Calvisius Caviar Essentials - The Kit

For the clearest comparison, taste the two caviars individually before introducing accompaniments.

1. Tradition Prestige

Begin with Prestige.

Its creamy, buttery profile, silky texture, and relatively short finish provide an approachable reference point.

Taste a small amount directly from the tin using the mother-of-pearl spoon.

2. Oscietra Classic

Move next to Oscietra Classic.

Notice the firmer, velvety texture and the shift toward hazelnut, butter, sea urchin, and a much more persistent finish.

Tasting in this order makes it easier to recognize how dramatically two premium caviars can differ despite having similar pearl sizes.

3. Return to Each Caviar with Blinis

Once both have been tasted pure, warm the mini blinis and return to each selection.

Add only a restrained amount of crème fraîche if desired so the accompaniment enhances rather than masks the caviar.

Tradition Prestige

Tradition Prestige works particularly well with:

• Warm blinis
• Crème fraîche, used sparingly
• Boiled potatoes
• Avocado
• Brut Champagne
• Franciacorta Satèn

Its silky, buttery character makes it especially accessible when served simply.

Oscietra Classic

Oscietra Classic pairs particularly well with:

• Blinis
• Boiled potatoes
• Oatcakes
• Unsalted water crackers
• Cuvée Champagne
• Premium Franciacorta

Its long finish and hazelnut, butter, and sea-urchin character benefit from neutral accompaniments that allow its complexity to remain clear.

For the Comparative Tasting

If serving both caviars together, keep the accompaniments consistent at first.

Using the same blini or neutral base for both selections makes it easier to compare the differences in texture, aroma, salinity, and finish.

The best way to understand caviar is to taste different styles side by side.

The Calvisius Caviar Essentials Kit makes that experience easy by bringing together two contrasting selections.

Tradition Prestige is produced from Pacific White sturgeon and provides the softer, more approachable starting point. Its large, silky pearls deliver creamy butter, fruit, gentle nuttiness, and restrained marine salinity.

Oscietra Classic introduces a noticeably different personality. Produced from Oscietra sturgeon, its velvety-firm pearls develop hazelnut, butter, and distinctive sea-urchin notes, followed by a long and persistent finish.

The contrast makes the tasting educational as well as enjoyable:

silky versus velvety-firm
clean and relatively short versus long and persistent
fruity and buttery versus deeply nutty and marine

The included blinis, mother-of-pearl spoon, and tin opener provide the basic tools needed to move from opening the tins to a complete traditional tasting.

Tradition Prestige - 28 g / 1 oz

Species: Pacific White sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus)
Pearl size: Approximately 2.8-3.2 mm
Color: Dark grey to black
Texture: Compact, smooth, and silky
Profile: Butter, fruit, soft nuts, and gentle marine salinity
Finish: Clean and relatively short
Harvest cycle: Approximately 14-15 years

Tradition Prestige is the balanced flagship expression of the Calvisius Tradition family.

Its large pearls open with creamy, buttery richness before revealing pronounced fruit, soft nuttiness, and delicate nuances of the sea.

The clean, relatively short finish leaves the palate fresh, making Prestige an excellent starting point for a comparative tasting.

Best for: first-time premium caviar tasting, silky texture, buttery balance, and broad appeal.

Ars Italica Oscietra Classic - 28 g / 1 oz

Species: Oscietra sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii)
Pearl size: Approximately 2.8-3.2 mm
Color: Brown to dark brown with warm amber tones
Texture: Velvety and firm
Profile: Hazelnut, butter, and sea urchin
Character: Complex and persistent
Finish: Long and distinctive
Harvest cycle: Approximately 9-11 years

Oscietra Classic provides a much more persistent and nut-driven experience.

Its characteristic hazelnut and buttery notes are joined by a distinctive sea-urchin nuance, creating greater marine depth and complexity.

The long finish makes the contrast with Tradition Prestige particularly easy to appreciate.

Best for: discovering classic Oscietra complexity, firmer texture, nuttiness, and a more persistent finish.

Mini Blinis - 16 Pieces

Sixteen soft mini blinis provide the classic warm foundation for caviar service.

Warm them shortly before serving and enjoy them with the caviar alone or with a restrained amount of crème fraîche.

Their mild flavor allows both caviars to remain the focus of the tasting.

Mother of Pearl Spoon

The included genuine mother-of-pearl spoon provides the traditional utensil for tasting caviar directly from the tin.

Its smooth, taste-neutral surface allows the flavor and texture of the roe to remain at the center of the experience.

Calvisius Tin Opener

A dedicated Calvisius Tin Opener makes releasing the sealed tins simple and convenient.

It completes the basic caviar-service setup and removes the need to improvise with conventional kitchen utensils.

The Caviar Essentials Kit is particularly useful for someone who wants to explore premium caviar but does not yet know which style they prefer.

Rather than beginning with one isolated tin, the kit provides two meaningful reference points.

Tradition Prestige shows the creamy, silky, approachable side of caviar.

Oscietra Classic introduces greater nuttiness, firmer texture, marine complexity, and persistence.

The difference between them provides a foundation for understanding other Calvisius caviars later.

And because the essential serving accessories are already included, there is no need for the recipient to know in advance what spoon to buy, how to open the tin, or what traditional accompaniment to serve.

The kit contains two tins of fresh caviar and should be unpacked and refrigerated promptly upon arrival.

Tradition Prestige & Oscietra Classic

For best quality:

• Keep both tins properly refrigerated
• Leave them vacuum-sealed until shortly before serving
• Store them in the coldest part of the refrigerator
• Keep the caviar chilled throughout the tasting
• Refrigerate any remaining caviar promptly after opening

The current Calvisius guidance states that unopened vacuum-sealed caviar keeps for up to 90 days from the ship date when stored at 28-40°F.

Because this kit contains fresh caviar, Calvisius ships it via refrigerated overnight delivery in insulated packaging with ice packs.

Blinis & Accessories

The blinis, spoon, and opener do not require caviar-style refrigerated storage.

Follow the specific storage instructions provided with the blinis and keep the reusable accessories clean and dry between uses.

The Caviar Essentials Kit is especially well suited to someone receiving premium caviar for the first time.

It provides not only the caviar itself, but enough variety and equipment to create a genuine tasting experience.

It is particularly appropriate for:

• First-time caviar buyers
• Birthdays and celebrations
• Couples and intimate tastings
• Dinner hosts
• Gourmet food enthusiasts
• Holiday gifting
• Recipients interested in learning about different caviar styles
• Anyone who does not yet own caviar serving accessories

Choose the Calvisius Caviar Essentials Kit when you want to give someone everything they need to begin exploring caviar - two clearly different selections, a classic accompaniment, and the essential tools for opening and tasting them properly.

It is less about simply giving two tins and more about providing a complete first step into the Calvisius caviar experience.