Whether you are new to the world of caviar or consider yourself a connoisseur, buying Russian caviar for the first time can be intimidating. As one of the most sought after delicacies in the world, there are many people who are happy to sell inferior or even fake caviar to those who don’t know the difference. With a few tips and a little knowledge, anyone can buy high quality Russian caviar.

Caviar is the perfect treat to add sophistication to any occasion. It makes a great appetizer for holidays, to serve during parties, and for many other important occasions. Since some occasions might warrant superior caviar than others, it is important to know all that you can about the different Russian caviars before you buy.

Russian caviar comes in three main types: Beluga, Osetra, and Sevruga. Beluga caviar is the most expensive and is prized for its delicate flavor. Though still expensive, the lower priced Osetra has a delectable nutty flavor. Finally, Sevruga caviar is the least expensive of the three, but boasts the strongest flavor. Other less expensive varieties can be found from other parts of the world. These include roe from salmon, lumpfish, and whitefish, though they are considered to be imitations since authentic caviar only come from sturgeon caught in the Caspian Sea.

Selecting good caviar can be difficult if you don’t know what to look for. High grade caviar is the most sought after and contains roe that is large in size and light in color. It should also be packaged with Malossal, an indictor the caviar has been stored with a minimal amount of salt. Before you buy Russian caviar, ask the retailer if you may test a sample of the product. This is the best way to judge the quality before purchasing.

When it comes to caviar, fresh is best. For this reason, caviar should be bought during the sturgeon spawning seasons of spring and fall. As fresh caviar will only last two to four weeks before it spoils there is only a short period to obtain it. After this time, the lesser quality semi-preserved and pressed caviars will be more readily available.