FAQs
Questions about our white sturgeon and caviar farming practices:
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Can you trace your white sturgeon fish and caviar?
Sterling Caviar stands behind all our products with full traceability, from the farm to your table. Sterling aquaculture and processing meet the standards for legal international trade in caviar and sturgeon products. We hold a current import / export permit and adhere to the requirements of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in all our export transactions.
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How is your product produced and processed?
Our caviar and meat are harvested and processed at our Northern California farm under exacting and controlled conditions in accordance with an active Seafood HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) Plan. Sterling maintains current registrations with all required federal, state, and local authorities for food processing. Our facility is an establishment approved by the USDC Seafood Inspection Program.
Farm and Sturgeon
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Can we visit your farm?
We are a working aquaculture farm and do not offer tours at this time.
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What species of sturgeon do you farm?
White sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus)
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Am I able to purchase sturgeon meat from you?
That depends. Sturgeon meat or filets are available for purchase to restaurant, retail, or wholesale accounts only. If you are a chef or restaurant, retail, or wholesale account and are interested in purchasing meat, please contact sales@sterlingcaviar.com. For additional information including new client form or credit application, visit our wholesale partners page.
If you are not a restaurant, retailer, or wholesaler, you can find our sturgeon meat available for individual sale from these area retailers:RW Seafood
3707 Stone Temple Ct
Rocklin, CA 95765
(916) 630-8678Sunh Fish Co.
1900 V St
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 442-8237 -
Am I able to purchase live sturgeon fish from you?
No. We do not offer the sale of live sturgeon.
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Am I able to purchase any parts of the sturgeon (scutes, swim bladders, etc.) which remain following harvest for meat or caviar?
No. Upon harvest of caviar and/or meat, all remaining parts of our sturgeon are allocated – either for meat (in the case of caviar harvest), pet feed, or rendering agents.
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Do you farm any other species of fish?
No. We are committed to producing the finest sustainable California farmed white sturgeon and caviar roe in an environmentally responsible manner that respects the species, the environment, our communities, staff, and customers.
Our Caviar
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What does your caviar taste like?
Sterling White Sturgeon caviar is best known for its buttery creaminess, light nutty flavor, and hints of crisp seawater.
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How is your caviar graded and what is the difference between your grades?
We currently offer five gades of white sturgeon caviar. Our caviar is graded by egg size and texture, and – in the case of our Imperial grade only – by color.
Our grades vary by the following characteristics:
Classic. Umami and oceanic flavors. Small to medium, semi-firm to very firm eggs. Unique coloring ranges from onyx to light or dark brown.
Royal. Fatty, buttery, and creamy flavor profile. Medium to large, semi-firm to firm eggs. Coloring ranges from onyx to light or dark brown.
Supreme. A complex combination of hazelnuts and earthy tones gives way to a velvety finish. Large, firm to very firm eggs. Coloring ranges from onyx to light or dark brown.
Two Color. Hints of vegetal notes, minerality, with creamy undertones. Large, firm to very firm eggs. Brownish green coloring.
Imperial. Robust nuttiness that melts away into a smooth, buttery finish. Large, semi-firm to very firm eggs. Golden coloring. -
Does your caviar contain hormones, artificial additives, or artificial preservatives?
No. Our caviar is a pure caviar, containing no hormones, artificial additives, or artificial preservatives. Our caviar consists of white sturgeon roe and a very minimal amount of dry salt which acts as a natural preservative.
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What size caviar tin should I order?
The amount of caviar you order will depend on your specific needs.
In general, we recommend the following serving size* per tin:
30g (1.06oz): 12 spoonfuls or 1-2 people served
50g (1.77oz): 20 spoonfuls or 2-4 people served
125g (4.41oz): 25-30 spoonfuls or 4-8 people served
250g (8.82oz): 50-60 spoonfuls or 8-16 people served
500g (17.64oz): 100-120 spoonfuls or 17-34 people served
*Our recommended serving size has been based on 1/2 teaspoon spoonful per person or 1/2 to 1 ounce serving per person. -
How do I open my tin of caviar?
Grasp tin opener on the larger, oval side between thumb and index finger. Insert smaller, non-oval side of tin opener into space where lid and bottom of the tin meet. Pressing the opener against the tin and moving along the diameter, twist opener back and forth to separate the lid from the bottom of the tin until you hear a “pop.” Lift the lid and enjoy!
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What is the best way to store my caviar?
Caviar is extremely delicate and, as such, is highly perishable. Caviar should be stored in the coldest part of your refrigerator (32° F-35° F / 0° C-1.67° C). Depending on the style of your refrigerator, this is typically in the back and may be on the top or bottom shelf but never in the door. Pro tip: Look for the vent – the spot where the coldest air is being forced into your refrigerator. Never freeze your caviar.
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How long will my caviar last?
Caviar is extremely delicate and, as such, is best consumed within 24 hours and up to 48 hours of opening.
Unopened and properly refrigerated, your caviar will last up to 3 weeks. -
Am I able to purchase your caviar for resale?
Yes – providing that you are a chef, restaurant, retailer, wholesaler, or other similar and you meet our qualifying criteria including a credit reference. To begin the process, please contact sales@sterlingcaviar.com or visit our wholesale page.
Payment and Shipping
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What payment methods do you accept?
We accept MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover.
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When will my credit card be charged?
Your credit card will be charged when your order is processed/readied for shipment. In most cases, this is the day before you receive your caviar.
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How is your caviar shipped?
We ship using FedEx Overnight service.
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How long does shipping take?
All orders are shipped overnight.
Due to the perishable nature of caviar and our commitment to providing you with a product of exceptional taste, texture, and freshness, we do not package your caviar until the day that it ships. To maintain your caviar’s optimal state, it must be shipped overnight. -
How much does shipping cost?
A real-time shipping cost will be provided during the checkout process.
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Why do I have to use overnight shipping if I order my caviar well in advance?
Our goal is to provide you with a pure, world-class caviar. This means making sure that your caviar is of exceptional freshness. To guarantee this in spite of caviar’s perishable nature we must ship overnight, regardless of whether the order is placed two weeks or two days before the selected delivery date.
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Do you ship internationally?
No. We offer shipping to the U.S. and U.S. Territories only.
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Will you ship to a PO Box?
No. We cannot ship to PO boxes.
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How will my order stay fresh during shipping?
At Sterling Caviar, we take the utmost care to guarantee that your caviar arrives in pristine condition. Your caviar is fresh-packed at our farm and shipped chilled, arriving at your doorstep within 24 hours.
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Do you require someone to sign for the package at delivery?
No signature is required for delivery of your caviar.
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What delivery days can I select for my order?
You can select delivery dates from Tuesday through Friday. Saturday delivery is available for an additional shipping fee of $15. We do not offer delivery on Sunday or Monday due to the fact that our farm is closed on Saturday and Sunday. We are not able to offer delivery on National Holidays.
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Can I track my order status?
Yes. You will receive a tracking link shortly following the FedEx pick up of your caviar from our farm.
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I created a user account — How do I log in to check my orders or make changes?
Your order history is found here: www.sterlingcaviar.com/shop/my-account/orders/
Once you sign in, >> click on “My Account” (top right corner), >> on the next screen they click “Orders”.
Have a question? We have the answers!
Use the links to quickly locate the answers for your Sterling Caviar farming, caviar, and shipping questions.
Did we miss something and you still have a question? Please contact us at sales@sterlingcaviar.com