Key takeaways:
- Mother-of-pearl is preferred because, unlike metal, it does not oxidize the grains and preserves all the subtle flavors of the caviar.
- Other natural materials such as wood or bamboo are also suitable to avoid any alteration of taste.
- Stainless steel can be an acceptable alternative for an improvised tasting or a modern setting.
- The "palette" (traditional name for the caviar spoon) remains the reference utensil for respecting the delicate texture of the eggs.
- You are free to enjoy caviar with a plain spoon, on toast with a touch of cream, or even in bolder pairings like oysters or tartare.
The mother-of-pearl spoon, commonly called a “palette,” seems to be the essential tool for caviar lovers. Is that really the case? Are there other ways to enjoy it? This article invites you to vary the pleasures during your next caviar tasting.
It is customary to enjoy caviar with a mother-of-pearl spoon. Unlike metal, mother-of-pearl prevents the grains from oxidizing and allows all the nuances of caviar, even the most subtle ones, to be fully appreciated without alteration. To make it easier for you, we offer a selection on our e-shop.
For an original table setting or an impromptu tasting, wood, bamboo, or stainless steel are also perfectly suitable for enjoying caviar.
With or without toast?
This question often sparks debate among enthusiasts: some prefer the purity of caviar enjoyed without any accompaniment, others the indulgence of a caviar toast with crème fraîche.
At Petrossian, there are no rules. We believe caviar should be enjoyed according to your taste and everyone should create their own caviar moment. In our restaurants, we have already served it on veal tartare, oysters, or even fries! And you, which caviar pairing do you imagine?
Photography: Aimery Chemin, Anne-Claire Héraud • Food Styling: Coralie Ferreira
