As with many delicacy, caviar can be coupled with various different garnishes. A garnish is simply a flavor enhancer that is meant to highlight the main dish it enhances. When using a garnish with caviar, remember that the point of the garnish is to bring out the sophisticated flavors of caviar, not to overwhelm the caviar and take away from its natural taste. That being said, the following is a list of garnishes that can be used with caviar, followed by the "Traditional" method of eating caviar.
Garnishes that Can Be Used With Caviar:
- Plain white toast or crackers are always a welcome bed for caviar to be served and enjoyed upon. Non-flavored toast or Water-Crackers work best.
- Russian Style Blinis. These "mini pankcakes" are this dough-filled breads that when heated are often used by Russians (and many other nationalities) to properly enjoy caviar.
- Danish butter - Often overlooked is the quality and flavor of butter used when combining caviar and toast or crackers. Danish butter uses a different salt balance then conventional butter, especially butter found in most major U.S. Grocery stores. You might not think it makes a difference, but next time you find it, try Danish butter - it will make the caviar taste that much better.
- Creme Fraiche is a butter alternative that can be used as it is creamier and lighter than butter with a slightly more sour taste.
- Boiled Egg-whites, chopped or solid can also be combined with caviar as they are mainly a texture garnish as protein packed egg-whites have relatively no taste.
- Chopped red onions can be used along with caviar to highlight salt undertones of the roe. Be sure to use the red onions in moderation however as they can easily overwhelm the caviar.
- Squeezing a few drips of lemon juice over caviar is also common as it provides a tang that balances quite well with the sea-saltiness of caviar, especially the saltier varieties such as Russian Sevruga Caviar.
- Smoked Salmon always compliments well with black caviar - with caviar placed atop the smoked salmon or wrapped within the smoked salmon in a blini style.
- Chives can also be used to garnish caviar. But like red onions, they should be used sparingly as they can easily overwhelm the taste of caviar.
The "Traditional" Method of Eating Caviar:
Simple, none of the above. Traditionalists love caviar for the taste of caviar itself. They view garnishes as defeating the purpose of eating caviar in the first place. Simply take a pearl spoon, place in caviar tin, scoop, apply to hand between thumb and index finger, place in mouth, and repeat.