The Tasting Notes: Caviar carries more myths than most luxury foods, from what actually counts as caviar to how it's supposed to taste. Here are the facts, and the misconceptions worth leaving behind before your next tin.
Caviar has picked up as many myths as facts over the years.
At London Caviar Company, we spend a fair amount of time helping people separate the two, so here's a proper look at what's actually true, and what's just been repeated often enough to sound like it.
Fact: caviar is more than just fish eggs
All caviar is fish eggs, but not all fish eggs are caviar. Strictly speaking, the term is reserved for roe from sturgeon, which is why other kinds of fish roe are usually labelled as exactly that, roe, rather than caviar. Our own range all comes from genuine sturgeon species.
Myth: all caviar tastes the same
This one falls apart the moment you try different varieties side by side:
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Baerii is mild and buttery
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Beluga is rich and complex
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Oscietra brings a nutty depth
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Royal Imperial sits somewhere between briny and creamy
The flavour differences come down to the sturgeon species itself, not just how the roe happens to be processed.
Myth: real caviar has to be wild-caught
It's a common assumption, but farming is how the finest caviar is produced today, not a lesser substitute for it. Controlled farming lets producers manage water quality, feed and welfare in ways that simply aren't possible with wild harvesting, and it means quality stays consistent tin after tin rather than varying with a single catch.
Fact: sustainability is genuinely part of the process
Sustainable sourcing isn't just a line on the packaging here. London Caviar holds Friend of the Sea certification (FOS-148/21), which means the farms behind our caviar are independently assessed against conservation and welfare standards rather than simply self-declared.
Myth: caviar is only for the elite
Historically, that was largely true. Today, it isn't. Prices across our range start from around £38, and varieties like Baerii exist specifically to make genuine caviar accessible without asking anyone to compromise on quality.
Myth: bigger pearls always mean better caviar
Pearl size is about which sturgeon the roe comes from, not a ranking of quality. Beluga happens to have the largest pearls in our range, but that doesn't make Baerii's smaller, more delicate pearls a lesser product. It's simply a different experience.
Myth: all caviar is black
Colour varies a lot between varieties, and none of it signals quality on its own:
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Baerii runs dark grey to slate
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Oscietra sits in amber to deep brown
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Royal Imperial has a distinctive golden hue
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Beluga is silvery grey, despite being the most prestigious variety in the range
Colour tells you about the species rather than how good the caviar actually is.
Fact: caviar needs proper handling
Caviar is delicate, and how it's stored affects both flavour and texture. Keep it in the coldest part of the fridge, serve it chilled over crushed ice, and always use a mother of pearl, bone or glass spoon rather than metal. That’s because metal reacts with the roe and leaves a faint metallic taste. Once opened, it's at its best within 48 hours.
Myth: caviar can only be served one way
Blinis and crème fraîche are the classic pairing, but they're not the only option. Caviar works well on scrambled eggs, avocado toast, seared scallops or a simple pasta dish, and a small amount goes a long way in each. The point is contrast and balance, not sticking to one traditional serve.
See past the myths for yourself
Caviar carries a lot of assumptions that don't hold up once you actually look at them. Knowing the difference between what's true and what's just tradition makes it easier to enjoy properly.
If you're ready to try it for yourself, you can buy caviar online directly, or browse different caviar varieties first to see how each one compares.
London Caviar Company is based in London and has been making sustainably sourced caviar properly accessible since 2021. Every tin carries Friend of the Sea certification, and the brand holds a 4-star Trustpilot rating across 195+ reviews.
Got a question we haven't covered here? Get in touch and the team will be happy to help.