The European truffles, once found, are sliced very thin and served as a condiment to other dishes. They are considered a specialty food; therefore, just one bit of truffle in a dish can definitely go a long way. This is also important to note since they often come with a luxurious price tag. However, just one truffle, sliced in the proper manner, should yield enough to go around one dish that can be enjoyed by multiple people at a gourmet dinner party.

Some of the most popular dishes for these truffles in Europe involve eggs, pasta or even bruschetta. In Le Marche, the most popular dish is a handmade gnocchi with truffles and porcini. Depending on the region, the truffles are served in different ways. A regional cookbook might be helpful if you are looking to maintain an air of authenticity in your truffle dishes since they were handpicked from these popular regions.

When it comes to finding the truffles, the best ones are typically found in Italy or France. The black truffleis the most common; however, people also find white truffles in this area. The truffles are also usually hunted during the fall, which is a popular vacation time of year, yet people sometimes discover them when they go out with their dogs on hunting trips. In the event that you do not have time to search for the truffles on your own, you can always find them in most local European shops.

The in season truffles are typically white, the most difficult to find out of all of the truffles. Black truffles, conversely, are seemingly easier to find and are therefore much less expensive. Beyond the fact that white truffles are only found during one month out of the year, the other consideration has to do with the fact that they are only found in one region of Italy.

Over time, these truffles are becoming more and more difficult to find. Therefore, people are noticing this and are putting a higher price tag on their items due to demand and economic forces. Plus, the truffles are going down in quality as time goes on, signifying that it is important to enjoy the truffles while they are readily available. Consumers are going out of their way to enjoy these truffles while they last.

The truffles in and of them selves, however, are distinctly unique. They have a unique aroma that is often described as a newly plowed field. Sometimes, people even call the odor of these truffles disconcerting. However, this only serves to contribute to their overall allure as something that hides a very large taste yet is only needed in a relatively small quantity to enhance any dish. Chefs around the world have specifically designed recipes to showcase the taste and aroma of these coveted truffles.

In which regions of the world would one find truffle varieties?
Truffle varieties are commonly found in the European continent and it was here that they were first consumed as a food item. Regions of France, Italy and Croatia are known to have climatic conditions which favor the growth of its colonies and the fungi fruits all through the year. The truffle forms mould like tubers which are harvested on full maturity. Most of these truffle varieties do not become very large in size and probably the largest known truffle weighed just a little above 1 kilogram. This was a record for a species which normally exists in very small sizes in nature.

Demand of Truffles in Food market
Truffles occur naturally in nature as White and Black. Both of these varieties are treated as valuable food items and have a great demand in the markets. People who relish this as foodstuff are practically ready to pay any price for it. It is a known fact that a specimen weighing just about 1 kg was bought for a huge price of approximately 300,000 USD.

The only individual to ever top this purchase, when it comes to white truffles, is Stanley Ho, who back in 2007 paid $330,000 USD for a white truffle.

No matter how you slice it, truffles are expensive. But this trend is changing.

Thanks to scientific research, biologists have perfected the inoculation process required to cultivate truffles – A process that has been in the experimental phase for hundreds of years. So what does this mean for the Truffle Market? Well for one, truffles will become more prevalent in the open market, which will drive down the market prices, assuming the demand for this fungi remains at the level it currently is.

In addition to that, Truffles can now be grown in any temperate climate. Unlike the past, when truffles could only be found in specific parts of the globe: France, Italy, Algeria, and certain regions of the United States, other countries are making a splash in the truffle market. Australia and New Zealand, for instance, are two countries that are doing quite well in the race to serve this new market.

So, if you are curious to try a Truffle, it may be advisable to wait until the market price drops before you go out and spend a healthy year’s salary on this culinary ingredient.

Be sure to take a look at our truffle selection of both white truffles and black truffles.

The inoculated Oregon white truffle does not carry the sophisticated, garlic aroma and taste that is common with the Alba white truffle. It does possess its very own earthy, rich aroma and flavor that is perfect on several of your common preparations. Omelets, pasta, poultry and meat are perfect for an Oregon white truffle topping. White truffle oil is a perfect complement to the Oregon white truffle as well.

The Oregon white truffle should not be mistaken with the alba truffle; it is a noticeably different variety with its own exclusive flavor and aroma. The Alba white truffle is one of the most expensive truffles available, occasionally being priced at around $250 per ounce. If you’re looking for a more cost effective way to please your pallet with truffle flavor, consider the Oregon white truffle or even white truffle oil to complement your kitchen creations.

Type:
Depending on your tastes, you may prefer white truffles or black truffles. Black truffles are more common to the white truffle, and thus are less expensive than their elitist counterpart, but that doesn’t mean that they are lacking on flavor. Deciding between white and black truffles comes down to personal preference, and the meal in which they are being paired. Keep in mind that there are over 200 different species of the tuber truffle, so like wine, you want to try several different to determine which you like the best.

Region:
Certain regions of the world are known to have better yields for quality products. Most times, truffle vendors are forward about the region from which the truffles are produced, but it is always helpful to be inclined on this particular point.

Vendor:
Established vendors in the industry are typically the better route when it comes to buying truffles. There are more quality controls internally in established companies. To be doubly sure that the company you are buying from is creditable, look online for testimonials/references.

Freshness:
Ask when the truffle was harvested. Truffles that have been exposed to the air for more than two weeks will show noticeable signs of rot. Most distinctive is the aroma emitted from a sour truffle; it smells nothing like a fresh truffle. Most likely, you won’t be able to determine the freshness of the truffle until it arrives on your doorstep, so it is always good to look into a freshness guarantee when engaging any truffle supplier.

Shipping:
Inquire about the shipping options for the truffle. Typically you will want to express the order to ensure that your truffles are as fresh as possible.

First, truffles will be best located where the weather is warm and the soil is moist. Precipitation is a good indicator that truffles should be on the loose. What you’re looking for is the truffle rings that have caps in the shape of umbrellas. When these caps concave, the time is right to pluck your truffle. You should familiarize yourself with the list of trees that host the symbiotic relationship with the fungus. Truffle loving trees include hazelnut, pine, birches, hickory, firs and oaks.

Another key indicator is the presence of animals. If there is evidence of any unsettled ground where an animal may have been digging, it could be time to start digging yourself.

Bring a rake and start raking. Truffles often hide underneath a collection of leaves, twigs, bark and dirt. It’s important to look for areas that need a fresh rake as this is also indication that other hunters have not plucked the area clean.

Since a lot of truffle hunting is performed without a land owners blessing, pigs may not be your best (quietest) option. Training a dog can be a very thorough process. It should begin with training the dog to consistently locate a simple toy, such as a ball. After the dog has shown competency to locate this toy with ease, the next step is using a product that carries a similar scent. One suggestion is to use a mixture of garlic and truffle oil, as white truffles carry an aroma similar to garlic or cheese. If white truffle oil is too expensive to be used as a training tool, a less expensive gorgonzola cheese can be used as well. It’s vital to provide the dog a treat after location of his goal. It’s also important that this treat taste and smell completely different from the truffle…for obvious reasons.

Lastly, when you do find your truffle pot of gold, it’s advised you keep it under wraps. Gloating about your glorious find will only draw more attention to your truffle grounds!

The North American truffles, typically, are found in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Some of the most active groups looking for these truffles, for instance, are located in Oregon and Washington. People often bond together in these societies looking for truffles, and offer carpool information and hunting tips on websites for all of the members to see. They can also actively participate in forums dedicated to truffle discussions.

Searching for these truffles is often performed in a unique way. Each hunter has their own technique, and is hesitant to divulge the particulars of their hunting methods to other hunters. However, some of the standard practices involve using dogs or pigs to root around looking for these truffles since their sense of smell is vastly superior to that of humans in this regard.

Searching is also performed by using a small rake to peel off the organic layer of litter and then looking for the truffles on your own. The appearance of the truffles is often much like that of a potato; they are red or brown, and often are rather obscured by other items in wooded areas. Searching for truffles is something that requires a lot of patients, but it often yields impressive results.

The two main types of trees that are used in truffle cultivation are: Oak and Hazelnut Trees. These trees are not the only types of tree to bear truffles, but tend to be the most successful in doing so, both in quantity and quality. In order for them to bear truffles, the trees need to be inoculated.

Inoculation is a process that we are only now considering to be scientific. Companies that specialize in this very process are very good at what they do, and sell inoculated trees in different variety and bulk. My recommendation is to try both Oak and Hazelnut. You may even want to consider buy from multiple suppliers.

Once you have your trees, you will want to plot where you would like the trees planted. Depending on how large your stake of land is, and how many trees you will be planting, you can determine placing. While there is not industry standard as to how far the trees should be away from each other, do yourself a favor and plant the trees in straight rows, to add to the atheistic beauty of your creation.

Ideally, you will want to plant the trees a few weeks after the first thaw in spring, or early autumn, whichever is more convenient in your circumstances. Caring for trees, is pretty straight forward, but if you need help there are many tutorials to walk you through the process of tree care, just don’t get caught hugging one.

I will say that soil acidity is considered normal at 7.3 to 7.9. If you sample your soil, and find it to be outside this range, you might want to consult your local nursery. And, prune your trees. Experts in the fields claim that by pruning your trees, you can expect a larger yield. After a few years, you can expect to see truffles.

The truffle chefs also can save some money if they can successfully grow their own truffles. Depending on the type of truffle that they wish to use, just one pound can easily cost a couple thousand of dollars. Therefore, they are always looking for ways to save money so that dishes that incorporate the use of truffles are somewhat more accessible to average people who appreciate gourmet food.

The cultivation of truffles is also something that is new to most people in America. For years, the truffles principally came from Europe, particularly in Italy or France. However, depending upon the climate in which you live, it could be entirely possible for you to cultivate your own truffles. They typically thrive in dense, deeply wooded areas with tons of trees and dark soil.

However, America is also late to the game of even appreciating truffles. In the past, they did not get the recognition that they now gather. However, the truffles are also something very important on account of the fact that they are known for being a luxury item. They would not be found in a typical American chain restaurant, but at some of the more exclusive bistros or cafes, truffles are slowly making their way into becoming a mainstream staple.