Knowing Truffles

Mushrooms are such a sought-after delicacy to people all over the world. In fact, because of its popularity, it has become a staple ingredient to so many dishes. Among the most sought-after types of mushrooms are called truffles mainly because it is rare and is so expensive compared to other types there are.

Contrary to common conception, truffles—the fungi type—does not refer to the chocolate-covered truffles—a confectionary that is loved by many. In fact, connecting truffles to chocolate is one of the misconceptions about the mushroom because these two are not related at all.

Truffles refer to a rare and edible mushroom. This is considered as a delicacy to so many people in various parts of the world because these are so hard to found. Since these are rare, they are so precious and usually found in dishes served at high end gourmet restaurants.

Truffles belong to “wild mushrooms” that are hard to find and makes it one of the most expensive fungi in the world. Experts say that truffles are actually very sensitive types of mushroom because a slight change in weather or climate can affect its growth.

In fact, there are a very limited number of areas where truffles grow and are being cultivated. These are mostly in Europe including Italy, France, Slovenia and Croatia; in the United including Washington and Oregon; in Asia mostly in some parts of the Middle East and in North Africa.

In these areas, truffles—which usually grow about 30 centimeters or approximately one foot—are found under the ground. These are extracted either from the roots of an oak tree, an elm tress, chestnut trees and pine trees as well as in willow trees. Experts say that truffles grow symbiotic relationship with their respective environments.

Since truffles are hard to find, truffle hunting has become a big business when truffle season comes. From fall to spring, “trufficulteurs” or those who hunt for truffles for selling make use dogs that are specially-trained especially in finding buried things usually at night time.

Before the use of dogs in hunting truffles, people have been using female pigs or sows for this purpose. They are used to hunt for truffles since this emits pungent smell that sows mistake for a male pig. Although pigs are proven quite effective in hunting for truffles, there is one disadvantage. Once they find the truffles, they would eat it right away and the hunter could no longer stop them. Because of the nature of female pigs, trufficulteurs has decided to use dogs instead because they do not consume the pricey delicacy once these are located.

Like other mushroom types, truffles are likewise divided into so many different types. In each type, there are variations in sizes, colors, shapes, textures—which can either be smooth or wrinkled—and even in taste.

Usually, the taste of truffles is greatly compared to garlic mixed an “earthiness” flavor. It tastes like mushroom only made more pungent with the aroma of garlic. In the field of culinary, truffles are usually served raw. Since these are quite expensive, truffles are also used as garnish to pasta and other light sauces, vegetable salads, omelets and as toppings to pizza.