What Do Truffles Taste Like? Is It Delectable?
What do truffles taste like? Is it delicious? Will you like it once you eat it?
Of course, I am pretty sure that all of you of these fancy little delicacies called "truffles." And obviously, I am referring to the real thing, and not the chocolate name.
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A truffle is not desert, by the way. However, it is considered to be a gem of an ingredient because of its distinct and wonderful effects, especially when used in Mediterranean dishes. Pizzas, pasta, and other Italian delicacies also benefit from the truffle flavor once it is used as a base.
To know more about this ingredient and its actual taste, I encourage you to read on.
Contents
What Is A Truffle Anyway?
If we are not talking about chocolates, then truffles refer to a specific kind of mushroom. Pretty surprised? Well, that's really the truth.
Specifically, truffles refer to fungus species that belong to the Tuber genus. Generally, truffles are fragrant. It is one of the distinct characteristics that separate them from other mushrooms. Keep in mind that there are 86 known Tuber species. However, only around ten species are safe to be eaten. Of course, truffles are among them.
Truffles are usually grown in the soils of Asian and European continents. Typically, you can find them in woodlands that features calcareous soil. Upon seeing them, you will notice that their skin is rough and lumpy, which is quite similar to aged potatoes. Meanwhile, the texture in the middle of spongy and firm.
What do truffles smell like? Well, the perfect description that I can give to this matter is sweet and earthy. Just like I said, it is fragrant. It is another reason why it is a favorite ingredient of various gourmets out there.
One can easily compare truffles with wild mushrooms. In fact, the latter is the closest mushroom species that you can be connected to truffles. However, truffles do grow in a submerged environment. Specifically, truffles are sunk in a nutrient-rich substrate. Therefore, it is easy to say that wild mushrooms didn't have a chance to compete with truffles when it comes to nutritional content. Furthermore, the way truffles are grown also makes their flavor rich and aromatic.
To surmise it all, truffles are a type of mushrooms that have subterranean descent. They are incredibly edible and can enhance various recipes and dishes. Of course, any mushroom that is labeled as truffles is safe to be eaten, too.
What Do Truffles Taste Like?
I heard a lot of people asked this question: do truffles taste like mushrooms?
And for me, that's a big disappointment and fallacy at the same time.
Yes. It is true that truffles are classified as a mushroom species. However, this doesn't automatically mean that truffles do taste like generic mushrooms. It is safe to say that truffles have this kind of irresistible flavor. It is downright addicting. It comes with a scent that can awaken your senses without question. And even by just mentioning it, some people would already drool over.
Actually, it is quite difficult to summarize or provide a detailed description of the taste of truffles. Once you have eaten it, you can feel a sophisticated sensation emanating from your mouth.
Of course, it is already a given that truffles have a generally earthy undertone. However, it also contains meaty, gamy, and musky flavor that other mushrooms offer. At the same time, one could also say that truffles are sweet and nutty. Furthermore, I can easily compare it to black olives--savory and juicy notes are brimming from it. These descriptions do vary, but all of these flavors are indeed contained by truffles.
There are instances where the fragrance of truffle spores can overpower its flavor. But there's an assurance that these truffles will just add flavor to any palates you prepare; they will not change the overall trait of the food.
Factors Affecting The Flavor Of Truffles
Truffles are usually grown in Italy, China, Spain, France, Mexico, Poland, Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United States. Most of these countries have the same characteristics in their soil. However, it is notable that the flavor of the truffles that are produced by each of these countries has subtle differences.
Honestly, the taste of truffles can be affected by different factors. From the tree root where these truffles attach themselves while they are growing down to the kind of soil they are in, all of them can work to influence the flavor of truffles. Even the season has a direct effect on the overall quality of the truffles.
With these given facts, it is easy to say that not all truffles are not the same, especially if they are not harvested in the same area or season.
Accordingly, the darker the color of the truffle, the more overpowering its flavor becomes. Anyone who tastes dark-colored truffles can sense the difference in the flavor and undertones as compared to lighter ones. This particular variance in taste and texture is synonymous with those of cheese and wines.
Why Are Truffles Expensive?
One should know that truffles aren't that cheap. For instance, the "World's Largest" truffles have been in the Sotheby's auction for the price of $61,250 to a bidder in China. Just imagine that amount. You can already buy a luxury car with that kind of value!
And honestly, the reason for the expensiveness of truffles is quite simple. Specifically, it is just because truffles only grows in the wild. It is a natural ingredient that cannot be controlled and cultivated.
People in the past have tried to grow truffles in their farms but to no avail. There are even experimental attempts to recreate habitats that are conducive for the growth of truffles by planting hazelnut, oak, and chestnut trees. However, these efforts are futile because they did not yield their expected results.
How expensive is truffle?
Well, the black truffle, which is a common variant, has a cost of approximately $95 per ounce. Meanwhile, the white counterpart is around $168 per ounce.
There are truffle health benefits that you should know as well. They are good in improving your immunity and resistance to some illnesses!
Conclusion
With all of these things given, I am pretty sure that you are already drooling over these truffles. These mushrooms are delectable treats due to the wonderful and complex flavors they have. Being able to taste them is quite a privilege, too, due to its innate expensiveness!
If you have other questions, feel free to drop them in the comment section below.
