Imperial Caviar
Imperial Caviar is a rare hybrid of Amur sturgeon and Kaluga — two of the world's most prestigious river sturgeon species. The result is a caviar with the large, golden-brown gr...
How much do I need?
- Species
- Acipenser schrenckii × Huso dauricus
- Egg size
- ≥3.1mm
- Colour
- Brown to golden
- Salinity
- Malossol — less than 4% salt
- Shelf life
- 90 days from arrival — unopened, refrigerated.
- Storage
- Refrigerate at −3°C to +2°C. Consume within 24–48 hours of opening.
- Allergens
- Contains fish (sturgeon roe)
Serve with a mother-of-pearl spoon.
Imperial Caviar is unlike anything else in the range — and unlike most caviar available in the UK. The flavour is primarily buttery: a deep, warm richness that coats the palate rather than hitting it sharply. There is nuttiness here too, more toasted and rounded than Oscietra's hazelnut note — closer to brown butter or almond. The grain is large and sits visually between Oscietra and Kaluga, with a golden-brown colour that catches the light. The eggs have a satisfying firmness and a clean, lingering finish with no bitterness. What makes Imperial distinctive is its texture as much as its taste — there is a luxurious, almost creamy quality that places it closer to the Huso family than its Acipenser parentage might suggest. A caviar that surprises, and then becomes a favourite.
Imperial Caviar is a rare hybrid of Amur sturgeon and Kaluga — two of the world's most prestigious river sturgeon species. The result is a caviar with the large, golden-brown grain of Kaluga and the firm texture of Amur, offering a uniquely buttery, nutty flavour with remarkable depth. This is a caviar with no direct equivalent from any other UK supplier — exclusively available through The Caviar Bar.
Species: Acipenser schrenckii × Huso dauricus (Kaluga Hybrid) · Egg size: ≥3.1mm · Colour: Brown, dark brown, light brown, yellow
Nutritional Information (per 100g)
| Energy | Fat | Sat Fat | Carbs | Sugar | Protein | Salt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 270 kcal | 14g | 2.2g | 6.9g | 0g | 27.5g | 2.9g |
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerate immediately on receipt
- Store in the coldest part of your fridge — the bottom shelf, towards the back
- Minimum 90 days unopened from dispatch
- Once opened: consume within 24–48 hours
- Do not freeze
- Serve in the tin using a mother-of-pearl or horn spoon — never metal
Allergen Information
Contains: Fish (sturgeon roe)
Ingredients: Sturgeon Roe, Salt, E285 (Borax/Sodium Borate)
Borax (E285) is a naturally occurring mineral salt used in traditional caviar production worldwide, acting as a mild preservative and enhancing flavour. Approved under UK and EU food safety regulations.
All products supplied under UK CITES supervision — SALSA Code 10238. Full batch traceability and CITES documentation available on request. Due to the perishable nature of this product we are unable to offer returns or refunds. If your product arrives damaged, contact info@caviarbaruk.com within 24 hours with photographic evidence.
Free same-day London delivery on orders over £120 — order by 4pm for same-day dispatch Monday–Friday.
Compare varieties
Frequently asked questions
- What is Imperial Caviar?
- Imperial Caviar is a Kaluga Hybrid — a crossbreed of Amur sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii) and Kaluga sturgeon (Huso dauricus). The result is a caviar with distinctively golden roe, a rich buttery character, and a flavour profile that has no direct equivalent from any other UK supplier. It is exclusive to The Caviar Bar in the UK as a named standalone product.
- What is a Kaluga Hybrid caviar?
- A Kaluga Hybrid is produced by crossing Amur sturgeon and Kaluga — two of the world's most prestigious river sturgeon species. The hybrid grows faster than pure Kaluga, making it more widely available, while retaining the rich, buttery character of its Kaluga parent. The result is a golden-coloured caviar with a distinctive flavour that sits between Oscietra and pure Kaluga.
- What does Imperial Caviar taste like?
- Rich, buttery and distinctively golden. Imperial Caviar has a rounder, creamier character than Oscietra with more depth than Baerii. The golden-brown pearls have a clean, satisfying pop and a warm, lingering finish. The flavour is uniquely its own — not quite like any other single-variety caviar in our range.
- How does Imperial Caviar compare to Oscietra?
- Oscietra is nuttier and more complex; Imperial is richer and more buttery. Oscietra has a firmer grain; Imperial is slightly more yielding. Both are premium sturgeon caviars at a similar price point. Our Premium Duo Gift Set pairs them directly for a side-by-side comparison.
- Why is Imperial Caviar exclusive to The Caviar Bar?
- We source our Imperial Caviar directly from a specific accredited farm that produces this Kaluga Hybrid variety to a standard we cannot find elsewhere in the UK market. Most UK suppliers do not stock it as a named standalone product. We do because we believe it is genuinely exceptional and deserves its own identity.
- How much Imperial Caviar per person?
- For a tasting, 10 to 15g. For a starter for two, 30g. For a generous serving, 50g per person. The serving guide on this page shows what each size covers.
- Is Imperial Caviar good for beginners?
- Imperial Caviar is an excellent choice for someone who has tried Baerii or Oscietra and wants something different. Its rich, buttery golden character is distinctive and immediately appealing. It is also a great conversation piece — most guests will not have encountered it before.
- Can I buy Imperial Caviar online in the UK?
- Yes — and The Caviar Bar is one of the only places in the UK where you can buy it as a named standalone product. Available from 30g to 1kg, freshly packed to order. Free same-day London delivery on orders over £120.