Kosher Caviar and Kosher Roe

Kosher caviar is one of the most misunderstood items in the gourmet world. The short answer: classic sturgeon caviar is not kosher. That includes Osetra, Sterlet, Baerii, Hackleback and the Beluga and Kaluga hybrids.

The reason is the fish, not the processing. Under kosher dietary law, a fish is kosher only if it has both fins and scales. The roe follows the fish. Roe from a kosher fish can be kosher, and roe from a non-kosher fish never is.

Sturgeon has fins, but it does not have true scales. Instead, it carries rows of hard, bony plates called scutes along its body. These plates cannot be removed without tearing the skin, so they do not meet the definition of kosher scales. For that reason, mainstream kosher certifying agencies do not certify sturgeon or its roe, no matter how carefully the caviar is made.

So when you see kosher caviar for sale, it is almost always roe from another fish: salmon, trout or another species with fins and scales. It can still be excellent. It is simply a different product from sturgeon caviar, with its own color, pearl size and flavor.

Roe can be kosher when two things are true:

• The fish is kosher. It must have fins and scales. Salmon is the best-known example, which is why salmon roe is the most common kosher roe.
• The product is certified. Loose fish eggs are hard to tell apart by species, and roe is handled in plants that may process other fish. A reliable kosher certification confirms the source and the handling. Without it, even roe from a kosher fish may not meet your standard.

That is why we only call a product kosher when its own listing shows a kosher certification. Certification is issued per lot. If you need the certificate for a specific tin or jar, ask us before ordering and we will send it with the shipment.

Black-colored roe is a common question. The roe in our black caviar collection is mostly sturgeon and is not kosher. Bowfin roe is different: Bowfin is not a sturgeon, and it is a fish with fins and scales. Its listing does not show a kosher certification, so if you keep kosher, contact us about the current lot before you order.

Our Kosher Selection is small on purpose. Here is what it includes and what each item is certified for.

• Copper River Wild Alaska Coho Salmon Ikura, 250 g (8.82 oz), $47.99. Kosher certified. Grade Select roe from coho, or silver salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), wild-caught in Alaska and processed by Copper River Seafoods in Seward. Plump, glossy orange-red pearls with a clean, briny-sweet flavor. This is our kosher salmon roe and the core of the collection.
• Red Apple Cheese Kosher Muenster, 8 oz (227 g), $13.49. Kosher certified. A soft, mild natural cheese made in Wisconsin with no preservatives and no animal rennet, so it is also vegetarian. Great melted in a grilled cheese or omelet, or cubed with apples and crackers.
• Bowfin Caviar, from $65. Non-sturgeon roe from Amia calva, a fish with fins and scales. Small brownish to jet-black pearls with a bold, slightly spicy taste. Its listing does not show a kosher certification, so ask us about the current lot first.

If you are planning a kosher table and need something not listed here, contact us. We will tell you honestly what we can and cannot certify.

Kosher salmon roe is served the same way as any good roe. Keep it well chilled and use a non-metallic spoon, such as mother-of-pearl, bone or glass. Metal can leave a metallic taste.

• Over rice. A spoonful on warm sushi rice, added at the last moment.
• On blini or toast. With crème fraîche or butter, if dairy with fish fits your custom.
• Dairy-free options. If you do not serve fish with dairy, try plain crackers, boiled potatoes with chives, or sliced hard-boiled egg instead.
• For a holiday table. Small spoonfuls on cucumber rounds make a simple, colorful starter.
• On a cheese board. Set the kosher Muenster out separately with apples and crackers for guests who prefer something mild, if your table mixes fish and dairy.

For a mixed table, keep the kosher roe on its own platter with its own spoon, and open it only when you are ready to serve.

Never cook the roe. Heat turns the pearls cloudy and firm. Keep opened roe tightly closed in the coldest part of the fridge and finish it within a few days.

Orders are packed cold and shipped Express in 1–2 business days to the contiguous U.S. Shipping is free on orders of $300 or more. Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico ship at extra rates.

In South Florida, we offer same-day local delivery from Coral Gables to Palm Beach, Monday through Saturday, for $50, or free on orders of $300 or more. You can also visit the Empero Caviar boutique at 613 W Hallandale Beach Blvd, Unit 5, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009, or call +1 (954) 251-2817.

We do not deliver on major holidays (New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas) or the day after. If you need a kosher certificate for a holiday order, ask early so we can send it with the shipment. Inspect your order when it arrives, and if there is a quality issue, report it within 24 hours for an exchange or refund. See our shipping policy for details.