TRUFFLE QUICK FACTS:
Truffles have always been revered and date as far back as 1600 B.C. These special funghi are known as the “diamonds of the earth.”
There are over 200 species of truffles. The most revered truffles are the Aestivum Vitt., Uncinatum, Magnatum Pico, and Melanosporum.
Chocolate Truffles are named after the mushroom because of their resemblance.
Truffles are known for their aphrodisiac properties due to the pheromone they possess. This pheromone strongly attracts pigs, the original truffle hunters.
ARE THERE TRUFFLE SEASONS?
This classification of global truffle species includes all the truffles of culinary and economic importance.
Black Summer Truffles (Tuber Aestivum) – $$
May-September
Burgundy Truffles (Tuber Uncinatum)- $$
September-November
Black Winter Truffles (Tuber Melanosporum Vitt) – $$$
November-March
White Truffles (Tuber Magnatum) – $$$$
October-December
To learn more about truffle hunting, please refer to Types of Fresh Truffles.
TRUFFLE Q&A’s:
How long do truffles last?
Truffles are living organisms. They have a short shelf life. It is best to consume immediately. The Black Summer, Burgundy, and Black Winter have a longer shelf life (5-7 days) than the White Truffle (2-3 days).
What do truffles pair well with?
They best pair with dishes that are more subtle in flavor to allow for the truffles to shine. Traditional dishes like eggs, pasta, and risotto are most common and popular offerings. In today’s culinary world, creativity with truffles is at an all time high, with pairings found in sushi, ramen, steaks, and even desserts.
How Do Truffles Grow?
All truffles grow underground, attached to the roots of trees. They live in a symbiotic relationship with the roots of certain living trees making it difficult to find. The most popular trees are Hazelnut, Oak, and Poplar. Because they grow underground a dog’s strong sense of smell is necessary.
How Do I Store Fresh Truffles?
To ensure the best outcome of your truffle dish, properly caring for them beforehand is essential. Store truffles individually in paper towels and place them into a sealed container. Each day, re-wrap in new paper towels, to keep the truffles dry. If your truffles are slightly older, you may store in rice to draw out excess moisture.
Why are truffles so expensive?
There are various factors that make truffles expensive. First, it takes a perfect storm for them to grow: spores have to find their way to the habitable tree’s roots, weather has to cooperate and the PH level of the soil has to be right. Second, because truffles grow underground, the only way they’re able to be detected is by a dog’s strong sense of smell. And third, truffles have a very short shelf life and imported from across the world, so logistics and expedited shipping are taken into account for the final price.