Storage & Freshness
Three rules. Unopened, opened, never.
Caviar is salt-cured and stable, but not indestructible. A few simple practices extend its useful life from a few days to several weeks. A few mistakes shorten it to hours. Here are the three rules that matter.
Rule 1 — Unopened: up to 4 weeks
AT 28–32°F (-2 TO 0°C)
An unopened, sealed tin of sturgeon caviar keeps up to 4 weeks at the correct temperature. Red caviar (Keta salmon, trout) keeps slightly longer — 5 to 6 weeks — due to higher natural acidity.
"Correct temperature" means colder than most home refrigerators. Standard fridges run at 35–40°F. Caviar keeps best at 28–32°F — just above freezing. To approximate this at home:
FRIDGE PLACEMENT
- Bottom shelf, back wall — coldest zone in any fridge
- Not in the door — temperature fluctuates each opening
- Not in a "chill drawer" — these are warmer, designed for produce
- Not on top of other items — keeps the tin flat, prevents juice shift
For serious caviar buyers who keep multiple tins on rotation, a small dedicated caviar fridge (set to 30°F) is worth considering. But a well-managed bottom shelf is fine for most.
Rule 2 — Opened: 2 to 3 days
SEALED CORRECTLY, REFRIGERATED
Once you break the tin's seal, the clock starts. Oxygen and ambient bacteria begin their slow work. Resealing properly buys you 2 to 3 days; resealing sloppily cuts that in half.
How to reseal correctly
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Smooth any remaining caviar flat in the tin |
| 2 | Press a piece of cling film (plastic wrap) directly onto the surface of the caviar — no air gap |
| 3 | Replace the lid over the cling film |
| 4 | Back to bottom shelf, back wall of fridge. Consume within 3 days. |
Why the cling film matters: air exposure is the primary cause of degradation in opened caviar. The pearl membrane oxidises, the texture softens, and the flavour develops a faint "off" note within 24 hours if left with an air gap under the lid. Pressing cling film directly onto the surface eliminates that air layer entirely.
Rule 3 — Never freeze sturgeon caviar
THE ONE THING NOT TO DO
Freezing sturgeon caviar destroys it. The water inside each pearl expands as it freezes, rupturing the delicate membrane. When thawed, the pearls release their interior liquid, the texture becomes mushy, and the distinctive pop disappears entirely. You end up with an expensive paste.
This applies to all sturgeon caviar: Osetra, Amur Royal, Siberian, White Sturgeon, Beluga Hybrid.
EXCEPTION — RED CAVIAR
Salmon roe (Keta) and trout roe can be frozen without catastrophic damage — they have thicker pearl membranes. Texture and flavour still change slightly, so fresh is better, but freezing is survivable. Up to 3 months frozen, thaw slowly in the fridge (12+ hours).
Signs caviar has turned
Trust your senses. Caviar that's no longer good will tell you:
- Smell — fresh caviar smells briny and clean, like sea air. Spoiled caviar smells fishy, ammonia-like, or sour.
- Texture — pearls should be intact and distinct. Mushy, broken, or fused pearls indicate temperature abuse.
- Excess liquid — a small amount of natural brine is normal. A pool of liquid in an opened tin after 2 days suggests degradation.
- Colour change — dramatic darkening, greying, or white surface film means discard.
- Taste — if the first bite tastes metallic, sour, or unusually bitter, stop. Don't force it.
When in doubt, throw it out. Caviar isn't worth the illness. Our satisfaction guarantee covers legitimate quality issues — contact us within 48 hours of delivery.
What to do if your shipment is late or warm
Every Just Caviar shipment is packed with dry ice and insulated thermal packaging rated for 48-hour cold hold. In normal overnight delivery conditions, the tin arrives at 28–32°F.
If the shipment is delayed by a day: the ice packs will have melted, but the tin should still feel cold to the touch. If yes, refrigerate immediately and consume within 2 weeks (not 4).
If the tin is warm or room-temperature on arrival: contact us within 48 hours with a photo. Cold-chain breach is our responsibility — we'll replace or refund.
STORE SEVEN TINS PROPERLY
Seven 30g tins shipped together. Refrigerated, they keep 4 weeks — comfortably enough for a weekly rotation. $479.
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