Great news! If you had never been able to try traditional caviar due to its high price point, you may be able to enjoy vegan caviar! Not only is it less expensive, it is so much more sustainable, and packs a ton of flavor.

There are all sorts of varieties of vegan caviar. We recommend pairing them with crusty bread, over a layer of vegan cream cheese or vegan butter! Alternatively, you could make some yummy vegan sushi and place a bit of orange vegan caviar over top for a burst of umami goodness.

However you like to enjoy your fancy fish-free caviar, keep reading to learn more about this new vegan delicacy and how it's made!

Is Caviar Vegan?

As mentioned earlier, there is a traditional form of caviar and a vegan version. Traditional caviar consists of salt-cured fish roe, which is enjoyed as a garnish or spread on a variety of gourmet dishes. However, the vegan version contains no fish, and is instead made using plant-based foods and modern gourmet cooking techniques.

What Is Vegan Caviar?

Vegan caviar is also known as "seaweed caviar" or "kelp caviar". It's made with a technique that is actually considered a scientific discipline, called molecular gastronomy.

The interesting thing about vegan caviar is that because it's a manmade product, it can be flavored in a variety of ways, and mimic all types of caviar. This translates to more variety, and more affordable versions of even the most high-end varieties. In addition, vegan seaweed caviar is far less perishable and more stable when compared to traditional fish caviar. And of course, it's much less taxing on our marine ecosystems.

What Is Molecular Gastronomy?

Molecular gastronomy studies the physical and chemical changes that foods undergo when cooked. Dishes created using culinary techniques developed through this scientific discipline often look otherworldly, with their atypical shapes, luster, and transparency. In the case of vegan caviar substitutes, these techniques are employed to mimic caviar's spherical shape and unique consistency, using seaweed.

How Is Vegan Caviar Made?

Most recipes for homemade plant-based caviar are quite similar. First, flavourful ingredients like mushrooms, seaweed, caper brine, soy sauce, and ginger are boiled in water. Then, a vegan gelling agent like agar agar is added, along with some sort of natural colorant, like carrot juice or activated charcoal. And finally, once the agar is totally dissolved and has thickened the mixture, it's added to a dropper and slowly dripped into cold olive oil in small drops, to form perfect shiny spheres.

This will result in a batch of totally vegan caviar that you can add to any of your yummy plant-based foods for a totally gourmet vegan dish!

Types of Vegan Caviar

As mentioned earlier, a major benefit of using molecular gastronomy to create plant-based caviar is that you can be as creative as you want. Brands that offer vegan caviar may carry a wide variety of flavors, including roe, masago, tobiko, and even wasabi-flavored caviar. Discover the main varieties below!

Black Seaweed Caviar

You may be wondering, is black roe or black tobiko caviar vegan? Sadly, they aren't as they come from flying fish. However, black vegan seaweed caviar does make up the bulk of the current vegan caviar market. It's often colored with activated charcoal and made with kelp. This makes it a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and essential nutrients. This best-selling vegan caviar is also free from cholesterol, heavy metals, gluten, and lower in calories!

Orange Seaweed Caviar

If you've ever spotted orange caviar on sushi, this was most likely masago caviar, which comes from carp fish. It has a distinct umami, briny taste, and the vegan version is no different! When made fish-free, this 100% vegan food is crafted with kelp and colored with carrot extract.

Pink Seaweed Caviar

Pink seaweed caviar is designed to mimic cod roe. This type of caviar is often used to make a puree called tarama, or spreads that are commonly used on toast. However, developed with natural colorants and vegan ingredients, pink vegan seaweed caviar boasts a much smaller carbon footprint.

Wasabi Seaweed Caviar

Yes, thanks to vegan innovation, even wasabi caviar is now a thing! It provides a strong spicy taste and an impressive bright green hue that can instantly elevate the appearance of any gourmet vegan meal. Try it over plant-based sushi or other Japanese-inspired dishes for that extra kick!

Is Vegan Caviar Expensive?

This vegan delicacy is more expensive than other common store-bought toppings, however it is much more affordable than traditional caviar. In addition, the prices are more stable; they do not vary as much as caviar's prices do.

It's also less sensitive to oxidation, meaning it can be preserved for far longer than fish roe. These factors alone could make plant-based caviar a preferable alternative even to non-vegan businesses and individuals who still consume fish.

Is Vegan Caviar Healthy?

Although vegan caviar is still somewhat high in sodium, it typically contains less sodium than traditional caviar, as well as zero cholesterol. So, it can be considered a healthier alternative. It's also usually made with seaweed, making it a good source of fiber and omega-3s.

Is Vegan Caviar Sustainable?

If you've taken a look at the research that found we may see fishless oceans by year 2050, you know that preserving and increasing fish stocks is a major priority. So, the last thing we want to do is extract their offspring from the ocean before they have a chance to reproduce.

That's where vegan caviar comes in. Made with vegan ingredients like seaweed and natural colorants, this alternative is designed to help keep fish in our oceans while still offering consumers that salty, umami flavor they crave.

The Best Vegan Caviar Brands to Try Now!

CaviArt Kelp Caviar and Tosago

Made of kelp, natural colorants, and natural plant-based flavors, CaviArt's fish roe alternatives come in many forms! This Danish brand offers a selection of plant-based caviar substitutes at low, stable prices, including Black Seaweed Caviar, Wasabi Seaweed Caviar, Pink Seaweed Caviar, Orange 'Tosago' (masago and tobiko substitute), Black Tosago, and Green (Wasabi) Tosago.

These products do not require refrigeration, and do not stain like traditional caviar varieties do. They also don't run out of supply. Because of these factors, CaviArt has become the preferred choice for the Danish food service market, making up 70-80% of the caviar served at Danish restaurants! A major win for the vegan community, and for our planet! However, you can also try this product for yourself. Check out the links below to get your hands on a jar of delectable vegan CaviArt now.

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Burst Active Vegan Black Seaweed Caviar

Made with less sodium than traditional caviar, and with zero cholesterol due to the absence of animal ingredients, Burst Active's black seaweed caviar is a healthier, more sustainable choice! Each pearl is loaded with flavor, and offers a burst of umami goodness in each bite.

With a shelf-life of 8-10 months with refrigeration and a low price, it's easy to understand why people are loving this plant-based caviar alternative!

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Ready to try some sustainable vegan caviar for yourself? We hope you were able to find a product that suits your taste and dietary preferences. Don't forget to sign up for our weekly newsletter to discover more fabulous vegan substitutes!