First is the Malossol method, preferred by connoisseurs. Malossol means 'little salt' or 'lightly salted' and refers to fresh caviar with less than 5% salt. Modern fresh caviar often has much less, about 3.5%. The term is sometimes used to describe any high quality caviar, though.

With modern refrigeration and sanitation techniques, the amount of salt needed as a preservative is not as great as it once was.