Are you someone who thinks adding truffles to a dish can elevate the taste and luxury of your meal? You’re not alone. Globally, the truffle market is expected to reach a market value of $906.3 million by 2033. And everyone from high-end restaurants to home cooks is jumping on the trend. If you’re still unsure about this delicacy, here’s a quick guide to all things truffle.
Gourmet truffles are a type of mushroom that grows underground at the roots of trees like oak, hazel, pine, and beech. You can find them all over the world, but they’re prominently grown in France, Italy, Spain, Croatia, and parts of the United States. One of their most interesting aspects is they are obtained in a very unique way — with help from specially trained dogs or pigs. These animals are lovingly referred to as “truffle hunters” and seek out the deliciously elusive delicacy for us to consume.
Discover more about gourmet truffles, including why they’re so expensive, how to shop for them at the grocery store, and how to use them in your cooking.
Harvesting truffles raises the price tag
If you’re wondering why gourmet truffles are so expensive, it’s because of the great lengths “truffle hunters” have to go to obtain them. Cultivating and harvesting truffles is a challenging process — one that contributes to their high cost. What’s more, truffles grow naturally and unpredictably. As a result, “truffle hunters” require specialized knowledge and skill in order to locate them. On top of all that, the demand for truffles contributes to their steep price tag.
How to shop for gourmet truffles
Because fresh truffles are considered a luxury item, it can be hard to find them in a regular grocery store. They’re typically sold in specialized markets, high-end gourmet shops, or online retailers, but sometimes you can find products containing truffles such as oil, salt, infused sauces, and preserved truffles. These truffle variations are a more accessible way to incorporate the luxury ingredient into your cooking, especially if you’re having a hard time finding whole truffles at your local grocery.
Gourmet truffles have a musky, slightly garlicky taste
There’s nothing quite like the taste of gourmet truffles. Their distinct, complex flavor profile has been described as earthy, musky, and slightly garlicky in aroma with an intense umami taste. It can be difficult to honestly express what a truffle tastes like, especially because each individual palette varies. Eating gourmet truffles is a unique experience that needs to be savored!
Three ways to use gourmet truffles in your cooking
Because gourmet truffles are hard to find, expensive to purchase, and pack an intense flavor punch, they’re typically used sparingly in cooking. But there are several ways to incorporate truffles into your favorite recipes, including:
- Shave truffles on top of dishes. These shavings can be added to dishes like pasta, risotto, eggs, salads, and even pizza, enhancing their flavor and aroma.
- Top dishes with infused ingredients. Truffle oil, truffle salt, and truffle butter are popular ways to introduce truffle flavor into your favorite meals. Drizzle truffle oil over finished dishes, sprinkle truffle salt on popcorn or roasted vegetables, or use truffle butter to add depth to sauces and spreads.
- Bake with truffles. While less common, you can also use truffles when making dessert. Their umami flavor can add an intriguing twist to chocolate-based desserts like truffle-infused chocolates or truffle-enhanced ice creams.
Now that you know the truffle basics, it’s time to enjoy them! Incorporate these luxurious mushrooms into dishes that allow their unique taste to shine without overpowering the entire meal. And remember, because truffles are strong in flavor, a little goes a long way.