What do Truffles taste Like ?
What do truffles taste like? Many people have asked me this question and I have seen such questions in forums as well. So, here is something about it and I am sure if you are interested in this topic, you should go through this post for more details.
What Exactly are Truffles?
Any person who enjoys delicious Italian food is likely to have had the pleasure of tasting truffles in the past. They are regarded as one of the finest culinary delicacies. They are sought-after for their distinct flavor as well as their aroma and their rarity.
Many delicious food items that vary from sweet to savory can be enhanced by the addition of truffles. However, after all the talk about it, you may be probably wondering, what exactly is a truffle? To know what kind of culinary delight truffles are, a bit of background information is required.
What are truffles made of?
Truffles are not something that is a culinary invention created in a kitchen, but it’s actually a fungus species, belonging to the Tuber Genus, to be precise.
Truffles are the fruiting body from a few species of subterranean fungi. Typically, they are found near the root of certain trees, they depend on fungivores (animals that consume mushrooms) to help spread their spores.
Although this may sound like something you would never want to eat and feel
enticing, I can assure you that eating the taste of a truffle-based dish will be something the taste of your mouth and palate keep for an extended period of time.
Gourmet chef of renown Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin described truffles as “the diamond of the kitchen” due to their rareness and exceptional characteristics to enhance a dish.
Truffles are highly sought-after by chefs who are experts in Croatian, French, Georgian, Greek, Italian, Middle Eastern and Spanish cooking.
How are truffles collected?
In Spain the custom of collecting truffles as well as others wild mushrooms are a tradition that has been passed down for generations. Eastern and northern Spain specifically has large levels of this delicious truffle.
In the past, pigs or dogs are able to smell the truffles in the ground which alerts their owner of the smell. The black truffles emit an earthy scent that is due to their interactions with other creatures, plants and insects. It’s due to the interactions they have with other species that truffles are able to reproduce. They release spores that assure that truffles will continue to expand.
Why are truffles so expensive?
Black and white truffles can be found in nature and are totally wild. When truffles were first discovered there have been numerous initiatives to plant and cultivate them into a sustainable crop. But because they require a very specific soil, water and other elements, humans have not been able to regulate their development.
They are mostly located in Italy the truffles develop entirely underground in the roots of oak, chestnut hazelnut and other species of trees. Female pigs were the initial animals that were hunted to collect truffles since it was believed that they smelled similar to testosterone levels of male pigs.
Truffle harvesters soon switched to employing dogs since pigs could ruin the truffle beds and they were hesitant to give away truffles because they wanted to eat them too (can anyone blame animals?).
Because of the inability cultivate truffles, the climate and soil differences and the difficulty to locate, truffles fetch an impressive price on the market.
What does truffle taste like?
A few people describe the flavor of truffles that are black as a mix of chocolaty earthy, nutty, and chocolaty. Some may say it has a slight woody flavor that’s accompanied by the slight taste of mushrooms. The area where the truffle is harvested is a major factor in the flavor. White truffles have a different aroma and flavor. They are typically have a mild garlicky flavor that is similar to shallots and a rich smell of musky. The spicy aroma and delicate flavor can transform any standard food into a gourmet experience. Truffles, as we’ve said before, are able to elevate savory and sweet dishes to the level of gourmet.
How do I enjoy it?
The great benefit of black truffles is that they’re more readily available than ever before. It is important to remember that truffles taste best when eaten fresh and have an average shelf-life of few weeks or less when stored properly.
Store your truffles in a separate container in paper towels, and then put them in the sealed glass jar. Place the jar in the vegetable crisper to ensure the freshest possible taste.
Truffles from black can also be preserved in freezers, so don’t fret that you won’t be able to get them all done in a short amount of time. Cover them with aluminum foil, or freeze bags, squeeze out all the air. They can be stored at room temperature for up to three months.
An excellent way is to integrate this tasty ingredient into your cooking is by using truffle oil. You can flavor your already delicious Spanish olive oil by adding black truffles or use the oil to top your dish off with an explosive flavor.
Douse it on your most loved meat or mushrooms dishes, or mix it into your vinaigrette of choice to give your salads a boost of flavor. It only takes a tiny quantity of truffle oil in order to brighten the flavor of a dish but be careful with it!
You can also enhance chicken, egg or rice dishes with truffles that are thinly cut to instantly enhance the flavor. One recipe that is popular and certain to please is truffle risotto. It’s a delicious comfort food that leaves your craving for more.
It is also possible to use the truffles you have collected to create truffle butter, a delicious, creamy spread that pairs well with many different dishes!
Black truffles, white truffles, Alba truffles Burgundy truffles – what are they?
The two most popular kinds of truffles you’ll come across include that of the white truffle (or Alba truffle) and the black truffle.
The majority of white truffles originate from Alba, the town of Alba within Alba in the Piedmont region in Italy. Every autumn, the city is home to the Fiera of Tartufo which is where the bounty of the region is celebrated and sold to the delight of crowds.
If a restaurant is offering the “truffle supplement” (more on this in the future) it is likely that you will receive white truffles. Black truffles are also delicious even if they’re a bit hyped. They’re harvested later in the year from hazelnut and oak trees within the Perigord region of France.
How do I eat truffles?
Now it may come down to this. You would like to ask this question now: how do I prepare truffles and get them ready for eating? Most white truffles are served raw and are usually sprinkled over hot meals which means they barely get warm and then blossom.
There are “truffle supplements” on menus all over town, meaning that for a small cost, you can have fresh white truffles the top of your pasta dish or any other savory dish. Truffles of black are able to withstand cooking, and sometimes you’ll see them sprinkled on pizzas or in a roasted dish.
This sounds so confusing, why can’t I buy truffle oil at the supermarket instead?
I’m not going tell that you shouldn’t use truffle oil. It can be deliciously drizzled on pizza Bianca, or on Parmesan fries. Don’t believe for a moment that you’re experiencing a real truffle taste here because truffle oil does not have truffles in it.
Scientists who are savvy take ordinary olive oil and apply chemicals to replicate the taste of truffles. This is the reason why you can purchase an jar of truffle oil at a half the cost of the real thing.
Wrapping up
What do truffles taste like?
If you get a chance to purchase truffle, make sure you choose it carefully. Have a thorough test before buying (it must have a smoky scent) and then take a long glance at it.
Truffles are priced by weight, therefore if you find a less expensive one that’s bigger than the others, it could be brimming with holes that insects have gotten to it prior to your buying it.
Be cautious and watch out for lumps of clay-rich soil sucked into the crevices making it heavier.
Once you’ve picked your truffle, thoroughly remove any dirt that is visible Dry them thoroughly using kitchen paper. Then, place the truffle into a jar with rice risotto. Put them in the fridge for a few days, but not more than one week. If you let them in for longer, they will begin to shrink. Now you can get ready for cooking these addictive truffles and eating them.
