How much caviar per person

Short answer: more than you'd think. Here's the math.

The single most common mistake first-time caviar buyers make is under-buying. They see the price per tin and order the smallest size, expecting a small tin of an expensive food to go a long way. It doesn't. Caviar is meant to be tasted in real portions — 10 to 15 grams per bite — and those portions add up quickly.

Undershoot and the experience disappoints. Overshoot rarely happens — unopened tins keep 4 weeks refrigerated.

The baseline

Portions assume caviar is the focus, not one of multiple courses. For a long tasting menu where caviar is one element, reduce by 25–30%.

Why people undershoot

A 30g tin feels generous because it's expensive. In grams, 30g is enough for two people to taste properly, or one person to enjoy across three bites. It's not enough for hosting three or four guests — that's where most first-time orders go wrong.

The visual also deceives. 30g of caviar fills a small tin to maybe two-thirds. When plated or served with blini, the portion looks smaller than it reads. People see a 30g tin and assume it will serve four. It won't — for four guests as a proper appetiser course, you need a 125g tin.

Common scenarios

Dinner for two, first caviar experience

One 30g tin is a proper taste (15g each). If this is the centrepiece of the evening, go 56g. Pair with blini and a neutral base — don't crowd it with other rich foods.

Six guests at a dinner party

A 125g tin minimum for an appetiser course. 250g if caviar is the star. For a tasting spread across multiple species, think 250–500g total across 3–4 tins.

Gifting to someone who's never had caviar

A 30g tin by itself reads stingy. A 56g tin with included blini and chips reads considered. Better: The Introduction set — three 30g tins of different species, with accessories. Teaches the recipient how to taste.

Corporate event or catering

Plan 15–20g per attendee for passed appetisers. For an intimate C-suite dinner with caviar as centrepiece, 30–45g per person.

Sizing up our tin options

Common questions

What if I have leftover caviar from an opened tin?

An opened tin keeps 2–3 days, tightly resealed, with cling film pressed against the surface. Use it for eggs, on toast, or alone. Details in our storage guide.

Can I order extra and save unopened tins?

Yes. Unopened, refrigerated, a tin keeps 4 weeks. This makes buying a 125g tin more efficient than two 56g tins if you plan to eat it over 10–20 days.

What's the math on price per gram across sizes?

Per-gram price drops meaningfully with tin size. 30g Osetra is about $3.17/g; 125g is about $2.07/g; 250g is about $1.96/g. For regular eaters, larger tins are more efficient.