The Red Caviar Showdown: My Top Pick for the Best Taste and Value

I've been hearing whispers about the red caviar shortage since summer. Apparently, the catch is low, and prices are going to skyrocket.

And I started thinking about it way ahead of time.

For example, in October, I went to the "Red Caviar" store, took some photos of the prices, and saved them in my phone to keep an eye on the dynamics. I chose that store for a reason – they always have the same selection, and it's easier to track price fluctuations and compare with other stores.

It's like having a cheat sheet in my phone, just in case.

Later, I started researching other stores' offers.

And then, in early December, I took a look at the prices in the "Perekrestok" store and was shocked:

Tungutun Caviar, which gave me a nasty stomachache (Roskachestvo found E. coli in it regularly), cost 159 rubles in 2021, but in 2024, it's selling for 899 rubles for the same amount.

But that's okay, I did some quick math and found out that 280 grams of this caviar would cost 2649 rubles, while a 280-gram jar from the "Red Caviar" store costs 2800 rubles.

If I used to choose those small jars because the price difference per gram was significant, now it's just not worth it – the risk of a stomachache on New Year's Eve isn't worth it. And the other options are just crazy expensive.

So, this year, we'll be having caviar from the "Red Caviar" store only on our New Year's table.

None of the other options stood a chance. And, for the first time in years, I didn't even get a hint of stomach problems after eating it. Now, the price is almost on par with the others.

A quick look at the current prices:

Okay, I'll give credit where credit is due – in 2023, Roskachestvo found some questionable stuff in this brand's ikra, but that's not what this review is about. It's about my personal experience, and I've tried all their red ikra varieties this year, with zero issues.

Over the past few months, I've put their ikra to the test, and I can confidently say it's the best I've ever had. The thing is, they've toned down the saltiness, which is a good thing for us consumers – no more rushing to grab a glass of water with our sandwiches!

However, Roskachestvo isn't too happy about it, as it's not up to their standards. But, according to the experts, the preservatives in the ikra are doing their job just fine, so the extra salt isn't needed. Still, rules are rules, right?

Before I dive into the review of each ikra variety, I want to talk about the store. In my case, it's a small shop in a mall. The staff is always friendly, chatty, and willing to answer any questions you might have. They'll even hang around for 10 minutes to chat with you!

That being said, when I bought a large batch of ikra in cans, they tried to sneak in a dented can. I was in a rush, and I didn't notice it until later. That's a major minus in my book – I won't be shopping there with the same level of trust anymore.

Even compared to last year, I've noticed a significant improvement in the ikra's quality. The labels now include an extra preservative, which seems to be doing the trick – the ikra in larger cans is staying fresh for longer. In the past, we'd often end up tossing the leftovers after a few days, but now we can enjoy them until the very last bite.

One more thing about the ikra from this store:

The only red ikra variety that the staff warned me against buying is the 'five-minute' salmon ikra. Apparently, it's super prone to spoilage, and you should only get it if you're planning to devour it immediately. It's perfect for special occasions or parties, but for everyday consumption, it's best to stick with the other varieties.

As for the general rules for storing the ikra, the staff kindly explained that it's best to keep it in the coldest part of the fridge, away from the door. The ideal spot is in the back, where the can won't even touch the wall. They also mentioned that the 2-week shelf life is only valid if you store it in the fridge under those conditions – both plastic and metal cans are the same. The longer shelf life listed on the labels is more about the store's conditions, with perfect temperature control.

And now, the moment of truth – my review of the four ikra varieties: keta, kizhuch, salmon, and nerka.

I'm so confident in the quality of this caviar that I bought the assortment for my parents for New Year's. They don't have this store, and every year they have trouble finding a decent option.

By the way, the exterior of all the tin cans is the same, and you can only find out which type of caviar it is by looking at the bottom of the can:

I saw the preliminary information about the taste and benefits of each type of fish caviar once and couldn't help but take a photo because, in my opinion, this is where the information is most comprehensive and accurate, even if you haven't tried it, you can get an idea of what might suit you:

(You can zoom in on the photo by clicking on it)

Let's check if the description matches reality.

I'll start from the bottom.

4TH PLACE

I was really disappointed with the caviar of the keta:

It's just too greasy, it's almost like it's blended with butter on a sandwich. The skin isn't elastic, and you can't even get a burst of the salty filling. I didn't get that thrill when the salty contents explode in your mouth. I wouldn't say it's like a caviar mess, but out of all the options in this store, the keta caviar is the closest to that description. But check out how much good stuff is in it!

The keta caviar loses out in terms of nutritional value only to the caviar of the sturgeon, for example, it has less omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D than the nerka and humpback caviar.

3RD PLACE

Caviar of the sturgeon

It's all about the taste here. It's just too unique and has a much stronger bitterness than the other types of caviar. That's the only reason we don't buy sturgeon caviar exclusively. In all other respects, it's a leader. So if flavor isn't a priority, but health is, then this is the best option.

2ND PLACE

Caviar of the humpback

I've gotta say, the flavor of this one is just spot on - everyone in my family loves it. The texture is perfect: the roe is nice and firm, but breaks apart easily, just the right amount of salty, with a hint of sweetness, and it's super smooth and pleasant! All in all, I'd say it's almost perfect, but this year it's only coming in second because...

1 ST PLACE

NERKA CAVIAR

I'm actually shocked - I've never been a huge fan of nerka caviar, but this year, and this store, it's a whole different story. We all agreed, this is the one we'll be sticking with, the others can wait.

The roe is tiny, but it's incredibly firm, so when you bite into it, it's like a bunch of little bubbles popping in your mouth. That's what I love about caviar, and this one does it better than any other. The flavor is a bit unconventional, it's like the sweetness of the sturgeon, but with a subtle nutty undertone. At first, it's a bit jarring, but then it really grows on you, and you start to miss that depth in the sturgeon.

And that's my top pick!

Here's a final comparison shot of each type of caviar, so you can see the difference in appearance, size, and color:

So, why did we choose "Krasnaya Iкра" this year? Well, no need to guess or try to figure out how to check if it's the real deal - this is 100% authentic caviar, no imitation, no structuring, and not even frozen.

We've never had any issues with our digestive system after eating caviar from this store, so I'm confident that our holiday feast will be a success.

I'm happy to report that the amount of juice (or rather, the useless liquid) in these containers is always minimal. From what I've observed, there's a tiny bit more in the tin cans, and the caviar seems to be pressed in a bit more than in the plastic containers.

Another issue with the tin cans is that once you open them, the lid doesn't provide a reliable seal anymore. But I've since picked up this amazing little caviar keeper from Fix Price, and it's been a game-changer – I've tested it multiple times, and the caviar stays fresh:

You can see the prices for each type of caviar in the receipt:

If you were to try all four varieties in the smallest quantity (140g tin cans), it'd set you back 5824 rubles.

And that's a wrap for me! I hope you have a wonderful New Year's celebration, and may the right choice of caviar not be a source of stress for you!

Thanks for reading!