Skip to ContentSkip to Footer

Wicker baskets filled with buttery biscuits, winter teas and more. – Shop Christmas Hampers


Wicker baskets filled with buttery biscuits, winter teas and more. – Shop Christmas Hampers


Sign in / Register
  • Store Information
  • Restaurants
  • Services
  • Departments
  • Beauty & Wellness
  • News & Events
  • Plan Your Visit
  • Store Guide
  • News & Events
  • Personal Shopping
  • 175 Years of Exceptional
  • Contact Us
  • Other Locations
  • Store Information
  • Restaurants
  • Services
  • Departments
  • Beauty & Wellness
  • News & Events
  • Store Information
  • Restaurants
  • Services
  • Departments
  • Beauty & Wellness
  • News & Events

Everything You Need to Know About Caviar

LONG READ
Words by BRIDIE NEWMAN

You needn’t be a connoisseur to enjoy caviar. Though the gourmet food is undeniably decadent and rare by nature, it’s simply a type of salted fish roe from the sturgeon of the Acipenseridae family. And while purists prefer to savour said roe au naturel, there are countless ways to serve Harrods caviar, from spooned onto scrambled egg and fish dishes, to as an accoutrement for white chocolate (trust us).

Depending on the species of sturgeon, region of harvest and treatment of the eggs, caviar offers a wonderful spectrum of flavours, from briny and slightly sweet, to nutty and creamy.  What unifies premium caviar is the famous mouthfeel; rolled on the roof of the mouth, the shimmering spheres should ‘pop’, releasing the saline juices within.

Read on for our expert guide, created in consultation with the Harrods caviar buyers, on the types of caviar to try at Harrods; how to store, serve and eat it; and what to pair it with.  

Types of Caviar

Beluga Caviar

Famed as ‘the king of caviars’, our Beluga is the ultimate indulgence. It’s harvested from the Husu huso sturgeon, which, farmed in China, takes 12 years to come to maturity, resulting in a rich, buttery flavour with creamy notes of walnuts and hints of sea salt.

Shop Now

Imperial Caviar

From a hybrid species of the Acipenser schrenckii and Huso dauricus sturgeons, our Imperial caviar from China is characterised by its distinct almond cream flavour with undertones of black trumpet mushroom. The eggs come from fish aged between eight and 10 years old, with a hue that ranges from golden to walnut brown and olive green.  

Shop Now
Imperial Caviar

Oscietra Caviar

Farmed in Belgium, our Oscietra variety comes from the nine to 10-year-old Acipenser gueldenstaedtii species. It has a unique earthy flavour that ranges from briny and mineral to buttery and sweet, with a salty aftertaste.  

Shop Now
Oscietra Caviar

Golden Oscietra Caviar

A rare form of Oscietra, the Golden Oscietra is favoured by connoisseurs for its rich mineral flavour and creamy yeast-like finish. Matured to between nine and 10 years, the Acipenser guldenstaedtii species from China produces eggs that are – as the name suggests – golden in colour. 

Shop Now
Golden Oscietra Caviar
Shop All Caviar

How to Store, Serve and Eat Caviar

It’s important to store caviar in the coldest part of the fridge (usually at the bottom or the back, where it won’t be subject to temperature changes) to maintain freshness. Serve the tin on ice when you eat it, and use a mother-of-pearl spoon – metal spoons can damage the texture of the caviar and impart a metallic taste.

How best to enjoy caviar is open for debate. Many say it should be paired with neutral accoutrements like blinis or eaten straight from your hand to let the flavours sing (see the ‘bump’ craze of 2023). Others will use it in the kitchen as a sophisticated means of balancing dishes, for instance with the rich saltiness of smoked salmon or the buttery, creaminess of potato dishes.  

What to Drink with Caviar

The most fitting drinks pairing for caviar is Champagne, as its acidity and gentle fizz complements the saltiness of the roe. We’d recommend our Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Champagne – both Vintage and Non-Vintage – for a crisp, clean taste. Similarly, dry white wines like Sauvignon Blanc will pair beautifully with more delicate varieties and the minerality of Chardonnay will complement caviar's briny notes.

If you prefer spirits, chilled vodka is a popular choice for its neutral, palate-cleansing freshness. For a more decadent experience, opt for a Cognac like Louis XIII to enhance the eggs' creaminess.

Where to Find Caviar in Harrods

  • Fresh Market Hall

    Fresh Market Hall

    The Harrods Food Halls are home to the world’s rarest delicacies, and caviar is no exception. You’ll find our full range next to the sparkling seafood counter in the Fresh Market Hall on the Ground Floor.

    Plan Your Visit
  • Restaurants

    Restaurants

    Glistening on oysters or served with chips (we’re looking at you Kerridge’s Fish & Chips), you’ll find caviar on the menu at many of our restaurants. Enjoy it on blinis at the Moët & Chandon Champagne Bar, find it atop chef Masa’s signature Toro Tartare at Sushi by MASA or experience it on jackfruit waffles with crème fraiche at Studio Frantzén.  

    Discover & Book

The Beauty Benefits of Caviar

Caviar extract might seem an unlikely skincare hero, but rich in vitamins, proteins and fatty acids, it has highly effective moisturising properties, making it an ideal ingredient for mature skin. Designed to lift, firm and restore the skin’s elasticity and tone, La Prairie's collection of products promotes a youthful-looking complexion. 

Harrods Stories

Harrods Stories

Bringing you a weekly dose of everything from expert styling tips to dinner party solutions – at Harrods, it’s all about living your best life.

Read & Shop
Entertain at Home

Entertain at Home

Prepare for a sunny season of garden parties, alfresco lunches and poolside drinks with our curation of expert guides and gourmet recipes.

Discover the Home Entertaining Boutique