Caviar, the delicacy of fish roe or fish eggs. Yep, caviar is known far and wide as a strange culinary treat that costs a bit too much for the average seafood lover. Well not necessarily, there are some very affordable caviar options.
We’ll be going over some interesting things about caviar in this article from if caviar is kosher to storing options for caviar.
What Is Caviar?
The caviar comes from fish roe, otherwise known as fish eggs. These eggs are collected from the sturgeon family as they are believed to offer the best roe culinarily speaking. Sturgeon are the specific fish required to get eggs from for it to be considered caviar. Eggs from other fish such as trout and salmon can also be eaten but aren’t considered caviar.
Not all caviar is created equal. There are three main types of caviar called beluga, ossetra, and sevruga.
- Beluga – This is the rarest form of caviar and is distinguishable by its large pea-sized pearls that are creamy and nutty in flavor.
- Ossetra – An incredibly popular form of caviar and beloved for its rich, nutty, and briny flavor.
- Sevruga – The more common version of caviar, it’s said to be very rich in buttery flavor.
What Makes Something Kosher?
The rules of kosher food are extensive and somewhat complex. In fact, the scope of what defines something as kosher is well beyond that of this article. If you’re curious to know more about the rules of kosher foods, then read this as a quick primer.
Because we’re focusing on if caviar is kosher or not, we’ll focus on the rule related to fish eggs which state: “The eggs (or other by-products) of non-kosher birds or fish are not kosher. Caviar, therefore, must come from a kosher fish and this requires reliable supervision. Commercial liquid eggs also require supervision. Eggs of kosher fowl that contain blood spots must be discarded, and therefore eggs should be checked before use.”
Is Caviar Kosher?
Considering what we’ve learned about what makes something kosher regarding fish eggs, is caviar kosher? Well, it depends on what fish the eggs came from. If the fish contains both fins and scales (of a certain type), then it can be considered kosher. For example, the true black caviar comes from the primeval sturgeon family which has scales but is not the correct kind to be considered kosher. Sturgeon are covered in ganoin and can’t be removed without tearing the skin. Because the scales can’t be removed without tearing skin, they are not kosher.
That being said, you can still eat fish roe from fish that are considered kosher.
Is Salmon Roe Kosher?
So some caviar isn’t kosher since the fish they come from aren’t kosher. But what about other fish such as salmon and are salmon roe kosher?
If it’s something you’re looking to try then salmon roe is considered kosher!
Is Caviar Good For You?
Many people talk about caviar because of its relation to fine and luxurious dining. But, maybe they should be mentioning its health benefits and what caviar can offer your body.
For example, caviar is rich in vitamin B12, which is crucial to many of the body’s functions. Additionally, caviar is high in omega-3 fatty acids. While being important to pregnancy and infant development, omega-3 fatty acids are also helpful in improving memory and mood.
Overall, there are a plethora of vitamins and minerals in caviar that help support healthy skin and boost immunity.
How Long Does Caviar Last?
Unsurprisingly, caviar (or fish eggs) don’t last very long once exposed to air. A can of caviar may last up to a month but once it’s opened it will only last a maximum of three days. There are ways to store and extend the life of caviar, but I wouldn’t try and stretch it too far due to health risks.
Does Caviar Need To Be Refrigerated?
Caviar is very perishable and needs lower temperatures with minimal air exposure to extend its shelf life.
So you should refrigerate caviar to ensure it stays good for longer. If caviar is unopened and refrigerated, then it stands a better chance of lasting up to 4 to 6 weeks before expiration.
Can Caviar Be Frozen?
While we know caviar should be refrigerated to keep it good longer. But, is it safe to freeze caviar?
You can freeze caviar but I’d advise against it as it’ll compromise the texture of the caviar. When caviar freezes and thaws, a lot of the water content expands as it freezes in the caviar. As the caviar thaws, it shrinks and loses a lot of the natural texture that contributes to it being so enjoyable. I recommend never freezing caviar and keeping it no cooler than your fridge.
