Caviar is one of those foods that instantly feels special—whether you’re planning a luxe date night, a birthday toast, or a full-on tasting party. The only stressful part is figuring out how much to buy. Too little and it’s over in three minutes. Too much and you’ve got a very expensive leftover situation. The good news: portioning caviar is simple once you match the grams to the occasion.
Below is a practical, no-guesswork guide you can use for everything from a “caviar bump” to a centerpiece spread.
The Quick Portion Chart.
Per person guidelines:
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Taste / “First-time try”: 5–10 grams
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Standard tasting (a few bites, multiple pairings): 10–15 grams
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Appetizer portion (generous starter): 15–30 grams
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Main feature / indulgent (caviar-forward course): 30–50 grams
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Caviar-lover mode (hosting, celebrating, or living your best life): 50+ grams
If you’re buying tins, it helps to know the common sizes: 10g, 30g (1 oz ≈ 28g), 50g, 100g. When in doubt, 30g for two people is a very safe and satisfying baseline.
1) The “Caviar Bump” or Small Bite (5–10g per person)
If you’re doing caviar bumps (a small amount on the back of your hand) or serving it as a quick garnish—like a tiny spoonful on deviled eggs, potato chips, or cucumber rounds—5–10 grams per person works well.
Best for: quick add-on moments, champagne toasts, cocktail hour bites
Example: 6 people × 8g = 48g (a 50g tin is perfect)
2) The Classic Tasting (10–15g per person)
This is the sweet spot for most gatherings. Everyone gets enough to experience caviar properly—several bites, room to compare flavors, and enough to try different bases (blinis, potato, crème fraîche, egg).
Best for: first-time tastings, small parties, “let’s do it right” nights
Example: 4 people × 15g = 60g (two 30g tins or one 100g tin if you want extra)
Pro tip: If you’re serving multiple types (say, Ossetra + Kaluga), you can split the portion: 8g + 8g per person across two tins.
3) Appetizer Portions (15–30g per person)
If caviar is the star appetizer—like a dedicated blini course or a plated “caviar and potato” moment—plan for 15–30 grams per person. The lower end is perfect for a structured dinner. The higher end fits a party vibe where people graze.
Best for: dinner parties, holiday starters, hosted tastings with sides
Example: 8 people × 20g = 160g (two 100g tins, or a mix like 100g + 50g)
4) Main Feature / Indulgent Portions (30–50g per person)
This is when caviar becomes the main attraction: a large shared platter, a dedicated course, or the kind of night where you’re not pretending you’re being “reasonable.” At 30–50 grams per person, caviar is more than a taste—it’s the meal’s headline.
Best for: anniversaries, luxury dinners, serious caviar fans
Example: 2 people × 40g = 80g (a 100g tin gives breathing room)
How to Adjust Portions for Your Menu
Portion size depends as much on what else is on the table as it does on how much people like caviar.
Go smaller (5–10g) if:
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caviar is a garnish on multiple canapés
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you’re serving many courses
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guests are mostly first-timers
Go bigger (15–30g+) if:
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caviar is served “family style” and people self-serve
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you’re offering classic pairings (blinis, crème fraîche, eggs, potato)
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your group includes caviar lovers (they will absolutely go back for more)
Hosting Math: Easy Examples
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Date night (2 people): 30g total (comfortable) or 50g (luxurious)
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Small tasting (4 people): 60g total (15g each)
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Cocktail party (10 people): 100g total (10g each)
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Dinner party starter (8 people): 160g total (20g each)
Rule of thumb: For most events, plan 10–15g per person and scale up if caviar is the main focus.
Final Tip: Buy a Little More Than “Exact”
Caviar disappears faster than you think—especially once the blinis and champagne hit the table. If you’re torn between two tin sizes, go up one. The best hosting move is having enough for everyone to take that “one more perfect bite.”
If you tell me how many guests and whether it’s tasting vs appetizer vs main feature, I’ll calculate the exact gram plan (and a clean tin-size combo) for your setup.
