Truffle Mushroom

What Is Truffle Mushroom?

Truffle mushroom (Tuber species) is a highly aromatic tuber-shaped mushroom that grows underground, living symbiotically with the roots of certain trees (such as oak and hazelnut). Since it develops underground, it's found using specially trained dogs or pigs.

With its intense, distinctive earthy-spicy aroma, it's one of the world's most expensive foods. Its best-known types are black truffle (Périgord) and white truffle (Alba); used in small amounts, it gives dishes a luxurious aroma.

Nutritional Values of Truffle Mushroom

Since truffle mushroom is used in dishes only in very small amounts for aroma, its nutritional contribution is practically negligible. For this reason, no numerical nutrition table is given here; truffle is considered a flavor/aroma component.

What Are the Benefits of Truffle Mushroom?

Since truffle is an aroma component used in very small amounts, its contribution is more about flavor than nutrition; it gives dishes a sense of richness and satisfaction. Using it in moderation is appropriate both for taste and budget.

This information is general; truffle mushroom is a food, not a substitute for medical treatment.

How to Choose Truffle Mushroom?

Quality truffle is a tuber that's firm, dense, has an intense and clean aroma, and shows no softening or mold on its surface. The stronger the aroma, the fresher it is; samples that have softened and lost their aroma have passed their prime.

• Tuber should be firm-dense, not softened
• Aroma should be intense and clean
• No mold or rot on the surface

How to Store Truffle Mushroom?

Fresh truffle quickly loses aroma, so it should be consumed within a few days of purchase; it's stored in the refrigerator in a sealed jar with rice or eggs. During this time, the rice and eggs absorb the truffle scent and can be used separately.

Using Truffle Mushroom in the Kitchen

Truffle is most often used freshly grated over pasta, risotto, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, and meat dishes at the moment of serving; since its aroma evaporates with heat, it's mostly added raw to already-cooked dishes.

How Is Truffle Grated?

With a special truffle grater or thin slicer, it's very thinly sliced over the hot dish once it's plated, right at serving time; this way its aroma spreads at its freshest.

What Is the Difference from Truffle Oil?

Most truffle oil on the market is produced with flavoring compounds rather than real truffle; it doesn't replace real fresh truffle but offers a more economical alternative.

Which Recipes Use Truffle Mushroom?

Truffled pasta, truffled risotto, truffled scrambled eggs, and truffled mashed potatoes are its best-known uses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between black truffle and white truffle?

Black truffle is more resistant to light cooking and more affordable; white truffle has a much more intense aroma, is more expensive, and is almost always used raw, freshly grated.

Why is truffle so expensive?

Growing naturally underground, in symbiosis with certain trees, along with the difficulty of cultivation and the need for specialized searching, makes truffle very valuable.

Is truffle cooked?

Since its aroma evaporates with heat, it's generally added raw to already-cooked dishes at serving time; black truffle is more resistant to light heat than white.

Is there truffle in Turkey?

Yes; natural truffle species are found in various forested regions of Turkey and have been increasingly gathered and used in recent years.

How is truffle cleaned?

The soil on its surface is cleaned with a soft brush and, if needed, a slightly damp cloth; it's not soaked in water, since water damages its aroma and texture.