Champagne and caviar is the quintessential pairing for New Year’s Eve, but it’s about to be 2023 and there are so many options for environmentally friendly alternatives to sturgeon caviar. I’ve done the research so you don’t have to and narrowed it down to two of my favorites. Make mindful eating a resolution this year and give one of these alternatives a try. Don’t forget the Champagne!
What is plant-based caviar made from?
Vegan caviar might initially sound disconcerting (what could it possibly be made from?) but simply, plant-based caviar is made from seaweed. The seaweed provides that salty, ocean flavor that makes it a perfect replacement for actual fish roe. As someone who doesn’t necessarily love a chemically-concocted alternative to animal products, I love that these caviar alternatives are made from a whole food.
I tried a few brands and narrowed it down to the best plant-based caviar alternatives. One caviar is from a brand call Caviart. The size and shape resembles something like tobiko that you may find on maki sushi rolls.
The second brand of caviar, Tzar Delicates, is almost an exact copy of traditionally sturgeon caviar. In fact, a few guests at a gathering I hosted were duped by this one. The texture is identical to that of typical caviar. Tzar Delicates also sells non-vegan caviar that is made using more environmentally and animal-friendly techniques, so if you or someone you know is resolute in their consumption of traditional caviar, perhaps introduce them to this more friendly brand.
Depending on whether you want something that’s an exact match for a Champagne and caviar style pairing or if you’re in the mood for some homemade vegan sushi rolls, either of these work. For a New Year’s Eve pairing, I suggest Tzar Delicates, but if you want a tobiko-style roe the Caviart brand is excellent.
How to Serve Caviar
So now that you have the caviar, what do you do with it? Caviar traditionally is served exclusively with Mother of Pearl serving spoons because because other typical materials (such as metal, silver, or stainless steel) can alter the flavor of your $250/oz sturgeon fish eggs. For vegan caviar, you don’t need to stress about flavor alterations but it is still fun to use traditional serving wares.
To serve, choose a base then top it with different condiments. Mix and match the following ingredients to make this pairing your own:
The Base
- Toast points
- Potato chips
- Crackers
- Latkes (potato pancakes)
The Condiments
- Crème fraîche
- Sour cream
- Capers
- Chives
- Dill
- Red onion
- Level up with some edible gold leaf
Finally, don’t forget the Champagne! Or if you’re looking for another use for that edible gold leaf, try making these super fun Champagne Jell-O Shots with Gold Leaf.
Sydney is a 29-year old American living between France and Italy. She has a WSET Level 2 certification in wine, along with a degree in environmental engineering and an MBA. She loves exploring local farmer’s markets, haunting her favorite wine bar, and discovering new restaurants.
