Truffle 101

SO WHAT ARE EXACTLY WHITE TRUFFLES?

TUBER MAGNATUM PICO

Season: October - December

The Alba White Truffle is the most prized in the world for intensity, richness and complexity of aromas: over 120 aromatic molecules that blend in perfect balance and, depending on which trees they grow under, reveal varying hints of bush and artichokes, garlic and hay, very delicate notes of honey and hazelnut, but also moist earth and spices.

Skin is fragile and smooth. Flesh ranges from pale cream to brown pinkish with white marbling.
Aroma: intense, combination of garlic, cheese and earth.

WHERE WHITE TRUFFLES COME FROM?

White Truffles are typically found in the forests of the Piedmont region in Italy, which has led to the variety also being called the Alba truffle, named for the city in Piedmont around which most of the white truffle harvest can be found each year.

While Piedmont typically produces the largest quantity of white truffles, other regions in Italy including Molise, Abruzzo, and Tuscany have been known to produce white truffles. Outside of Italy, white truffles have been found in Croatia, Slovenia, and France, although in considerably lesser quantities.
In all regions, white truffles grow  throughout orchards, forests, and wooded areas and are harvested with the help of truffle hunting dogs.

HOW MUCH TRUFFLE TO USE PER SERVING?

There is no limit if not the price! Moreover, truffles, as all mushrooms, are made of 80% of water, therefore they do not have many calories.

Generally speaking an average of 10 grams (0.35 ounces) of truffle per serving is considered enough to savor it.

HOW SHOULD YOU STORE WHITE TRUFFLES TO KEEP THEM AS FRESH FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE?

Once cleaned, wrap each truffle individually in a fresh sheet of kitchen paper towel. Place the wrapped truffles in a clean, airtight plastic or glass container – a flip-top jar with a tight seal works well.

Change the paper towel every 24 hours and re-wrap the truffles. Put them back in their container and refrigerate, repeating the process until you are ready to use them.

We suggest keeping fresh truffles in the coolest part of the fridge, ideally at 37 to 40°F.
However, be careful not to freeze them by accident.

Keep in mind that truffles can lose up to 10% of their weight each day, so be sure to enjoy your truffles as soon as possible upon receiving them. This will ensure that you will be able to enjoy them at their best when their flavours and aromas are at their peak.

ANY TIPS OR TRICKS FOR USING WHITE TRUFFLES IN YOUR COOKING?

Because the flavor compounds and molecules in white truffles are so volatile, it is best not to cook them over intense heat. Slicing or grating white truffles over a piping hot or warm dish of pasta, risotto, or eggs helps to gently warm the white truffle and subtly release its aromas and flavors throughout the dish. The flavor compounds and aromas are also very fat soluble, so mixing the white truffle into oil, cream, or butter sauces helps to extract the flavors and aromas into the sauce.

HOW TO BEST ENJOY WHITE TRUFFLES

White truffles are one of the rarest gastronomic prizes, so it is best to enjoy them over simply prepared dishes to allow the flavors and aromas of this delicacy to be the highlight of any dish. Taking a moment to savor the experience will also heighten your appreciation of such an amazing and delectable ingredient. Sharing the experience with others is another way to heighten the experience and show your appreciation.

Buon Appetito!