We are used to eating such delicacies as red caviar, in small portions, on holidays. But sometimes unheard of luck manifests itself in the form of sending with a three-liter jar of goodies from relatives or buying a large amount at a bargain price, etc. In this case, the question certainly arises of how to store red caviar at home. There are some tips to help you stay in good taste and freshness for a long time.

Product selection

The way how to store red caviar largely depends on the quality of the product. At home, it is impossible to repeat factory conditions, and therefore it is worth being extremely careful at the time of purchase in order to preserve the properties of this delicacy as long as possible. So, when buying, pay attention to such points:

• buying caviar by weight, it is worth paying attention to the presence of small black dots (future fry), which indicates the naturalness of the product;
• if you have the opportunity to try the product, pay attention to the fact that when biting, the eggs should burst;
• when buying a packaged product, pay attention to the composition: ideally there should be only caviar, salt and vegetable oil and no additives with the prefix "E";
• pay attention to the address of production facilities - it should be as close as possible to the places of fishing;
• bring the jar to your ear and slightly shake (ideally, no movements inside the container should occur);
• try to avoid buying caviar in a plastic container, as it is easy enough to open.

Shelf life of red caviar

Each product maintains its physical, taste and beneficial properties over a period of time. The shelf life of red caviar depends on several factors, namely:

• the time that has passed from the moment of catching the fish to the extraction of caviar from it;
• duration of fish processing;
• the degree of compliance with sanitary standards;
• conditions for transportation of the finished product.

Of course, in most cases this information is not available to the final consumer, and therefore you have to trust the manufacturer by default. If we are talking about a tin can, then in a closed form, subject to the correct temperature regime (4-6 degrees), you can be sure of its safety for 12 months. But after opening the container, the shelf life is sharply reduced to 2-3 days.

Bank storage features

The most popular product on the eve of the New Year and other holidays is red caviar. In cans on the shelves it can be found, as a rule, most often. If you buy the product in advance, it can be stored for a long time within the expiration date. Keeping caviar is recommended in the refrigerator. At the same time, the top shelf is perfect for this (it’s better to move the jar closer to the back wall). Such a storage method is permissible only until the container is opened. After that, with every hour, the eggs will lose their useful and palatability due to oxidation. That is why, if you are not going to eat all the caviar at once, you need to transfer it to another container.

Tricks of the hostesses

Knowing how to store red caviar at home, you can significantly extend the shelf life of this product. So, if you are not able to master the entire jar at once, you can extend the shelf life of the product for up to a week as follows:

• a small glass jar needs to be washed and sterilized, then doused with salted boiling water;
• transfer caviar into a container, put a couple of slices of lemon on top and tightly tighten;
• instead of lemon, you can use vegetable oil (preferably olive, since it does not have such an intrusive taste and smell as sunflower).

Is it possible to freeze red caviar?

If red caviar in large quantities fell into your hands, the question arises of the possibility of its long-term storage. So, many are wondering if red caviar can be frozen. It is worth noting that this is the simplest, but at the same time, the most undesirable way to store the product, because under the influence of low temperature it loses a number of properties. However, this option is allowed.

If everything is done correctly, caviar can be stored frozen for about a year. It is important to consider that this product does not tolerate repeated freezing, and therefore it must be harvested in batches. Small plastic food trays are best suited for this. Thoroughly treating them with detergents and salted boiling water, spread the caviar in containers. Be sure to cover the vessel with a lid or tighten with cling film.

Subsequent defrosting has some subtleties. So, do not immediately expose the product to heat. The first stage of defrosting should take place on the shelf of the refrigerator. And only after that the caviar will be ready to move to room temperature. This will help to keep the product properties to the maximum.

Plastic container

Sometimes the question arises for the hostesses about how to store red caviar. In a plastic jar, this is quite acceptable. Of course, the period will not be as long as in the case of tin or glass, but up to six months you can enjoy a tasty and fresh product. So, wondering how to store red caviar in a plastic jar, follow these rules:

• first of all, the container should be thoroughly washed and doused with brine;
• when the jar is completely dry, its walls need to be lubricated with vegetable oil;
• after a dense layer lay eggs in a container;
• if the jar is filled to the top, the product must be covered with an oiled piece of parchment cut out in the shape of a jar;
• if the caviar does not occupy the entire container, then it is highly likely that it will deteriorate, and therefore, to block air access to the product, the jar is filled with vegetable oil to the top;
• it remains to tightly close the container with a lid and leave it in a cool place.

Canning

Canning is one of the most popular options for storing various products, including such as red caviar. Glass jars are perfect for this. Follow these steps:

• prepare jars in advance (they need to be washed, rinsed with boiling water and greased the walls with vegetable oil);
• pour water into the pan, put a slice of raw potato in it, and after boiling, start adding salt (after the potato has surfaced, the brine can be considered ready);
• transfer the eggs to a gauze bag and drop them in a cold brine for a couple of minutes;
• wait until the liquid drains and start laying it out in jars (you need to tamp it tightly enough, but do not press);
• now, so that there is no air left in the caviar, fill it with vegetable oil and close the jar with a lid (nylon or seaming);
• in a cool place, caviar will remain until six months.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is worth saying a few words about the benefits of red caviar for the body. It contains in large quantities iodine, phosphorus, potassium, iron, folic acid, fatty acids, as well as vitamins A, E and D necessary for humans. The complex of these substances helps maintain normal metabolism, strengthen bone tissue, strengthen immunity , preserve vision, and also make skin hair and nails beautiful. This product is especially useful for pregnant women. Nevertheless, it is important to know how to store red caviar at home. After all, only a fresh and high-quality product can be really useful.

Red caviar is one of the most beloved delicacies among men and women of all countries. It is served on the table, laid on bread and used as the main component in the preparation of tartlets. Naturally, I want to periodically indulge myself and my loved ones with such a dish, respectively, the question arises whether red caviar can be frozen for storage.

Do caviar freeze?

Red caviar can be frozen two ways:

1. Short-term freezing is carried out in the refrigerator at a temperature of -1 degree. To store it, you need to transfer it to a jar and put the container on the shelf in the open form. So the product can stay fresh for up to three days;
2. Long-term freezing is carried out in the freezer at a temperature of at least 18 degrees. The product should be placed in a glass jar and tightly fixed with its lid. Shelf life can reach up to 12 months.

A frozen spark will retain all its beneficial properties, pleasant taste and smell. Her color tone will remain the same.

Basic rules for freezing

If caviar should taste good even after prolonged storage, it is necessary right   freeze. Exist several features:

• If necessary, freeze a large amount of caviar, it must be divided into several small portions and sorted into containers;
• It is not recommended to repeat this procedure several times, as the delicacy will sharply begin to lose its original appearance;
• For storage of caviar, it is advisable to use glass jars or food containers;
• The product can be frozen for no more than one year, so the date of its placement in the freezer should be indicated;
• If it is necessary to store caviar for more than 12 months, then an antiseptic is added to the container in which the product is located, it can act as sorbic acid;
• You can add a small amount of glycine to the container, it will prevent the adhesion of eggs.

It is required to pay attention to each point of the freezing rule, only in this case you can save several months fresh delicacy.

How to defrost caviar of red fish?

You need to know another, no less important side, how back defrost  caviar of red fish. If you make a mistake at this stage, then instead of an exquisite delicacy, you can get a homogeneous mass consisting of sticky eggs.

1. A portion of the delicacy must be carefully removed from the freezer and put it on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. The first stage of defrosting can last from 10 to 12 hours;
2. Next, you need to place the delicacy in a place with a higher temperature, for example, a few shelves higher or on the windowsill. There, the caviar should be thawed for one hour;
3. Now caviar can be thawed to the end at room temperature.

Of course, not everyone will have the time and desire to defrost a product for almost a day. In this case, you can run accelerated defrosting, spawning from the refrigerator and putting in a warm room. But at the same time, the delicacy can turn out to be liquid and unsuitable.

Useful and harmful properties of red caviar

The table below describes the beneficial properties and disadvantages of this product:

Caviar is one of the most useful foods for humans, but you need to eat it in small quantities, a maximum of five teaspoons per day.

How to distinguish real caviar from a fake

Besides the question of whether it is possible to freeze red caviar for storage, the ability to distinguish a natural product from a fake. There are several characteristic features:

Of course, first of all, it is necessary to pay attention to the cost. No need to believe in promotions and various advantageous offers, a quality product can not be cheap. If a suspiciously low price flashes on the label, then most likely the buyer is faced with the usual fake.

Video about freezing salmon caviar

In this video, the culinary specialist Olga Pogolerova will tell you whether red caviar can be frozen, will give tips on how to do it better:

Red caviar is one of the most delicious delicacies, without which it is impossible to imagine a New Year's table or Shrovetide. Many people buy it for the future - red caviar is eaten quickly, and an extra jar will never hurt. It is very important to properly store caviar. Poor conditions can affect the taste of the product. The simple rules described below will help you maximize the freshness of red caviar.

Interestingly, 100 years ago, red caviar was not considered a delicacy. They ate it not only on holidays, but even in fasting - for example, eggs were mixed in pancake dough. Only in the second half of the last century, red caviar became a symbol of prosperity. Sandwiches with her could not afford all.

Now with red caviar they cook many different appetizers, tartlets and salads.

Now manufacturers offer a huge selection of caviar. Unfortunately, many jars of delicacy contain processed caviar of not very good quality. It is very important not only to choose a good product, but also to store it correctly.

Where can I store red caviar?

Storage of red caviar involves the use of low temperatures. It is believed that the optimal temperature for storage is from -3 to -8 degrees. Unfortunately, in the refrigerator it ranges from -1 to 0, and in the freezer it reaches -20. The way out of this situation is simple - caviar is stored in the lower sections closer to the wall.

Despite the fact that experts believe that it is not worth freezing red caviar, many housewives use this method quite successfully. Chilled caviar can be stored for about a week. Freezing helps to preserve it for several months.

Another way to store caviar is to use ice. Chipped ice is spread in a separate deep plate. A jar of caviar is put on a plate with it and hidden in the refrigerator. By the way, in this form it can be served to the table. Traditionally, caviar is eaten chilled. Cold improves its taste. To do this, it is served on a beautiful plate with crushed ice.

Some housewives use sterilized jars to store food. To do this, clean a sterilized container lubricated with a thin layer of odorless oil. Then they put caviar in it and pour 2 more tbsp. l oils. The jar is closed with a lid. In a sealed form, such red caviar can be stored for up to 6 months.

If you bought caviar in cans, then after opening it must be packaged in glass containers. Tin oxidizes and affects the taste of the product, so it deteriorates faster. In this case, you need to remember the dates that were knocked out at the bank and store it in accordance with these terms. If the caviar after storage begins to be bitter, then it is better not to eat it.

How to store weighted red caviar?

Bulk caviar is stored in the same way as caviar in jars. Most often it is sold in large plastic containers. Before storage, it is better to pack it - put it in smaller containers so that 1 portion is enough for several times.

There is one small trick that residents of the Far East know. Before laying eggs, containers need to be treated with a special solution that will allow it not to spoil for a long time. Tuzluk, this is what this solution is called, is made very simple. Salt is dissolved in boiling water in such an amount that a liquid is obtained that resembles a pickle to taste. All containers for caviar are thoroughly rinsed with it. Then they add the delicacy and store it in any way - in the refrigerator or freezer.

If you decide to freeze caviar, then remember that the portion after defrosting must be completely eaten. You can’t freeze it again - the delicacy will turn into gruel, and the taste will not be the same. When storing red caviar in the freezer, it is important not only to use glass or plastic containers for storage, but also to seal it tightly. Otherwise, it will be stored less. Another rule - get the caviar from the jar with only a clean spoon. Microbes on the surface of the used device can get into the product and spoil it. Also make sure that no water gets into the jar of caviar.

It is important not only to think over the storage of red caviar, but also to choose a quality product. It is easiest to do this if you buy caviar in transparent glass jars or by weight. You should pay attention to the eggs. Ideally, they should be intact, without crushed peas. The amount of liquid in the jar with high-quality caviar is minimal.

Quality is directly affected by the way caviar is processed and its appearance. The most popular red caviar is trout, pink salmon and chum salmon. The quality is affected by the delivery time of the caught fish to the processing plant. If it was brought quickly, then the caviar will be dry. Usually it is sifted through a special sieve, which actually does not damage the eggs. It happens that fish are taken to the factory for several days. As a result, the caviar after processing bursts, a lot of liquid is in the finished product.

It is better to choose trout caviar. Fish are grown on special farms and processing workshops are located right there. Therefore, caviar is packaged almost fresh.

When buying caviar, pay attention to where it is produced and what is included in its composition. Unscrupulous manufacturers add vegetable oil, ascorbic beauty and even urotropin to the product. The last ingredient is especially dangerous, it was banned in 2009. This substance is labeled E239.

Urotropin allows you to extend the shelf life of red caviar. At the same time, it breaks down in the human body, forming toxic substances. If there is a large amount of red caviar with urotropine, then health problems can occur. With a high content of this substance in the body, its decay products affect vision, nervous system, kidneys and liver. Very often red caviar with urotropin is bitter to taste.

Many try to choose caviar from Far Eastern producers. But it is not produced there very much. If the bank indicates that the delicacy is packaged in a place far from the seas, then this is most likely an American product. Such red caviar is bought by weight, and then laid out in banks.

The fame of the manufacturer on quality sometimes does not affect it at all. Even the most popular company can deceive the buyer. Therefore, try to choose the product carefully.

Bulk caviar is better to buy in trusted locations. It can be a processing workshop. On the packaging you need to check the date of packing, the availability of GOST. You can also ask sellers for certificates. Legal workshops will provide you with them without problems, but those who sell caviar in the markets can not always provide documents.

Another trick is adding artificial caviar to real caviar. Usually it is made from eggs, gelatin and dyes. In appearance, such a product is not easy to distinguish from the present. Artificial red caviar usually does not have small dark dots inside. The most effective way to check is to throw a few grains in hot water. Artificial caviar will dissolve in water. By the way, a common way to check the quality of caviar is by turning the can. Capacity with overturn over a plate. If the product remains in the container, then it is of sufficient quality.

Red caviar should be stored in the refrigerator. To do this, it is laid out in clean containers, tightly closed and placed closer to the back wall. In this form, it is stored for about a week. Delicacy can be frozen. To do this, small portions are placed in the freezer. Some housewives use stylized jars oiled for caviar. The last 2 methods allow you to store the product for many months.