A truffle is a type of edible fungi that grows underground near the roots of certain trees, such as beech, poplar, or oak. They are often confused with mushrooms, but they have a distinct look that resembles a dark, small, lumpy rock or potato. Truffles are harvested by specially trained dogs or pigs that sniff out and dig up these delicacies. Although truffles can be cultivated, only a small percentage of todays supply is, and foraging remains the main harvest method. Truffles have a unique and intense flavor that is both earthy and mushroom-like. They are often used sparingly in dishes where they are the star of the show, such as pastas, risotto, eggs, creamy soups, potatoes, or chicken, or stirred into sauces. Heat is the enemy of truffles complex flavor and aroma, so they are mostly used raw as a finishing touch.
Truffle oil is a popular and more affordable alternative to fresh truffles. It is made by infusing olive oil with truffle flavor, either with real truffle or with a synthetic truffle flavor known as 2,4-dithiapentane. While purists may scoff at artificially flavored oil, this product is commonly used by restaurants and home cooks alike to give dishes a deep, satisfying flavor.
Truffles are a luxury food item that can be quite expensive due to their rarity and the difficulty of harvesting them. They grow worldwide, although most of those harvested in the wild come from Europe, notably Italy and France. While you can find some truffles all year-round, the truffle season often happens in fall and winter.
