13 Great Caviars You Can Order Online

Along with truffles, Kobe beef, and saffron, caviar is known for being one of the most expensive foods, but not everyone knows what caviar is: it's fish eggs, and salt. The eggs come from a particularly endangered fish called a sturgeon, which is part of the reason why caviar costs so much. Today, it all comes from sturgeon raised on farms.

The price of caviar is also a result of the extensive farming process. Farmers have to wait until a female sturgeon reaches sexual maturity — which can take eight to 20 years. Historically, the fish would then be killed and its eggs would be cut out. Nowadays, some caviar farmers inject a hormone into the sturgeon that allows them to extract the eggs without killing the fish.

The unique taste of caviar keeps people coming back for more. The flavor is extremely savory, subtly fishy, and slightly salty. The texture — full of individual popping beads — is even more satisfying. But not all caviar is this good. To find a great product, you have to look in the right places, which may be on the other side of the world from you. But luckily, we have the internet. Whether you're a first-time caviar eater, or already know the difference between caviar and fish roe, here are 13 great options you can buy online.

Caviar Russe is an American restaurant and caviar company. The company sources its eggs from a small-batch sturgeon farm located in Germany. Coveted caviar varieties like Osetra and Beluga — both originally Russian sturgeon species believed to be responsible for producing the highest-quality eggs — are selected and sourced by Caviar Russe during each harvest. This caviar is the focal point of the menu at Caviar Russe's two restaurants in Miami and New York, the latter of which is Michelin-starred. But you can also purchase the caviar online.

Although these fish eggs can last around four to six weeks under the right conditions (typically 26 to 36 degrees Fahrenheit in a sealed container), many people try to eat caviar as soon as possible. The company has options for express overnight delivery, same-day local delivery, and local pickup at its NYC and Florida locations. Once your purchase is placed, your caviar will even be packed to order, helping to ensure optimal freshness.

There are many different caviars to choose from, but we recommend buying Caviar Russe's Classic Osetra. From its brown-black appearance to its nutty flavor profile, the beloved Osetra variety is a classic example of caviar that will be a great introduction for beginners. The smallest size it comes in is larger than most, at 1.75 ounces, meaning you will pay more. But if you have $165 to spend, this is the one for you.

The Classic Osetra Caviar sold by Marshallberg Farm is another product we'd recommend. It may be described as "Classic" — which means it's not quite as high quality as "Royal" caviar — but this particular product is more appealing to us. For one, the Classic Osetra Caviar comes in attractive black and gray hues, which is what most caviar patrons expect and desire. Additionally, this caviar has more positive reviews than the Royal Osetra. You can buy one ounce of it for around $85.

Marshallberg Farm is a great company to consider ordering your caviar from. It's an American brand that raises its sturgeon at a farm in North Carolina. The fish are raised without unwanted or illegal food additives like antibiotics, hormones, or borax (an ingredient sometimes found in imported caviar). These sustainable practices have earned Marshallberg Farm a recommendation from the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch, which rates organizations based on their environmentalism.

Paramount Caviar is a fine foods brand that sells caviar along with other gourmet items like truffle products, squid ink, macarons, smoked fish, and quince paste. The company doesn't farm its caviar but selects it from various sturgeon farms in the United States and other countries. Paramount's caviar is high quality enough to have been sold to Michelin-starred restaurants. Luckily for at-home shoppers in the U.S., you can order it online. The brand also has in-store pickup and same-day delivery options for people living in New York.

We recommend Paramount's savory Classic Osetra Caviar. This imported variety is farmed but claims to mimic the taste of wild-caught Osetra historically found in the Caspian Sea, with a creamy, nutty flavor. It's olive brown in color, and individual beads are medium-sized. This is a great caviar for newcomers who are looking to get a middle-of-the-road item in terms of price. One ounce will cost you $85.

Russ & Daughters is a self-described "appetizing shop," meaning it sells bagels and foods like cream cheese and lox that are traditionally eaten alongside them. The business specializing in Jewish cuisine now has several locations. It also sells several of its products online, allowing individuals nationwide to experience some of Russ & Daughters' delicious products. The primary item available is caviar.

Online, you can purchase several varieties. These include Kaluga, Osetra, Baerii, and Hackleback. There is even salmon, trout, and flying fish roe available for shipping, too. If you're going to order one of these online, we'd recommend the American Transmontanus. This unique type of caviar comes from white sturgeon in the Sacramento Valley of California. Russ & Daughters describe its taste as similar to that of Osetra caviar. If you want a domestic product similar to a classic caviar like that one, the American Transmontanous could be a perfect fit.

Browne Trading Company is a fine foods importer specializing in seafood. Since 1991, the Portland, Maine-based brand has built a reputation for shipping smoked seafood, fresh seafood, and caviar throughout the United States. During that time, the caviar market experienced its shift from seafood taken directly from the Caspian Sea to caviar sourced from farms. Nowadays, Browne Trading Company partners with these farms to help oversee the entire process. It claims to be the only U.S. caviar importer to do so. These farms are located in China, Israel, Italy, Belgium, and the U.S.

We recommend Browne Trading Company's Snake River Royal White Sturgeon Caviar. The caviar comes from white sturgeon which are raised in southern Idaho, in a region called Snake River Valley. Although the name describes it as "white," the individual pearls of this caviar are pitch black. They are also said to be pretty large. When you eat it, the pearls melt in your mouth, rather than pop. You can purchase one ounce of this caviar for $125.

Imperia Caviar is located in Los Angeles but can ship its products all over the United States. Imperia doesn't own or operate its farms. Instead, it partners with farms located worldwide. According to Imperia, these businesses are focused on combating the overfishing of sturgeon by raising the fish on sustainable farms. These sturgeon also live in freshwater which helps to purify the eggs.

From this caviar importer, we recommend the Royal Ossetra caviar. Black-gray in color, with some gold flecks, this caviar has a bold flavor and a firm texture that pops when you eat it. This "Royal" variety means it is a step up from other Imperia Ossetras, making it perfect for splurging on or using to impress a caviar expert that comes to dinner. This does also mean it's more expensive than usual: The cheapest option is $195 for just one ounce. To guarantee freshness, Imperia offers overnight shipping of this product and other caviars.