Truffles have been treasured for centuries, and today, these fungi are one of the most expensive foods you can buy. One pound of truffles can cost as much as $450.
Unlike mushrooms, which grow above the ground, truffles grow on tree roots 5 to 10 centimeters under the earth. It takes special skills and tools to figure out where they are and gently collect them. Sometimes people leave it to trained dogs and pigs to sniff them out. mushroom truffle
Truffles look very different from mushrooms. They don’t have stalks or gills. Instead, they’re round, firm, covered in warts, and vary in size. Some are as small as walnuts, while others are as large as a fist. mushroom truffle
Over 100 different types of truffles grow all over the world, but you’ll find one of only 10 kinds in your food. Among the most common are “white truffles,” a very smelly Italian truffle, and “black truffles” from France.
Each truffle has its own distinct flavor, depending on the weather during its growth, the type of tree roots it grows on, and the bacteria inside it. In general, though, you can expect a strong, earthy taste (and smell) that’s more like a perfume than a spice. mushroom truffle
Nutritional Value
The serving size for truffles is small. One serving is 0.5 grams, which is just 1/10 of a teaspoon.
One serving of a black truffle that’s been preserved in water and salt contains:
- Calories: 10
- Protein: 2 grams
- Fat: 0 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Carbohydrate: 0 grams
The exact nutrients in truffles will depend on which kind you eat, but they’re all a rich source of amino acids and minerals, including:
Truffles are also full of natural compounds that protect you from “free radicals” — toxins that can damage your cells. mushroom truffle
Health Benefits
In Africa and the Middle East, people use truffles as medicine for skin and eye conditions. But it’s unclear how well they work.
Some studies that tested a very strong truffle extract show that it may:
- Lower cholesterol
- Control blood sugar
- Protect your liver from damage
- Reduce inflammation throughout your body
- Fight bacterial infections
- Help prevent cancer
Keep in mind, the amount of truffles you eat is much smaller, so it’s unlikely to have that kind of impact.mushroom truffle
Risks
An allergy to truffles is very rare. It’s important, though, to only eat a fresh truffle that comes from a known and trusted source, like someone who hunts truffles for a living. Some poisonous mushrooms can be confused with truffles. Only an expert can tell them apart. mushroom truffle
What is truffle hunting
In practice, this means first coating an item in truffle oil and having the dog find it. Then the item is buried under leaves, then rocks, and then actual soil. Eventually an actual ripe truffle is introduced. Et voila: You have a truffle-hunting dog
Top 5 places to Hunt for Truffles
The majority of truffles can be found in Italy, France and the Pacific Northwest. Truffles grown in Italy and France tend to be the rarest kind of truffle and therefore the most expensive.
- Villefranche-du-Perigord. France is home to the world’s most famous black truffles, also known as Diamonds of Perigord. The reason? The truffles found here are huge, with one truffle weighing a remarkable 1.3 kg.
- Alba, Italy is often referred to as the white truffle capital of the world, as truffles grow naturally in this Northern Italy location. An annual truffle fair is held here, which lasts for about six weeks and is the oldest truffle celebration in the entire world.
- Pacific Northwest truffles are often found growing under Douglas fir trees, from Northern California all the way to Southern Washington. (The fact that most truffles are found in Oregon is why people refer to truffles found in the Pacific Northwest as Oregon truffles.)
- Manjumup, Australia is the largest grower of Perigord Truffles in the southern hemisphere due to the rich fertile soils and the cool climate found here. Truffle season in Australia runs from June to September, and it all starts with a special celebration held in Manjimup.
- The south coast of the United Kingdom offers lots of truffle hunting opportunities due to the many forests found here that support the growing of truffles. Top forestry choices include Hertfordshire, Gloucestershire and Cornwall