For foreigners, Russia is often associated with vodka, red caviar and bears. In our country, caviar really enjoys well-deserved popularity. How can you not love it if it looks so appetizing, is so tasty and its beneficial properties are superior to almost any meat dish.
How to store red caviar? This question often arises among lovers of delicacies, when after the holidays part of the jar remains uneaten or it turns out to be profitable to purchase something delicious and you need it to last until the holidays. Let's look at how to preserve a product without losing quality and taste and how long it will be stored.
Cold storage
To preserve caviar, it must be cooled or frozen. According to the current GOST, it must be stored at a temperature from -4 to -6 ° C, and its shelf life cannot exceed 12 months.
In a standard refrigerator, the temperature ranges from +2 to +5 °C, and in a freezer from -18 to -24 °C. Accordingly, no matter how you twist the jar, no matter what shelf you place it on, you won’t be able to achieve the required temperature. Owners of modern refrigerators that have a freshness zone are in a more advantageous position, in which you can set the selected temperature. But losing an entire shelf for the sake of one jar of caviar is absurd, and the quality of other products stored nearby may suffer from negative temperatures.
You can resort to the “folk method” by placing the jar in a pan with ice and putting it on the top shelf of the refrigerator, while the temperature is really close to the optimal one and in this state, a hermetically sealed jar can be stored for up to a month. But, in my opinion, monitoring the condition of the ice in the pan for a whole month is paranoia, taking into account the fact that without unnecessary movements, the same jar will not spoil in the refrigerator for two weeks.
The shelf life largely depends on the quality of the red caviar itself. According to GOST standards, during production the percentage of table salt is 3-5%; if these proportions are observed, the product begins to freeze only at -3 - -4 °C. In a salty environment, many microbes die. Also, when produced according to GOST standards, in factories, sorbic acid is added to caviar (food additive “Varex-2”), I would argue about the benefits of this additive, but as a result of its influence, absolutely all bacteria die. Based on what was written above, the delicacy, salted according to standards, can be stored in the refrigerator in a closed jar for up to 12 months, if the jar was opened, then up to 2 weeks.
If you purchased caviar in a tin can, to increase the shelf life you need to change the container to glass or plastic, because tin oxidizes quickly. When transferring, new dishes must be scalded with brine (salt water), then allowed to cool and laid out the caviar. Neither oil, nor salt, nor any antiseptic should be added. Caviar is lubricated with oil in the markets to give it a marketable appearance; it does not affect the shelf life.
Conclusion: my advice is to store caviar in the refrigerator, but remember that in this case it is better to eat it as quickly as possible, because... After opening the jar, every day it loses its beneficial properties. And under no circumstances should you consume a product, no matter how much of it is left, if it smells unpleasant, has a specific taste, its appearance does not inspire confidence, or the expiration date has simply expired.
Is it possible to freeze red caviar?
There are times when it is necessary to preserve caviar at home for a long time; there are not many options here: wither or freeze. When it comes to salted caviar, freezing is the only way.
Opinions on this issue are mixed. On the one hand, in our country the requirements for storing food products prohibit them from being frozen twice, on the other hand, the entire Far East, Sakhalin and Kamchatka freeze delicious food every year. Let's figure it out.
During the fishing season, the so-called shock freezing is used on fishing vessels, in which the caviar is salted and placed in sealed containers, most often these are five-cubic barrels or polymer buckets. Next, the temperature in the freezer is set from -19 to -23°C; according to documents, goods processed in this way can be stored for up to 2 years. The question arises, why not repeat the same thing at home, since the temperature in the freezer is just from -18 to -24°C? The answer is simple. Your caviar has already been thawed once. And as GOSTs prescribe, repeated freezing is unacceptable.
But who can guarantee that caviar after shock freezing was defrosted only once? How many points did it go through before falling into your hands? On a ship, in a factory, in a warehouse, during transportation, in a wholesale warehouse, in a store warehouse, on the counter, is the required temperature always maintained? I doubt. I do not urge anyone to violate storage standards, simply guided by personal experience, I can assure you that it is possible to store caviar in the freezer, the main thing is to know how to do it correctly.
But there is nothing complicated.
1. The basic rule is to pre-package the product into containers necessary for further use, having thought in advance how many containers you will need, because After freezing at home, you definitely shouldn’t refreeze the caviar.
2. If the caviar has already given juice, and this indicates a low quality product or a violation of the storage method, it makes sense to replace the brine. To do this, you need to pour salt into boiling water until it stops dissolving (folk method, if raw potatoes float, then the brine is ready). The caviar must be poured onto cheesecloth and dipped into cold brine several times. You shouldn’t get carried away with the process, because... You can over-salt the product. Keep in mind that when caviar is salted at home, it is soaked for an average of 15 minutes, but you simply wash it.
3. After this, after washing the jar with brine, you need to carefully move the caviar. The container should be washed, and not filled with salt water.
4. Place supplies in the freezer.
5. Personally, I froze red caviar for a maximum of 11 months. As a result, no loss of quality was observed after defrosting. The main thing is to defrost it in a cold place, such as a refrigerator. According to the technology, salted caviar will melt at -2 - 0°C, but +2 to +5°C is enough for it to thaw without loss of taste and appearance.
Perhaps many will disagree with me, because... There are as many proponents of freezing as there are opponents. For my part, I can add that I have been involved in caviar for more than 16 years, I have participated and am participating in both production and transportation, I will be glad to hear your opinion on this issue.
Since the article was written, the comments have been updated with useful information. If you haven't found the answer to your question, I will be happy to answer it.
Summarizing
Red caviar is a wonderful delicacy; it is unique in its taste and nutritional value, and even if you know how to store it correctly, it is best to consume it immediately after purchase. This way you are more likely to protect yourself from the possibility of receiving a low-quality product. I would like to add that the most delicious caviar is “five-minute” caviar, prepared immediately after the fish is caught. I wish everyone to try it, then you will understand how not to store caviar, it cannot be compared with a really fresh product.
Tourists want to bring various delicacies back from their trip to their relatives and friends. This applies not only to sweets, but also to some expensive food products. For example, caviar. How much caviar can you carry on a plane? There are certain restrictions on the transportation of such products in all states. They must be respected.
Is it possible to carry caviar on an airplane?
The transportation of these products is not prohibited by any state. The main thing is to comply with the established import/export standards. They are regulated by customs authorities.
Caviar can be transported in two ways:
- in hand luggage directly in the cabin;
- in luggage as registered cargo (filling out a declaration is required).
Air carriers have not established restrictions on the transportation of these products. But this does not mean that you can take it with you in unlimited quantities.
Important! When transporting canned food in luggage, it is necessary to comply with the customs regulations for import and export established by states.
As for transporting caviar in hand luggage, there are certain restrictions in this case. This product, like all canned food, belongs to the category of “liquid products”. And they can be transported in no more than 10 0.1 liter jars.
According to the law, fish products are packaged in containers that indicate not the volume in ml, but the weight in grams. Therefore, formally, security officials may prohibit transporting the product in hand luggage. It may be confiscated during inspection. It is better to opt for transporting these products in checked baggage.
Transportation of caviar in the Russian Federation, the EU and other countries
Is it possible to transport red caviar or other fish to the Russian Federation? Yes, but transportation conditions must comply with established rules. Since caviar is a perishable product. Without proper packaging it will lose its quality.
As a rule, this product is brought from the Far East. To transport it you will need a thermal bag. You can first freeze the product in the freezer. This way it will retain its taste, despite the duration of the flight. This method of transportation is recommended by experienced travelers.
Most importantly, red and black caviar can be transported across the territory of the Russian Federation in unlimited quantities. It must be in high-quality sealed packaging.
In the European Union and other countries, this product can only be transported in its original packaging. It can be made of plastic, metal or glass. The main thing is that it contains the following information:
- manufacturer's name;
- best before date;
- certification;
- marking (gross, net).
Customs transportation standards
According to the rules, a passenger can bring no more than 5 kg of red salmon caviar into the territory of the Russian Federation. If he is traveling with children, then for each child you can take a similar amount of product.
Black caviar can be imported no more than 250 grams. per passenger. In this case, you need to have a purchase invoice (receipt) and a certificate of compliance with GOST standards.
Important! Strict restrictions on the transportation of black caviar are associated with a decline in the sturgeon population.
Over the past few years it has decreased by 90%. Many species remain endangered. At the present stage of development of production in the Russian Federation, several enterprises are engaged in the cultivation of sturgeon. Their products are not cheap. Despite this, its transportation is completely legal.
In EU countries, any sturgeon caviar is classified as a fish product. The rules for transporting it are the same as for fresh or smoked fish. Norm: up to 20 kg per passenger. Such products must be transported solely for personal use. A large quantity of goods may arouse suspicion from the customs service.
Advice. It is better to transport 5-7 kg of products. This way there will be fewer questions about its purpose.
EU countries also have weight restrictions on the import/export of black caviar. It can be transported no more than 125 grams. per passenger. You must have purchase receipts and other documents confirming the legality of the production of these products.
Customs regulations for the import of caviar in other countries
Failure to comply with the established rules entails administrative and criminal liability. The penalty depends on the state into which the products were imported or exported.
How best to transport caviar
These products can be transported if they are stored at low temperatures. Therefore, you need to take care of having a cooler bag. It is small in size. It can be treated as hand luggage and taken with you into the cabin. When transporting a large amount of caviar products, it is better to check it in your luggage.
You can transport caviar products in factory and non-factory packaging. In the first option, the container is hermetically sealed. It contains markings and information about the manufacturer. When transporting products in non-original packaging, you must purchase a sealed plastic container or a special bag in advance.
Note. During the flight, the pressure in the aircraft constantly changes. Unsealed packages sometimes become deformed. Protecting your products with additional sealed containers will keep your items safe.
Reminder for air passengers
An individual transporting sturgeon caviar must have with him documents confirming the legality of its acquisition. By purchasing products from a poacher, the passenger commits illegal actions. This will entail administrative and criminal liability. By following the established rules of the countries of arrival/departure, you can avoid negative consequences.
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I think some of you have wondered whether it is possible to carry red caviar on a plane. It is no secret that foreigners associate Russia with eternal winter, bears, vodka and red caviar, and many want to bring caviar as souvenirs to their foreign friends, but do not know whether it is possible to take it on the plane.
First, let's decide whether we will put the caviar in our luggage or take it with us in our hand luggage. You can take a jar of no more than 100 ml in volume into the aircraft cabin, since according to international air travel regulations, a larger volume of liquid in hand luggage is prohibited.
Yes, yes, exactly the liquid to which canned meat and fish, including caviar, are equated. Be sure that a 200 ml jar of caviar will be mercilessly confiscated from you at the control. The same fate threatens you if you take 100 ml cans, but more than 10 pieces. The total volume of liquid in hand luggage should not exceed 1 liter.
My friend, originally from the Far East, often brings us red caviar in large quantities, and he carries it exclusively in his luggage. You can carry a large amount of caviar within the Russian Federation, the main thing is not to exceed the maximum baggage weight limit, which varies from airline to airline. Don't forget to check this on the carrier's website.
But when it comes to international flights, it’s not so simple. No more than 5 kilograms of caviar can be exported duty-free from the territory of the Russian Federation. Separately, before your trip, you need to clarify the import regulations of the country you are flying to. There may be restrictions on both the weight of the caviar and the cost.
I hope now you have no more questions about transporting red caviar on the plane. Happy flying!
