Exploring The World Of White Truffles

Man has been eating and appreciating truffles since way back in ancient times. The cost is generally high but worth all the time and effort to obtain them and add into any dish. The flavour they add to almost any dish is tremendous and when using truffles in a paste or oil can actually be quite affordable. Look for the best season for each type of truffle and you will realize just how delectable they truly are. A truffle comes from an underground growing mushroom. It is the fruiting body and generally tends to grow quite close to trees such as beech, oak, hazel, and poplar, and they are typically fruiting in the fall or autumn time of year.

Types and location determine the flavour of your truffles

Among the hundreds of species of known truffles there are several varieties that are popular and commonly found. The Perigord region in France offers the best in black truffles, whether in whole form or as an oil or even paste, they will give a distinct and succulent flavour addition to any dish. Black Perigord truffles (tuber melanosporum) grow with oak and are commonly available in late fall and into the winter months. The price is commonly sold for about €1,000 per kilo and can be found in many farmers’ market places. Olive oil that is infused with the flavour of truffles provides much in savory flavoring to many dishes.

White truffles (Tuber magnatum) are most often found in northern Italy’s Piedmont region. Their flesh is either brown with white marbling or pale cream in color. Flavors of the various truffles are comparable and often determined by the location where they were grown. Personal choice will determine which variety and type to select and age of the truffle seems also to make subtle differences in mildness and texture. When a recipe calls for truffle oil you know the taste will be tremendous and as it only takes a small amount to accentuate a dish, cost is minimal. Another variety, the burgundy or black summer truffle can be found across Europe and is highly prized for the culinary value, paler color, and mild aroma.

Chinese truffles (Tuber silences) are harvested in China during winter months and are another variety which is similar in appearance to French black truffles but must be infused with the extract of better quality truffles to make them more palatable. They are cheaper and China has a bountiful supply but flavour is not of the quality of European varieties.

Growing truffles has been attempted for centuries but they tend to grow where and when they wish and not on man’s schedule. For this reason they are often quite high in cost. As truffles tend to grow beneath the surface many truffle hunters use dogs and even pigs to find truffles as the animals, particularly the pigs, love truffles themselves and hunt them down voraciously. The animals are fitted with a muzzle to prevent them from eating what they find.

The easiest way of purchasing quality truffles today is over the internet. Making it easy to buy truffles online allows more people to try and fall in love with this delicious flavour addition to any meal.

By: Rob Colbourne

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

If you want to try white truffles then why not look at truffles for information.