It’s not an easy task to generalize the taste of truffles. But just like some other popular above-ground mushrooms, they do contain a gamy, meaty, musky, and earthy flavour.
Some would say that truffles taste exactly like they smell- earthy and nutty, oaky, juicy and sweet with savoury notes similar to black olives.
The unique taste of truffles is perfect as a garnish for starters like soup or aiolis. To attract expensive food aficionados and mushroom lovers, chefs worldwide proudly make their fine truffle entrees stand out.
What is truffle
Truffles are from the Tuber genus and are indicative of a handful of fragrant fungus species. Unfortunately, only about 8 or 9 of all the 86 Tuber species accepted are consumed as delicacies.
Truffles grow chiefly in underground woodlands that are broad level on calcareous soils. These soils can be found throughout Asia and Europe. Because of the sweet earthy aroma and spongy yet firm texture, truffles look like rough-skinned lumpy potatoes.
You can closely compare the subterranean spore truffle species to mushrooms in the wild. However, truffles cannot compare to any regular above-ground mushroom’s flavour because these are submerged completed in nutrient-rich soils.
How to store truffles
When storing truffles, place the ingredient in a breathable container or a clean tissue paper at room temperature in the dark. So that aroma is not lost, and build-up of moisture is avoided, change the tissue paper daily.
Please do not freeze truffle! Freezing truffle causes aroma loss and moisture accumulation. When you’re thinking about storing truffles, nothing is better than an airtight container.
How do you if a truffle has gone bad
Truffles that are good to go usually last longer. It is important to remember that truffles are used because of their aroma. So your truffle should be fine to use if it still smells good.
However, long before a truffle becomes unsafe to eat, it will lose its aroma completely or smell bad. This is why the fundamental rule for telling if this prized ingredient has gone bad is to check for the smell. Truffles are good if they smell good.
Dishes with truffle
The best truffle dishes include luxurious mains, sides and starters. You can bring a new level of decadency to any dish with truffle sauce and black truffle. It’s time you finally amp up the heat because this fungus works well with everything from truffle and mushroom soup to pumpkin pasta bakes and truffled pappardelle carbonara.
Here’s the list of our top five showstopping dishes you need to serve up for your next meal:
- Sage stuffed spatchcocks and mushroom with truffle cream sauce: a twist on the traditional roast.
- Leaks with brown butter, hazelnut, and black truffle: No one can resist the power of black truffle and brown butter.
- Gnocco Frito sprinkled with rosemary salt: enjoy each bite of a savoury pillow of yeasted and fried dough.
- Truffle pecorino, buttermilk curd and wild mushrooms: it’s time you show your guests what it really means to balance out the act of all these elements.
- Roasted Turkey with truffle: Eat like a king!
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