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Budget caviar that ships free. Not words you expect to see all together.

However, when you do, you may have some questions. We did. Where does it come from? How should it be served?

Or, if you’ve already stomached the idea of forking out over $100 for a small tin of fish eggs, why not just pay the premium for the pricey roe that we see billionaires and influencers shoveling down on Instagram?

Those were just some of our musings when we learned Quince added Royal Osetra Caviar to its fleet of “inexpensive expensive things.” The same store that sells a $50 “twin” for Tom Ford Lost Cherry and a $119 Bottega Cassette lookalike. So yes, discount caviar was a logical next step. Something that would make a lavish gift or a surprising topper for your next holiday spread.

At Quince, the new ocean delicacy runs $125 instead of the typical $225. It’s sustainably harvested from Sturegeon in Thousand Island Lake, China — and supposedly, it’s the same stuff that they dish out in some of the world’s finest restaurants. In translation, it may as well be the real deal.

Our order shipped overnight in a tight box stashed with ice, a sight of relief for the caviar-skeptics among us. Quince suggests pairing it with Dom Pérignon for the “ultimate holiday celebration.” Meanwhile, our team was left to our own devices, which meant either bumping it or spooning it onto Lay’s potato chips.

Thankfully, our most caviar-savvy team member reminded us that caviar should always be served with a mother-of-pearl spoon. Metal can mess with the very complex flavor. And luckily, Quince includes a beautiful one in the kit, alongside a caviar key to break the seal.

Now, for the moment of truth: my turn to try the caviar. I’m not usually a huge fan of overly briny flavors, but I kept an open mind — encouraged by dozens of 5-star reviews that promised I wouldn’t be disappointed. I slapped a generous portion of beads over a bed of sour cream and took a timid slurp.

The ocean notes were surprisingly soft. Not like seaweed-slime, more like fresh oysters taking a polite dip in the sea. Other critics seemed to feel the same way: cautiously optimistic at first, then pleasantly surprised by the delicate flavor and velvety feel on the tongue.

“Delightfully surprised about the texture,” admitted Senior Social Media Manager, Michelle Moezam, who has her fair share of knowledge on caviar. “Taste was oceany and flavorful, and I loved the texture. Lightly salted, so pairing it with a salty chip was the move.”

Jacqueline Goldstein, vice president of Commerce, shared that she doesn’t typically buy caviar from stores that sell clothing. She came in without many expectations, but left impressed. “It was flavorful and a good texture, a touch more fishy than others I’ve had, but a really great price point to elevate your meal.”

Some detected slightly fishier notes, but still enjoyed it. “I’m a bit late to the caviar game, which made me a little apprehensive,” shared Commerce Partnerships Manager Brooke Parker. “My fear disappeared with the first bite. It was light and fresh… I got a little bit of the fishy follow-up, but it wasn’t too overpowering.”

There you have it: budget caviar kind of slaps. Not a full-on, face-smacking slap. More like a salty yet sweet tap that your taste buds and wallet will actually appreciate.

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