Serving Caviar - Beluga, Osetra & Sevruga
The dining experience when eating gourmet caviar is of the utmost importance. For this reason caviar should be served with mother of pearl utensils. There are differing arguments about whether using utensils made of other materials will spoil the divine taste of caviar, however I personally use and recommend traditional mother of pearl serving sets or a crystal caviar server simply in the name of elegance.
Fresh caviar should be refrigerated at 26 to 32 degrees F in its original unopened tin. It will last approximately 2 months in the refrigerator unopened. Never freeze it as the roe may burst in the freezer. Once opened, left over caviar will last up to 1 week in the refrigerator when tightly sealed in plastic wrap and rotated daily to make sure the oil is properly distributed. I suggest eating it right away however, as it is highly perishable and the taste will degrade with every day it's refrigerated after being opened.
When serving caviar remove it from the refrigerator 15 minutes before eating and let it sit unopened. The best way to serve it is in its original tin over a bed of ice in a caviar server. If you don't happen to have a serving set with a custom caviar serving bowl, glass is the best alternative.
Each person should be presented with a chilled plate and a 2 ounce portion of caviar. Be extremely careful not to burst any of the roe while spooning the caviar out of the tin as it will ruin the presentation and make it oily. Serving caviar with buttered homemade toast or blinis and crème fraiche is traditional, and many connoisseurs expect it.
Matching spirits with caviar is a matter of personal preference. Some people like to match it with fine wines and champagnes. Others say to appreciate the full flavor of expensive caviar like Beluga and Osetra it is best served with premium, ice-cold vodka shots. Just be sure not to drink anything that may cover up the taste of the roe.
To get the most out of your caviar dining experience you should burst the eggs in your mouth using your tongue. Many people swallow the eggs whole and miss out on the delightful flavor.
Beyond this traditional method of serving caviar there are also several recipes that call for caviar, such as seafood stuffing, salad, pie and spread. However, I do not recommend using the best caviar like Osetra, Sevruga & Beluga in recipes, it is a delight all by itself.
|
