Beauty is in the eye of the beholder (truffle) because they are actually not very pretty! Well, we absolutely know that the exotic and delicious truffle makes an exceptional treat that is well worth it. The cost is often determined by how hard they are to find and grow. The tasty truffle is often hard to find because they tend to grow below the surface, which is why they are called tubers, and like potatoes, they ripen best below the surface and away from sunlight. The fruiting part of a subterranean (growing underground) fungus, truffles are highly prized by gourmet chefs around the world and can be incorporated into many fine dishes.
Imagine the first to discover the incredible truffle and decide to eat it?
Those first truffles were most likely discovered by animals that dig or dig burrows to find their food. Pigs are notorious for tearing off truffles and devouring them! Mankind has used their domestic pigs to “hunt” for truffles in the woods, keeping them muzzled to preserve the exotic delicacies once their pet discovers them. A French gourmet named Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin was a lawyer and politician with an excellent palate for fine foods who spoke of the truffle as “a kitchen diamond” and was credited with promoting gourmet delight.
Today home cooks use white truffles in their recipes.
Cooking for the family or wanting to impress the boss and his wife at dinner time is the ideal opportunity to “show off” culinary skills with gourmet ingredients such as truffles and/or the oil or honey that can be produced from them. . These treats can be of the white or black variety, but often the white truffle is easier to find. A large number of recipes can be found that include the use of white truffle and although they are a bit pricey, they add considerable flavor to the main course of the meal, be it beef, chicken, duck, pork or rabbit. The distinctive aroma of truffles really does make one’s mouth water with anticipation!
The white truffle usually grows next to a wide variety of trees
Truffles can commonly be found growing within the root structure of trees such as poplars, hazelnuts, oaks, and beech trees, just below the surface. Color is usually brown with white to pale cream or off-white variegation. They tend to be seasonal and grow during various times of the year in different regions, so one can expect that once the harvest in Italy is complete, perhaps another one in Croatia will be ready to begin. Some regions grow and harvest throughout the year.
Buy truffles at the optimal time for the best flavor
Gourmet grocery stores and many general stores stock white truffles when they can get them because they are “hot” sellers with a premium price. Cooks delight when they can be found and purchased for recipes that will please their family and guests. Look for large, firm fleshy truffles with a strong yet pleasant aroma and use your favorite recipes for a fancy spread that will make you the star of your own kitchen!