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Served fresh, seafood intrigues with a luxurious aura. Whether it’s high-end lobster or an elegant plate of seared scallops, there are many options for diners with an upscale inclination. An especially decadent option is a plate of raw oysters. Slurping the mollusk right from the shell — preferably alongside a sophisticated beverage — entices with a stylish appeal.
You can take the experience to even bougier heights by garnishing with caviar. Coveted varieties of fish eggs combine with oysters not just for show but for flavor, too. In fact, they’re one of the absolute best toppings for raw oysters around. Their salty notes meld with the oyster’s marine flavor, and the quintessential pop offers a nice textural contrast. Something like special reserve beluga caviar lends the fanciest experience, but many varieties of this prized product will turn oysters into an even more exceptional bite. Throw in drink pairings that make caviar even more luxurious, and you’ll have yourself a lavish dining session with no cooking involved.
The best caviar and oyster pairings
Both caviar and oysters come in many different varieties, making possible pairings expansive. There’s not a type to avoid, but it’s helpful to consider how the ingredients interact when you’re buying and serving oysters. Sweeter and smaller Pacific and Kumamoto oysters offer a convenient small shell and pleasantly sweet flavor combination. Although don’t rule out other oysters based on the variety — it is always best to look for what is most fresh.
When it comes to the caviar, oysters are a great way to enjoy spendy beluga, kaluga, and osetra varieties. Their complex saline flavors and tight consistency will certainly pop alongside the mollusk. Sourcing these can be tricky, so consider ordering something like Caviar Russe’s Caspian Sea osetra caviar online.
You can also always reach for more accessible roe types, playing with oyster flavors in creative ways. Among alternatives, you can turn to surprisingly affordable lumpfish caviar. Smaller in size and firmer in texture but with the same dark black appearance, they offer a nice salty flourish to oysters. Plus, you can add in a few classic fixings like onions or crème fraîche alongside. You can purchase a well-priced jar of Agustson Black Lumpfish Caviar Roe online, too.
And finally, don’t sleep on the pairing potential of salmon roe and oysters. Especially juicy and with a delectable salty flavor, this component will surely delight during a seafood night. This combination is particularly delicious with a gently acidic sauce.
