Which Caviar Should a First-Timer Buy?

The most common question we receive from new customers is also the most important one: where do you start? This guide cuts through the complexity and tells you exactly what to buy first, and why. For a full overview of every caviar type and how they compare, see our complete guide to caviar types, taste and price.

The Short Answer

Start with Royal Baerii. It is our most accessible caviar in price, the easiest flavour profile to enjoy immediately, and the best introduction to what genuine sturgeon caviar tastes like. Once you understand Baerii, every other caviar makes more sense by comparison.

What is Baerii Caviar?

Baerii — Siberian sturgeon caviar — produces medium-sized dark grey to black pearls with a clean, briny, slightly buttery flavour that is immediately appealing. It is lightly salted (malossol), which means the natural flavour of the roe comes through clearly. It is the caviar that converts sceptics into believers.

The Caviar Flavour Ladder

Think of the five caviars as a flavour progression:

Royal Baerii — clean, briny, buttery. Direct and satisfying. Perfect entry point. From £29.10 for 30g.

Oscietra — nutty, complex, firm-textured. The connoisseur’s everyday choice. From £36.90 for 30g.

Imperial Caviar (Kaluga Hybrid) — buttery, rich, golden. Unique to The Caviar Bar. From £39.90 for 30g.

Royal Kaluga — large, golden, rich and creamy. River Beluga character at an accessible price. From £45.90 for 30g.

Royal Beluga — the most delicate, subtle and prestigious caviar in the world. From £74.40 for 30g.

How Much Caviar Do You Need?

For a first tasting: 10g is sufficient for one person to form a genuine opinion. For a proper tasting for two: 30g. For a starter course for two: 50g. Our Taster Duo Gift Set (£66) gives you 30g each of Baerii and Oscietra together — the ideal first comparison.

The Essential Equipment

You need one piece of equipment: a Mother of Pearl Caviar Spoon. This is non-negotiable. Metal spoons react chemically with caviar and impart a metallic taste that ruins the experience. Our spoon costs £5 and is included free with all gift sets.

What to Serve with Caviar for the First Time

Keep it simple. Warm blinis with a small amount of crème fraîche is the classic serve. Our Caviar Blinis at £4.95 are made to the right size and thickness for caviar service — add them to your first order.

The Tasting Method

Place a small amount of caviar on the back of your hand between thumb and forefinger. Allow it to warm slightly for ten seconds. Taste. Notice the initial burst, the flavour that follows — the brininess, the butter, the length of the finish.

Shop First-Time Caviar

Royal Baerii from £29.10 →
Oscietra from £36.90 →
Taster Duo Gift Set £66 →