WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TRUFFLES?
Truffles are a rare edible fungus that grows underground, usually, at the base of certain types of trees. Similar to mushrooms, truffles can look a bit like potatoes (and also a perfect pairing). They feature a distinctive aroma and taste that chefs around the world crave.Growing in certain areas under very specific conditions; they tend to spawn right after heavy rains when the soil is damp. They grow in similar conditions to other fungi, where they shy away from extreme heat and freezing environments, preferring a stable temperature and good drainage which make their growth unpredictable.They grow during the same season which their partner tree species grows too, and often mature over four to six years, or even more. The effort and time it takes to produce one truffle, alongside the difficulty it takes to find them, make them a very sought after and highly-prized commodity around the world.Harvested from Italy, France...
HARVESTED FROM ITALY, FRANCE...
Today, most truffles are harvested in the wild from areas in Italy, France, Australia, China, and Croatia, although some areas of the Pacific Northwest in the United States do produce truffles too.Truffle hunters in Italy and France use pigs and mixed-breed dogs to sniff out truffles. Dogs are preferred to pigs because pigs love to eat truffles.
The White Truffle is the most widely known because of its taste and commercial importance. The colour varies from pale cream to dark cream to greenish. Its flesh is unmistakable – white or greyish yellow with thin white veins. It has a pleasant aroma and contrary to other types of truffles, it does not have a garlic-like smell (though it may looks like one). The white truffle typically comes from the northern Italy.
The Black Truffle that hails from Europe looks fairly smooth and round with polygonal warts. The flesh is clear, its smell is intense, aromatic and fruity. The fruiting bodies of the black truffle exudes a scent reminiscent of undergrowth, strawberries, wet earth or dried fruit with a hint of cocoa. The finest black truffles come from France, particularly the southwestern region known as the Dordogne. The Black Summer Truffle, a variant of the Black Truffle is a delicious and versatile ingredient. It has an intense, hazelnut-like aroma and is highly prized for their gastronomic qualities. It can be shaved fresh as a finishing element or infused into sauces to add depth to food with rich tastes like meat, cheese and eggs.These diamonds of the kitchen do not come cheap. Although the price does fluctuate depending on supply and demand, black truffles (the more common variety) costs about $95 per ounce, while white truffles top the charts at about $168 per ounce.
THE DIAMONDS OF THE KITCHEN
Chefs who love truffles usually shave or slice them raw over dishes like pastas, rice, salads, eggs, and meats. They can also be infused into sauces, soups, cheese, butters, and oils.For those unacquainted, it would be recommended to simply shave some truffles atop a fairly regular dish. This way, the taste isn’t overpowered by other flavours and you can start to recognize the unique flavours that truffles can bring to a dish.Some have described black truffles as a mixture of nutty and earthy and others have coined them as having a subtle woodsy flavour with a hint of mushroom. White truffles on the other hand typically have garlicky flavours with a deep musky aroma.
A LAVISH SOURCE OF PROTEIN...
The greatest health benefit of truffles is arguably the fact that they are cholesterol free and low in fat content. Truffles are also a great source of protein, with the protein content ranging from 20-30% in each serving. Lastly, truffles do contain moderate amount of carbohydrates which is ideal for people who don’t typically consume fats and carbohydrates in their diet.We use Italian Black Summer Truffle. It has a rich woodsy aroma with flavours of garlic, wild mushroom and earthy hazelnut undertones. As the name suggests, Black Summer truffles are harvested during summer months. It’s well-balanced flavour and aroma, makes it one of the ideal gourmet for your discerning palate…
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