What is the shelf life of red and black caviar and can the product be consumed if it is expired?

Red caviar contains a large amount of fish oil and biochemical enzymes, and the shell of each kernel is not particularly durable. Therefore, the salmon product has a short shelf life. There are standards that regulate the conditions for the production, storage and sale of granular caviar. Regulatory acts establish acceptable storage containers, optimal temperatures, terms, and the procedure for compliance with sanitary standards. Compliance with all the rules directly affects the properties of the finished red caviar. And the topic of quality of salmon products is relevant among consumers.

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Normative base

There is an established standard that applies to granular caviar of salmonids - GOST 31794. It includes a number of regulatory references, the requirements of which relate to the technical conditions of raw and food products, oil, containers, transportation, labeling, packaging and storage.

Specifications

Red caviar must meet generally accepted quality standards (see Table 1). The product is manufactured according to technical instructions without fail.

Table 1. Established norms for first and second grades.

During the production of granular products, all rules of the established safety regulations must be observed.

For your information

Acceptance of the product must be carried out in accordance with GOST 7631.

Transportation and storage

Transportation of red caviar is carried out in accordance with established rules for the transportation of perishable products, depending on the type of transport (water or land). The storage temperature should be a minimum of minus 6 and a maximum of minus 4.

Granular caviar sent to the regions of the Far North is regulated by GOST 15846. Packaging is carried out in accordance with the following standards:

1. GOST 23285.
2. GOST 26663.
3. GOST 24597.

Regulatory documents indicate the main sizes of packages.

The salmon product is stored in the following containers:

• barrels;
• buckets;
• container.

Attention
Temperature: -6 to -4. Maximum shelf life of red caviar: 8 months.

How to maximize the shelf life of caviar?

The shelf life of red caviar largely depends on how it was obtained and prepared. All operations for the production and storage of the product must be carried out strictly according to established standards. The quality of eggs is influenced by the following factors:

1. Maintaining optimal temperature during storage.
2. Processing of products immediately after extraction (disinfection, preservation).
3. Maintaining sanitary conditions throughout the entire process of processing and storing red caviar.

To extend the shelf life of a product at home after opening it, just follow five steps:

1. Scald the salmon-like grains with water, which must first be salted.
2. Transfer the product into a glass container.
3. Drizzle the kernels with a little olive oil.
4. Cover the container with cling film. A lid, especially one made of plastic, will not work here.
5. Place the delicacy in a cool, dark place.

Please note:
When transferring the delicacy to another container, you must act extremely carefully. The eggs are fragile and can be damaged. If the integrity of the grains is compromised, the shelf life cannot be maximized.

Caviar selection

To find a really good product, and not a fake that can harm your health, you should follow the rules for choosing it. However, the most popular caviar of various fish differs in size and shade:

• Chum salmon – rather large eggs, honey-colored. Creamy taste and thick shell.
• Pink salmon - medium, the color in this type is bright orange, with a familiar taste and a soft shell.
• Chinook salmon are large in size, with a red-orange tint. The taste is distinguished by the presence of a slight pungency. The shell is quite delicate.
• Coho salmon are small, elastic, with a rich red, burgundy color, elastic shell and bitter taste.

These 4 types are traditionally considered the best in taste. It is recommended to make your choice in trusted supermarkets, where they thoroughly check all products. You should not choose cheap cans in the markets, as well as plastic containers without any information written on it.

Selection of caviar in a jar

To determine the quality of caviar from a jar, you should consider a few tips:

• the jar should always indicate the shelf life, grade, manufacturer and not contain any preservatives;
• if the last month of summer is indicated on the packaging date, then this means that this product is good and was not frozen;
• the ideal composition contains only salt and caviar, sunflower oil is also allowed;
• the highest quality product is packaged in coastal and port cities;
• the container itself should not be swollen or dented;
• the concave marking on the lid of the jar indicates that it is a fake;
• if you shake it, there should be no splashes or movement of the delicacy inside;
• in the store this product is stored only in the refrigerator;
• It’s better to choose a glass container, as you can carefully examine the caviar;
• If there is a white sediment, greasy drops, or mold, it is not recommended to take such a jar;
• evidence of poor quality or incorrect storage conditions - if this delicacy yielded juice.

Selection of caviar by weight

Such caviar can spoil much faster, because it is not protected in any way from microorganisms and other external factors. You need to purchase it only from trusted people or in specialized fish departments. To check its quality, you can scoop the product into a spoon; if the eggs begin to fall in a solid lump, then you should not take one. It should be crumbly and fall one by one. In order to recognize a fake that looks very similar to the real thing, you can do several things:

1. Crush the egg with your finger; if it is real, then this will be easy to do.
2. If you dip it in water, the fake will turn orange.
3. When consumed, low-quality caviar will stick to the teeth.
4. The smell of this product is reminiscent of herring.
5. It’s good to examine the eggs; if there are no embryo eyes on them, then you shouldn’t choose one.

Important!

It is recommended to purchase red caviar by weight from August to November, because spawning occurs at this time and it is the freshest.

How long does red caviar last in a tin?

Tin cans contain pasteurized or canned caviar. This means that there are preservatives added to the product. Store this delicacy on the refrigerator shelf. Optimal temperature: from +3 to -3 degrees. Shelf life: no more than 12 months.

Attention

Once the tin is opened, the grainy kernels will begin to rapidly deteriorate. Therefore, it is necessary to immediately apply measures to extend the shelf life of red caviar. First of all, transfer the delicacy into a glass container.

Storage methods

The refrigerator and freezer are perfect for storing the delicacy. However, often in some places the temperature can be above zero, while in others it can reach -25. That is why, to prevent it from deteriorating or freezing, you should place it correctly.

In a refrigerator

The most suitable temperature for long-term storage of red caviar ranges from -2 to -6 degrees. In such conditions, it can remain in good condition for approximately 6 months. This product does not like sudden changes in temperature and it is for this reason that it most often disappears. It is preferable to place the container with it closer to the wall of the refrigerator in the lower place or in the “zero” zone.

In the freezer

It should be borne in mind that it is possible that after putting the caviar in the freezer, its taste will be slightly worse than before, and its shape will lose its elasticity, turning into a shapeless mass. However, if before this you package it in not too large containers, send it to a place intended for flash freezing for 30 minutes and then put it in a regular freezer, then neither the aroma, nor the taste, nor the consistency of this product will change. It is not recommended to freeze it a second time, because in this case it will not be possible to save the consistency and taste.

Important!

You only need to use clean spoons to pick up the caviar. Otherwise, even well-chosen conditions for preservation will not be able to prevent the rapid disappearance of its beneficial properties.

In plastic

If all conditions are met, the delicacy in sealed plastic will be stored for about 6 months, and after opening up to 4 weeks. Processing a container of red caviar includes the following steps:

1. The container is thoroughly washed and rinsed thoroughly so that no particles of detergent remain. Whenever possible, avoid using dishwashing chemicals.
2. Plastic containers are immersed in boiled saline solution for 5-7 minutes. Ratio for liquid: 4 tablespoons of salt per 1 liter of boiling water.
3. The containers are thoroughly dried.
4. The inner surface of the container is lubricated with vegetable oil.

Additional information
When packaging delicacies, you need to ensure that the minimum amount of air entering the contents of the container. To do this, the eggs are placed tightly to each other, leaving no empty space.

Rules for storing at home in the refrigerator

How long can I store after opening the package?

After opening the package, it is not recommended to store red and black caviar for more than one week. The product should be stored in a plastic container or glass jar . It is not recommended to use primary packaging in the form of a tin can, since iron oxidizes in air, which shortens the shelf life of the product and negatively affects its taste.

Attention. Outside the refrigerator, caviar can be stored for no more than 5 hours.

Can it be frozen?

If you purchase a large amount of caviar, it makes sense to freeze it. When frozen, it is laid out in small batches. The container must be sealed and oiled. If all freezing conditions are met, the product can be stored in the freezer for up to 10 months.

It should be defrosted in the refrigerator within 24 hours. Defrosting at room temperature will lead to the product losing its beneficial properties and taste.

How long does red caviar last in the refrigerator?

To ensure that the delicacy pleases you with its pleasant taste for as long as possible while in the refrigerator, you should adhere to the following rules for storing red caviar:

1. The manufacturer indicates the norms and shelf life on the packaging. The parameters relate to the optimal temperature, shelf life after opening, etc. you should adhere to them.
2. You should not keep the product on the refrigerator door, because the temperature is higher there. It is best to place the jars on the shelf closest to the freezer.
3. At the bottom of the container with red caviar you can put small pieces of ice, which should be changed daily.
4. For longer storage, the jars are wrapped in cling film or foil.
5. It is not advisable to frequently open and close containers with caviar. In this case, the eggs are sprinkled with olive oil each time.

Please note:
Canned products are best suited for storage in the refrigerator, since the jar indicates reliable storage times and standards. At the same time, the storage duration does not always correspond to the stated numbers, because much depends on the method of extraction and processing of red caviar.

It is better to purchase salmon grains by weight for consumption within the next 24 hours, because it is not known exactly when it was produced. Of course, you can always try such a product first to ensure its freshness. However, the next day the eggs may begin to deteriorate. However, if you take the product from conscientious sellers and follow all the recommendations for its storage, there will be no problems with the amazing taste of red caviar from the refrigerator.

Methods for storing red caviar

Keeping a pre-purchased delicacy fresh until the holidays is possible only if the established packaging standards are observed. At home, both glass jars and plastic containers are used to store eggs.

The procedure for aging a product depends on its manufacturing processes, as well as the container used.

In a plastic jar

Keeping salted eggs in plastic containers requires the housewife to follow clear rules.

Before installation, the container undergoes thorough processing, which includes the following steps:

1. Rinse with clean running water. Detergents with a chemical composition are excluded, since synthetic particles are not completely washed off and remain on the walls of the dishes.
2. Keeping the container in a hot solution: 1 liter of boiled water and 4 tbsp. l. salt. Time – 6-8 minutes.
3. Drying the plastic mold, coating the inner walls with oil (olive or vegetable).
4. Packaging after the container has completely cooled.

Important! The eggs are placed tightly to each other, minimizing the entry of air into the jar.

In a glass container

Glass jars are the best option for storing caviar.

Before transferring the delicacy into a glass form, preliminary preparation is required:

1. The container is thoroughly washed with running water and soda.
2. Rinses and dries well.
3. Glass containers are sterilized. Processing can be done in several ways:

• using steam (the jar is held over a pan of boiling liquid for 5-10 minutes),
• in the microwave (the glass form is filled with a small amount of water and sent to the electric oven, removed after the liquid has completely evaporated),
• in the oven (the container is pierced for 7 minutes at a temperature of 150-180 degrees).

How long does opened red caviar last?

When sealed, the product remains fresh. After the container is opened, the delicacy begins to deteriorate. The shelf life after opening depends on the quality of the packaging.

Duration of storage of salted caviar in open form:

Attention! Eating a delicacy from an open tin container left at room temperature for more than 24 hours is dangerous to your health!

How long does red caviar last in the refrigerator?

A hermetically sealed product, depending on the production technology, packaging methods and materials used for the container, has different cooling options.

Be sure to read:

Methods for storing live and boiled crayfish, how to properly freeze for a long time

Duration of storage of caviar in the refrigerator:

The shelf life of a fish product in the refrigerator is primarily based on production parameters and characteristics. The packaging date and shelf life of factory products are indicated by the manufacturer on the product label.

How long can red caviar be stored by weight?

The packaging containers in which the delicacy is sold are not supposed to be marked with information about the rules and expiration dates. The buyer does not have reliable information about production conditions, transportation methods and the quality of the product.

Eggs are sold by weight in plastic containers. Caviar is kept closed for up to 7 days. An opened product remains fresh for no more than 2-3 days.

Purchases of treats in bulk should be made no more than a day or two before consumption.

How long does red caviar last in the freezer?

Violation of storage standards leads to the loss of useful and tasteful qualities of a perishable delicacy.

Freezing is carried out in compliance with certain rules:

• the temperature in the freezer should not be lower than -25 degrees,
• optimal indicators for freezing are from -24 to -15 degrees,
• caviar is packaged in small plastic containers or in portioned vacuum forms,
• Prepared containers are kept separately from other products.

Frozen seafood stays fresh for 8-10 months.

How long can red caviar be stored in bulk?

When buying red beans by weight, sellers usually pack the goods in a plastic container. The delicacy will be stored in this type of container for 2-3 days. If you take into account all the recommended conditions for prolonging the freshness of the product, you can consume it within a week. However, it is not known to what extent the standards were observed during the production, transportation and storage of red caviar, which is sold by weight. Therefore, it is better not to take risks and consume the delicacy in the coming days.

Rules for preparing containers for storage

To ensure that the delicacy does not disappear the next day after moving it to a separate container, it needs to be prepared. This can be done in several ways:

1. Salt solution - in a separate pan with water you need to dissolve 4 tbsp. salt and boil. After this, place it in a container, leaving it for a few minutes. Then pour out and dry well.
2. Sunflower oil can help preserve flavor, freshness, and beautiful appearance. To do this, you need to heat 4 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a frying pan. Next, you should lubricate the inner walls of the dish and pour the caviar into it, pouring cooled oil over it. This layer of oil will help reduce the flow of air into the delicacy.
3. Ethyl alcohol - to disinfect dishes from microorganisms, you will need to thoroughly wipe them with alcohol or vodka.

With such manipulations with the dishes before using them, you can extend the storage period by at least 12 days.

How long does red caviar last in the freezer?

Since the red delicacy is considered a perishable product, it will not be stored in the refrigerator for a long time. Therefore, if you purchase a large stock, it makes sense to freeze it. There are standards for proper freezing. If you do not adhere to them, then after defrosting the delicacy will lose its beneficial, taste and other properties.

Instructions for storing red caviar in the freezer:

1. The sealed container is pre-lubricated with a small amount of vegetable oil.
2. The kernels are placed in small portions so that there is no need to resort to long-term storage in the refrigerator.
3. The eggs should fill the container neatly and evenly.
4. The container is stored in a separate compartment, which is rarely opened.
5. Freezing bags should be placed in a row, never on top of each other. If the container is damaged or dented, its contents will turn into mush.

Attention
The permissible shelf life of the product in the freezer is 10 months.
Recommended containers are plastic cups and freezer bags.

Caviar in plastic packaging

Caviar that was purchased already packaged in a plastic container should be transferred to another. If possible, it is better to use the packaging where the lid closes as tightly as possible.

If there is no such container, then the caviar is simply transferred to a clean container, wrapped in cling film to prevent air from entering, and frozen. This is because the main conditions for preserving the freshness of the delicacy are tightness and frost.

No matter how much you would like to eat all the reserves of red caviar, if it begins to spoil, then you need to say goodbye to it. Eating a spoiled product threatens all the same troubles as eating stale fish, that is, the situation can be very dangerous.

Do you often find red caviar on your table? Tell us about it in the comments.