The Tasting Notes: Royal Imperial Caviar takes its name from a centuries-old grading term for the finest sturgeon roe. Briny, buttery and golden-hued, it delivers Caspian-style quality at a price that makes sense for a Tuesday, not just an anniversary.
Caviar has its own hierarchy, and "Imperial" sits right at the top of it.
At London Caviar Company, Royal Imperial Caviar is our take on that traditional grade. It’s briny and buttery with the golden pearls the term has always been linked to, at a price built for regular indulgence rather than one big occasion a year.
Here's what the Imperial grade actually means, what makes our version distinct, and how to get the most out of a tin.
What does "Imperial" actually mean in caviar?
Rather than a species of sturgeon, Imperial is a grading term used across the caviar trade for a select tier of roe. They’re typically the largest, most consistent pearls with the lightest, most golden colouring, historically reserved for royal tables in Russia and Persia.
There's no single regulator that defines the term, so it varies a little between producers. What stays consistent is the idea behind it: Imperial marks out roe that's a clear step above the everyday, without necessarily being the rarest or most expensive variety on the market.
You'll often see "Royal" used alongside or instead of "Imperial" in the same context. The two terms overlap rather than meaning something entirely different, both typically point to a top tier of large, consistent pearls, and different producers apply them slightly differently. London Caviar's Royal Imperial deliberately carries both, as a marker of where it sits in the range.
What makes London Caviar's Royal Imperial distinct?
Royal Imperial Caviar is drawn from select, mature sturgeon rather than one single species, farmed using the same sustainable practices behind the rest of our range. The pearls are medium-sized with a distinctive golden hue, and the flavour opens briny before settling into a creamy, buttery finish that closely mirrors premium Caspian caviar, without the price that usually comes with it.
It sits firmer on the palate than Beluga and creamier than Baerii, which is part of why it works across such a wide range of dishes.
Why do chefs use it?
Royal Imperial has found a following among chefs and upscale restaurants for a simple reason. It's genuinely versatile.
It works as comfortably alongside lobster bisque or scallop carpaccio as it does on scrambled eggs or a sushi plate, and its golden colour gives a dish visual presence without needing a large quantity to do it. It's also balanced enough to sit well with a wide range of other ingredients rather than dominating the plate. Neither too strong nor too mild.
What should I pair it with?
Dry champagne or a brut rosé brings out its creamy character, and a chilled, clean vodka works as a contrast to the richness. On the food side, it pairs naturally with crème fraîche, soft-boiled eggs or hollandaise, and holds its own against something more substantial like toasted brioche, a potato rösti or fresh pasta.
How should I serve it?
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Keep it refrigerated at 0 to 4°C and serve chilled, never frozen
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Use a mother of pearl, bone or glass spoon rather than metal, which reacts with the roe and leaves a faint metallic taste
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Present it on ice with minimal garnish so the caviar stays the focus
Find out more in How to Serve Caviar: Etiquette, Portions & Traditions
How much does it cost, and who is it for?
Prices start from around £45 for a 30g tin, which is part of why Royal Imperial works as well for a weeknight as it does for a special occasion.
It's a genuinely good entry point for anyone newer to caviar, since the flavour is approachable without being one-note. Experienced enthusiasts tend to come back to it for the balance it strikes, rather than moving past it once they've tried the more expensive varieties. If you're still deciding where to start, our beginner's guide to buying caviar covers how Royal Imperial compares to the rest of the range.
Add Royal Imperial to your table
Royal Imperial earns its place in the range by doing something genuinely useful: Caspian-style flavour and presentation, without the price tag that usually comes with it.
You can buy caviar online directly if you already know Royal Imperial is the one for you, or compare it against the full caviar varieties range first if you'd like to see how it stacks up against Baerii, Oscietra and Beluga.
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.
Not sure if Royal Imperial is the right starting point for you? Get in touch and the team will help you choose.