily recreate it at home.
This is a fun and festive board to share at parties, brunches, special occasions, and more!
What Is Caviar?
Caviar is a delicacy consisting of salt-cured fish eggs, traditionally from the wild sturgeon in the Caspian and Black Sea.
The eggs are typically gray, black, or brown and are served as a garnish or a spread. Caviar is often considered a luxury food and is often served at upscale events and restaurants (because it can range anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars for only an ounce).
To make this board more affordable for a special occasion at home, I used a variety of both caviar and roe (roe is fish eggs not from sturgeon). It adds more contrast in flavors and gives you more variety for sharing with guests.
What Determines The Cost Of Caviar?
There are several factors that can determine the cost of caviar:
- Type of sturgeon: Caviar from different species of sturgeon can vary in price. For example, Beluga caviar, which comes from the Beluga sturgeon, is considered to be the most expensive and sought-after type of caviar.
- Quality: The quality of the caviar is also a factor in determining the cost. The eggs should be firm, glossy, and have good color.
- Rarity: The availability of caviar can also affect its price. If a particular type of caviar is in short supply, the price may be higher.
- Harvesting method: Caviar from wild sturgeon is generally more expensive than that from farmed sturgeon, as wild sturgeon populations have been depleted and the method of the catch is more sustainable.
- Brand: Some brands have reputation for high quality caviar, which can affect the price.
- Location: The location where the caviar is imported or produced can also affect the price, as transportation and import costs can add to the final price.
Where Do I Buy Caviar?
Caviar can be purchased from a variety of places, including:
- Specialty food stores: Many gourmet and specialty food stores carry caviar, and some may have a wide selection of different types and brands to choose from.
- Online retailers: You can also buy caviar online from retailers that specialize in gourmet foods. This can be a convenient option if you’re unable to find a local store that carries caviar. You can get $25 off your first purchase of caviar using the code BONAPPETEACH with my friends at E-Fish.
- High-end supermarkets: Some high-end supermarkets may carry caviar in their deli sections.
- Fish markets: Some fish markets sell caviar, either fresh or canned.
- Directly from the producer: Many caviar producers sell their products directly to consumers, either through their websites or at farmers’ markets.
It’s important to purchase caviar from a reputable source to ensure that you are getting a high-quality product. It’s also important to check the expiration date, packaging, and storage information to ensure the best taste and quality.
What To Pair With Caviar?
I like to divide the pairings into two categories, a base (or vehicle to eat the caviar on) and the toppings to go with it.
Base Ideas:
- Crackers
- Potato Chips (my favorite)
- Crostini (I love these homemade everything bagel chips)
- Halved Hard Boiled Eggs
- Blini (mini savory pancakes)
- Latkes (potato pancakes)
Toppings:
- Sour Cream or Creme Fraiche
- Red Onions
- Chives
- Diced Egg Whites (from hard boiled eggs)
- Capers
- Olives or Pickled Veggies
Expert Tips For Serving Caviar:
Here are some expert tips for serving caviar:
- Store caviar in the coldest part of the refrigerator, ideally between 26-34F.
- Serve caviar at room temperature, so take it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before serving.
- Use non-metallic utensils, such as mother-of-pearl or plastic spoons, to serve caviar as metal utensils can affect the taste.
- Use small, chilled plates or bowls to serve caviar, as this will help keep the caviar chilled.
- Serve caviar in small portions, as a little goes a long way.
- Caviar is best paired with chilled Champagne, vodka, or white wine.
- If you’re using canned caviar, be sure to transfer it to a non-metallic container and keep it refrigerated until ready to use. I like small glass jars for this.
- Last but not least, always check the expiration date, packaging, and storage information before serving caviar to ensure the best taste and quality. Shelf life varies (typically 2-3 days) on the type after opening, so be mindful!
More Recipes To Try:
How To Build A Caviar Board
Equipment
Ingredients
Caviar / Roe
- 1 oz. White Sturgeon Caviar
- 1 oz. Smoked Salmon Roe
- 1 oz. Golden Artic Char Roe
Base Pairings
- 12 Blinis premade
- 8 Potato Latkes premade
- 1 bag Potato Chips
- 1 batch Everything Bagel Chips
- 3 Hard Boiled Eggs halved
Toppings
- 1/2 cup Creme Fraiche or sour cream
- 1/4 cup Fresh Chives minced
- 1/4 cup Red Onion or Shallot minced
- 1/4 cup Green Olives
- 6 mini Cucumbers halved
- Lemon Slices and Dill for Garnish
Instructions
- Remove the caviar and roe from any metal tins and place into small glass cups or jars. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Place on a large clean board. Use non-metalic spoons for serving.
- Add the toppings into smaller jars or bowls and place on the board near the caviar.
- Surround the caviar and toppings with the base ingredients, Layer the chips, eggs, crackers, and everything bagel chips throughout the board to fill any gaps.
- Garnish with lemon slices and fresh dill if desired.