You've probably never thought about buying caviar online or browsing the options at a gourmet grocery store, but if you use TikTok, you've probably been curious about this luxury treat over the past few months. Lately, TikTok users have become more willing to expand their palates, especially when it comes to caviar—as evidenced by #caviar’s 1.8 billion views on the app.
Apparently, this once inaccessible and even puzzling ingredient has now become a mainstay for many people.
The increased interest in caviar can be attributed in part to TikTok user Danielle Matzon (@dzaslavsky). You might think of her as the reason you have to try Joe & the Juice's tuna sandwich, but Matzon's 534,000 followers are mostly here for her caviar content. Matzon is vice president of brand partnerships for Marky's Caviar, a family-owned company founded in 1983 by her grandfather, Mark Zaslavsky. Since gaining a following in the fall of 2022, she's been sharing how to enjoy the somewhat elusive treat on her TikTok page.
"I was introduced to it at a very young age—we would eat brown bread with butter and caviar on top," she tells Bustle. “The reason I started sharing my love for caviar was to make it more approachable and you could enjoy it any day, not just on special occasions.”
View on TikTok
In her video, Matzon shows how to eat caviar on its own, or in a more unorthodox way—with cream cheese and Doritos, atop a cucumber cut in half, on top of She bites into an heirloom tomato like an apple. These videos continue to receive hundreds of thousands of likes. The hashtag #daniellemademedoit, which has 22.5 million views on TikTok, shows users trying out Matzon's snack ideas. Still, this might make you wonder: Does everyone know how to buy and enjoy caviar but me? Of course not, but if you want a good starting point, consider this your beginner's guide to caviar.
What is the difference between caviar and caviar?
Fish lovers who may not be familiar with caviar may have experienced it before, often used as a sushi topping in its orange and red colors. While both caviar and fish roe are fish eggs, caviar must come from sturgeon, which is then salted and cured. Petra Bergstein, co-founder of The Caviar Co., tells Bustle that the difference can be compared to sparkling wine labels. Just as champagne needs to come from the Champagne region of France, "the same goes for caviar. In order to be considered caviar, it must come from sturgeon, not [a different species]... All fish eggs are fish roes, but not all fish roes" It’s all caviar,” Bergstein said. Traditionally, caviar was harvested from sturgeons in the Caspian and Black Seas, but can now be sourced from more than 50 countries around the world. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora sets global laws, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection sets national laws regulating where and how caviar can be produced.
How does caviar taste?
Since caviar by definition must be cured, every type of caviar is oily and salty, with an almost oceanic taste. There are different factors that affect its taste and mouthfeel. For example, "the warmer the water, the softer the texture," Bergstein says. When trying caviar and distinguishing its flavor, you need to pop the pearl with your tongue against the roof of your mouth so that it reaches all your taste buds.
For example, paddlefish have earthy (especially soil) and mushroomy smells; these flavors come from paddlefish being bottom feeders. Crucian carp, another bottom-dwelling fish, tastes very similar, just with more slate and stone.
While everyone's taste buds respond slightly differently, there are a lot of comparisons you can make when trying out the flavors of caviar. When I tried The Caviar Co.'s white sturgeon, for example, it reminded me of the smell after the rain; at the same time, Bergstein described it as creamy, buttery, and salty. Siberian sturgeon, on the other hand, has a strong umami flavor, somewhat similar to Parmesan cheese. The best way to figure out what you like is to taste a few side-by-side—Bergstein recommends taking a wine-tasting tour with friends (which can be purchased online or experienced at specialty restaurants) and enjoying it as much as you would the wine.
The Ultimate Caviar Aviation Cooler Gift Set The Caviar Co.
How to serve and enjoy caviar
If you've heard of the "caviar bump" (eating caviar from the back of your hand) or seen it on TikTok, you should know that it's not just a popular way to eat caviar. In fact, this is the most traditional way to enjoy fish. "Years ago, caviar (was readily available) was plentiful and very cheap and you could buy it at the fish market... so they would open these cans for you at the fish market and put the caviar on them. Put it on. On the back of your hand, you can taste it, and that's how you figure out what you want," Bergstein said.
Before Matzon took over FYP, caviar was usually served with French crepes and crème fraîche. Today, chips, Doritos, and fresh vegetables are all viable tools for enjoying toppings.
Traditionally, caviar should be served with a mother-of-pearl spoon. Metal utensils will alter the flavor of the caviar because it is so delicate, while wooden utensils, unless specially treated, will absorb the caviar's oils and alter the tasting experience. Of course, there's nothing stopping you from scooping caviar and Doritos straight from the jar—your secrets are safe with me—but be aware that debris dust may affect the flavor of the entire jar. If hosting a crowd, Bergstein recommends keeping open jars of caviar on ice and eating within four days. After the second day, the flavor will be at its peak.
Russ & Daughters Caviar Server GoldBelly
Why is caviar so expensive?
Since there are many different types of caviar for the 27 different types of sturgeon commonly farmed today, "each type of caviar is available in different price ranges and size options, starting at 0.5 ounces, and there are many entry points to choose from." ," Matsson.
While you can buy it from specialty stores like Marky's Caviar or The Caviar Company, chains like Whole Foods and Wegmans also sell some varieties of caviar, with some starting at about $40 for a 1-ounce jar. Prices increase with the size of the can and the rarity of the species from which the sturgeon comes. For example, "Marky's is the only company in the United States that legally grows, harvests, and sells purebred beluga caviar (Huso Huso), making it an extremely rare caviar not only because of its uniqueness, but also because of the labor behind it. It takes 10 to 15 years to harvest it,” explains Matzon – and it costs $850 for 28 grams.
White Sturgeon CaviarThe Caviar Co.
Whether you eat it every day with the back of your hand or serve it with cheese fries at a party with friends, there are plenty of ways to enjoy it without feeling intimidated. Of course, you can always go and book a nice dinner to solve your problem, but it never hurt anyone to show off your caviar knowledge at home. Stay salty, my friends.
source:
Danielle Matzon, Vice President of Brand Partnerships for Marky's Caviar, Manager of HUSO and Marky's Caviar Gourmet Grocery Store.
Petra Bergstein, co-founder of Caviar Company.
