What is the Big Deal about White Truffles?
Recipes. Myths. And More.
I have waited 45 years to sniff out the truth about truffles, and I don't want my readers to make my same mistake, succumbing to the fear of the unusual.
Thank you, dear Caroline, for starting me on my hunt. I will never be the same.
Perhaps you don't have a sweet friend like mine who shared her tale of truffled mashed potatoes and gave you a small bottle of organic white truffle oil from The Red Moose Emporium in Anderson, SC. If you do, wonderful! If not...it is my duty to enlighten you (and all those who will listen).
[This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission if you purchase something from one of my links. Thanks in advance.]
I now know why the author of The Count of Monte Cristo believed that if the truffle could speak, it would declare: Eat me and adore God.
Alexandre Dumas understood that God has given us wonderful, tasty, and healthy food to eat because He loves us.
There are up to 70 varieties of truffles according to The Joy of Cooking, but the two of greatest significance are the black and the white. Today - I am going to focus on the white variety (though I must confess my main image does not show a white truffle).
(Recipes at the bottom.)
What Makes A Truffle So Special (and expensive)
A single black truffle has sold between $2000-$2500 (of course that was an extraordinarily large truffle, weighing in at 2.5 pounds). White truffles are even more expensive ounce for ounce, commanding up to $10,000 per pound, making white truffle oil an attractive alternative because it is considerably less expensive, yet still explosive with flavor - which I will share more about presently. Later, I will share how you can sample this oil for absolutely free (not even a credit card is needed).
There are two qualities that make truffles extraordinary: 1) how they are grown and harvested and 2) their aroma and flavor.
White truffles are one of the most aromatic of all foods on this earth. According to The Joy of Cooking:
White truffles are positively pungent, with a racy, almost primal perfume so strong that, in Italy, it is against the law to carry them on public transportation.
One must experience and savor the flavor and aroma to truly understand why one could be arrested (or fined) just for transporting a white truffle.
These aromatic fungi grow underground, forming a symbiotic relationship with the root systems of trees, particularly the oak and hazelnut, [1] and can be buried "up to a meter below ground, [but] never beyond the range of the shady branches" of the trees where by they grow. [2]
Truffles grow in the wild, though businessmen with culinary leanings have tried to farm them, but with little success. [3]
Truffle pigs and trained dogs are necessary to hunt out these buried treasures, using their keen sense of smell. While pigs are more notorious as truffle hunters, dogs are gaining popularity because they don't have the same propensity towards eating the truffle once it has been found (as do the swine).
Don't Start Digging In Your Back Yard Just Yet
If you are like me, you want to find and enjoy your own truffles, saving lots of money.
I am surrounded by oak trees and would love to get a truffle dog - just to see if maybe there are some treats growing in my back yard. However, truffles are mostly known to grow in France and Italy - though some have been found in Oregon.
Chances are they aren't growing in your backyard - or mine ( especially if you live in the States) - so you may want to abandon the thought of getting out your spade and digging.
However, if you do find some (or buy them or their infused oil) you need to know how to cook them (or not).
Truffles Are Shaved and Truffle Oil is Drizzled
Truffles are not meant to be cooked - they are simply shaved onto a culinary dish after it has been cooked. Likewise, truffle oil is used as a finisher of a dish, not to sauté or cook it.
Some common dishes that are enhanced with a truffle drizzle:
Eggs
Pasta
Polenta
French fries
Popcorn
Potatoes
And a little bit goes a long way - use sparingly.
The Myth Concerning Truffle Oil
There is a myth circulating about truffle oil, and it is important to clear up. Many Internet sites are claiming that all (or virtually all) truffle oils on the market are produced with "chemicals such as 2,4-dithiapentane" to "create the flavor of truffle oil." [4]
What these sites really mean is that the cheap truffle flavored oils in the marketplace are produced with chemicals (like 2,4-dithiapentane) to create the truffle flavor. Thankfully, there are plenty of natural truffle oils available for purchase (and at a reasonable price).
However, a natural truffle oil is not made exclusively of truffle, which contains only .6% fat by volume. It would take a tremendous number of these rare fungi to get enough oil to season a single dish (if it could be done at all).
Rather, natural truffle oils have a base of olive oil which is infused or pressed along with the truffles, creating a healthy, natural, amazing oil.
Nutritional Value
"Truffles are some of the most nutritious mushroom available...rich in methionine, cysteine, lysine....phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, iron, sulphur, chlorine, and silicone, as well as amino acids." [5]
When infused in an organic extra virgin olive oil, the end product not only has all the nutrition of the truffle, but also all the benefits of the olive oil, which are many.
Read some of the benefits of olive oil here.
Permission to Try White Truffle Oil (for free)
I told you I would tell you how you can sample truffle oil for free.
We have a little store in Anderson, SC called The Red Moose Emporium. The store is dedicated to selling (organic based) olive oils and balsamic vinegars in numerous amazing flavors by offering self-served samples. Each oil or vinegar flavor has a stack of small plastic cups so the customer (you) can enjoy a tiny taste. In addition, they offer bread for dipping and ice-cream for topping (for use with the balsamic vinegars). Visiting the store is a tasty treat - the owners run a great business. They serve samples of even their most expensive oils. Can you guess which those are?
That's right! The truffle oils.
If you desire to sample some truffle oil, but don't live nearby, google: olive oil tasting. There may be a similar store near you.
If not, I have found the most affordable, healthiest, white truffle oil available (at least that I know of) for purchase online. It is certified organic, and it is the real thing (not the cheap imitations) made by 5 Diamond Delicacies.
5 Diamond Delicacies' Organic White Truffle Oil is available at Amazon for $29.99 for 8.5 ounces. That is only $3.52 per ounce - a deal!
5 Amazing Recipes using White Truffle Oil (as Promised)
I offer these following five recipes with this caveat: Please use only the highest quality (most affordable) organic ingredients available. Enjoy!
White Truffled Turnips by Reformed Health
Parmesan Crusted Portobello Mushrooms with White Truffle Oil by Bobby Flay
Spinach And Mushrooms With Truffle Oil by Epicurious
Cauliflower Soup With White Truffle Oil by Epicurious
French Scrambled Eggs With Truffle Oil by Food.com
Arugula Salad with White Truffle Oil, Marcona Almonds and Shaved Parmesan by the Cooking Channel
Need some White Truffle Oil? Get it here, now! If you enjoyed this post: share it with your friends on Facebook or Pinterest. And thanks for spreading the good news about truffles.
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[2] http://www.reluctantgourmet.com/all-about-truffles/
[4] http://www.livestrong.com/article/462754-truffle-oil-medicinal-effects/
[5] http://www.italian-products.com/freshtruffles-info