Truffles are the fruiting bodies of a fungi that grow in the earth of forested areas.

Mother Nature, a force to be reckoned with

As far back as the 1800’s the French gourmet Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin called truffles “the diamond of the kitchen” and whilst France is known as the ‘truffles nation’ their production rapidly expanded throughout Europe. Now, whilst every one of the 200 available species has its own quirky necessities for growth, it seems evident that the traditional European environment is where they thrive, opting for warm summers, cold winters, a little frost and a reasonable, even rainfall throughout the year (but by the way not too much) all delivered consistently over a 7 – 10 year period please – which surely isn’t too much to ask? So, when mother nature decides to throw in a little quirkiness of her own, upping the temperatures, becoming less consistent in her seasons and escalating rainfalls at the most inopportune moments these climate inconsistencies result in the decline and even destruction of truffle crops.

Where there is adversity, there is also opportunity

The rise of temperatures and decline of rainfall across the globe, which scientists arguably refer to as the result of climate change, has seen a disruption to European crops causing havoc not only to supply but to their ever increasing price.

But where there is adversity, we must search for opportunity, and so whilst the decline in European crops has had an impact on truffle growing, it has also unlocked great opportunity for the truffle farming industry in America, as well as expanded into some unlikely localities such as UK, Chile, South Africa, New Zealand and whilst a relatively new crop, rather successfully in the southern regions of Australia.

Rows of truffle trees in the orchard

The climate question is a complex one and purely considering temperatures and seasons could be taking a rather simplistic view. But when we take into account other influences such as soil conditions, farm design and water storage, we start to see quite clearly that Europe is going to face substantial challenges for truffle production in the coming years. The solution just may rest in American soil, where the future of truffle farming seems most hopeful.

Conception of the charlatan

The truffle industry is already compromised as the inferior Chinese grown product is creeping its way into the market with insinuations bouncing around that these Asian counterparts are being sprayed with synthetic aromas to make them smell like the real thing. But will the development into other countries result in the expansion of a charlatan or the production of a highly prized outcome that will become synonymous with its European counterpart? One thing we know for certain is that when it comes to mother nature – there are no certainties.

If you want to learn more about the distinctions of high quality truffles, make sure to read through.

The post Is Climate Tampering with the Temperamental Truffle? appeared first on Susan Alexander Truffles.

There are many elements that distinguish one truffle from the next, from the origins, to their colour, texture, aroma, and depth of flavour. You will no doubt develop a favourite after taste testing. Below is a quick guide to the unique characteristics of different truffle varieties.

Black and white Italian truffles

Italian truffles are best known for being the most aromatic of the truffle species. They have a wrinkly skin and vary in size between a walnut to an orange. White truffles are often served shaved or sliced over already cooked food in order to encourage their flavour. Whilst black truffles are generally heated and cooked within the dish to utilise their flavour best.

Black and white summer truffles

Summer truffles are distinguished by being the largest of the truffle varieties and are found across Europe. They have a black to brown outer skin and rough pyramidal shaped ‘warts’. The aroma, you’ll find, is intense and reminiscent of hazelnuts. These are a highly coveted variety of truffle and hugely popular.

Asian truffles

Asian truffles present with a hard and grainy skin and are black on the inside. However, despite their rough exterior appearance, they have a mild and captivating taste. They are less pungent than the European truffles, and are perfect for those who do prefer the milder truffle flavour.

Australian truffles

Australian truffles have a distinctive black and white marbling inside and are very firm to touch. They also possess a strong aroma and a strong flavour. The truffle industry in Australia and in New Zealand is expanding each year, with more and more successful harvests reported.

Oregon truffles

Oregon truffles are knobbly and gnarled, however once you get up close you’ll notice their delicious buttery and herbal aroma. In fact, they are so aromatic that they release oil at their peak. Oregon truffles exhibit world-class flavours and are highly sought-after in their local area as well as around the world.

Some truffle experts are able to distinguish the variety of truffle just from the aroma presented to them. However, the everyday person isn’t expected to be able to determine the type just from the aroma. By combining the appearance, texture and knowledge of where the truffle is from, you too can easily impress your guests with truffle trivia. And then of course go on to enjoy the delicious delicacy that are truffles!

Ready to indulge in a wonderful truffle experience? You can visit Susan Alexander Truffles to get started.

The post Around the World with Truffle Varieties – A Guide for Truffle Lovers appeared first on Susan Alexander Truffles.

What do truffles have to offer?

SOURCE: Unsplash

Although they may seem unassuming, truffles and mushrooms contain important nutrients for a vegetarian diet. They are a great source of selenium, which helps keep immune and thyroid systems running optimally and help product antioxidants. While other food products contain selenium, truffles and mushrooms contain especially high levels. They are also high in other essential minerals such as vitamin D, iron, zinc and potassium.

Truffles and mushrooms are a source of high protein for vegetarians and truffles contain 20 to 30 percent protein in each serve. They also contain amino acids which are necessary for good nutrition. As an added bonus to these health benefits of truffles, they are low-fat and cholesterol free, which means you can enjoy this delicacy guilt-free!

If you’d like to learn more about how you can add truffles to your diet, take a look at Susan Alexander’s decadent recipe for truffled grilled cheese.

The post Add More Nutrition to Your Vegetarian Diet with Truffles appeared first on Susan Alexander Truffles.

While not everyone is willing to pay $100 for a truffle dish, those who do get to experience the gourmet gem describe the smell of truffles as hypnotizing – so much so that as soon as its aroma hits you, you forget everything around you and your mind flees to a dank green forest, someplace in Europe, populated with ancient trees, forest nymphs, and other mythical creatures. And it’s true: truffles emit aromas of another world.

What’s in a Scent?

The smell of truffles attracts not just the most enthusiastic gourmands on the planet but all kinds of creatures, too – from flies, rodents, and squirrels, down to the famous truffle-sniffing pigs and dogs.

Susan with dog sniffing for truffles

German researchers discovered that truffles contain twice as much androstenol (a male pig hormone) as male pigs would normally have, making female pigs the ideal truffle hunting buddies: she detects a sexy smell, she’s driven wild, she dives right in, she digs frantically. But then she’s also inclined to eat her find; in walks the other group of professional truffle hunters, dogs. Dogs are sometimes preferred to take over truffle detection duties. And just how are they trained? Their humans smear new potatoes with truffle oil, which contains dimethyl sulphide – one of truffles’ most important aroma molecules, bury them in the garden, give their dogs the smell, and tell the dogs to find them.

Interesting stuff, really, but what about us? Why do we find truffles arousing?

The Sensual Appeal

Besides being the “diamonds of the gourmet world,” truffles have also been dubbed as the culinary counterpart of sex. Napoleon’s only legitimate son is thought to have been conceived after munching on a truffled turkey, while women throughout history are said to have fed their lovers truffles to rouse their desires. Could it be because of the flavor? Maybe. Then again, there’s androstenone, the human pheromone present in truffles, which contributes to its overwhelming aroma, which then often becomes the flavor itself.

Me with the French truffle orchard owners.

You pick one up, feel its weight in your palm, give it a very thorough sniff, and — if you’re lucky to have a good one – it will emit a scent of incredible intensity that’s hard to describe. Sure, they’re earthy, and garlicky but truffles’ hints of exotic flowers and the finest of mushrooms are just as impossible to ignore. Their scent help lift up flavors when cooked with other ingredients, enhance the texture of every single bite, and leave a lingering aftertaste.

Now you don’t have to be a gourmet cook or a professional foodie to appreciate the sexy scent of truffles; you just have to be adventurous and a tad experimental with preparing truffle specials because the only way to know, really, is to experience truffles yourself!

Try our Truffled Grilled Cheese Sandwich to get started (it comes with a free truffled popcorn – aka “Charlie’s Truffled Popcorn”)! Or if you want to do some cooking, grab my truffle recipes here. You can learn more about truffles’ aphrodisiac status, too, by watching the video below.

The post Truffle Sniffing: What Truffles Smell Like appeared first on Susan Alexander Truffles.

You’re probably thinking: they grow underground, they’re warty, and they look nowhere near attractive. So how can a mere fungus get a lot of people all hot and bothered?

Well, there are three things from which truffles derive their aphrodisiac status:

Rarity

As fungi with a symbiotic relationship to tree roots, it’s no surprise that they’re only found in a smattering of places around the world. Their rarity, and most especially, their short season, easily warrant a spot among the most elusive, luxury food items worth desiring for.

Scent

Truffles’ musky scent – though yet to be confirmed by modern science – is believed to replicate the male pheromone, androstenone. While the human nose is not equipped for detecting these culinary gems growing underground, it’s an entirely different story for the natural truffle hunters, the female pigs: they get a whiff and they go loco!

Protein

Truffles don’t rank among the world’s most healthy indulgences for nothing. For one, they’re high in protein; and for two, they have a high concentration of amino acid. Science has yet to have a say on whether or not these things account for truffles’ aphrodisiac properties, but hey, a few shavings of delectable goodness atop ravioli or practically any dish don’t hurt their knack for making the heart flutter and helping sustain the energy for a romantic night out.

Now there sure is more to truffles’ allure than a musky scent or a trace of protein – and I guess this explains the surprisingly large number of first-hand accounts of romantic happenstances involving truffles. Napoleon, for one, feasted upon truffles to boost his masculine potency. And should you need further proof for truffles’ erotic attributes, think of the popular gourmand, Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin who’s quoted as saying:

“Truffle. As soon as the world is spoken, it awakens lustful and erotic memories among the skirt-wearing sex and erotic and lustful memories among the beard-wearing sex. This honorable parallelism comes not only from the fact that this esteemed tuber is delicious, but also because it is still believed to bring about potency, the exercise of which brings sweet pleasure.”

Keen to experience it yourself, aren’t ya? I would suggest that you first try the simple yet most loved Truffled Grilled Cheese Sandwich. Staying in for a lovey-dovey movie night? My Truffled Popcorn (previously known as Charlie’s Truffled Popcorn) Special’s have you covered!

Got fresh truffles?

The best way to appreciate truffles is to consume them as soon as possible. Then again, there’s plenty of ways to keep their aroma and taste fresh even a few days after picking:

1)      Wrap each truffle in fabric or paper without removing the earth.

2)      Make sure to change the wrap every day.

3)      Place them in a container, which should then go right into the fridge.

4)      Keep the container open to allow the truffles to breathe (anything stored near your truffles will sure take on their flavor!).

5)      Truffles going soft means truffles reaching maximum maturity. So when this happens, gobble them right up!

Now go forth and have that romantic bite! Otherwise, stick around for more truffle tips.

The post Romancing the Kitchen: Truffles as Aphrodisiac appeared first on Susan Alexander Truffles.