Nothing says "class" quite like caviar (also known as "roe"). Offering caviar on your restaurant menu or selling it in your food store lets customers know you’re a top-of-the-line, high-class business. And the good news is that caviar doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. You needn't wait for a good caviar sale; there are many sources out there to provide you with quality caviar at affordable prices.

First, you must consider what type of caviar you want to provide to your customers. While imported caviar was once considered the only kind worth eating, today excellent caviar comes from many parts of the world--including the United States. So before you buy caviar, consider these possibilities:

1. Domestic caviar may appeal to your customers.

2. Your customers may insist upon imported caviar.

3. Caviar presentation is equally as important as the product.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose domestic caviar for great quality and price

Domestic caviar is considerably less expensive than caviar that's imported. In addition, certain foreign sources may be illegal to buy because the fish are now endangered. Sustainable farms are the source of American caviar. Caviar from the United States is also regulated, which isn't always the case with imported caviar.

I recommend: Sterling Caviar is an eco-friendly, sustainable source of farm-raised sturgeon caviar from California. Offering a 5 percent discount on orders over 1,500 grams makes it an economical choice for bulk orders. Choose from a fine selection of wholesale American caviar from igourmet.com, including varieties such as paddlefish sturgeon, American spoonbill and golden pearl salmon caviar.

Choose imported caviar for tradition

Traditionally, caviar from the Caspian Sea has been considered the best, but Caspian sturgeon are now endangered. Though your customers may prefer it, you should take care when buying any imported caviar as some types are illegal.

I recommend: Caviar Russe is the premier supplier of caviar to the United States' top chefs because of it’s high-quality products. They will ship your order of imported caviar the day after you place it, ensuring that your business has a constant supply. Purchase Caspian and Iranian caviar from the wholesale division of All Fresh Seafood, a provider to the top restaurants and clubs, especially in the New York area.

Serve your caviar with style and elegance

When you offer caviar on your restaurant menu, it does you no good to serve the finest quality product if you don't present it elegantly. Caviar on a regular plate with a metal spoon will fail to impress (and give the caviar a metallic taste), but if you serve it on a beautiful platter with a specially designed spoon, your customers will be sure to return for more.

I recommend: Tsar Nicoulai Caviar sells mother-of-pearl serving spoons and platters for an elegant presentation. Gourmet Direct International offers fun, snail-shaped platters along with traditional caviar servers to put on your restaurant table.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Keep caviar as cold as possible. If you keep an unopened jar at between 28 and 30 degrees F, it can stay fresh for several weeks. Once a jar is open, however, you should use it within two days.