TRUFFLE (SAINIK'S STORY)

Truffle  is a fruiting  body of a fungus ,which is a multicellular microorganism. There are two types of fruiting bodies of fungi :the one that grow above the ground called ‘mushroom’ and the ones that grow deep into the ground known as ‘truffle’. Truffles grow in wild habitats and special sows (female pigs) are reared to sniff them out of the ground. The pungent odor that the truffle emits is quite similar to that of the boar (male pig) and that is the reason why sows are used for this purpose. Truffle is one of the most expansive commodities that was first used in cooking by a famous French gastronome Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin who described truffles as the ‘diamonds of the kitchen’.   

   

Just like mushrooms, not all truffle are edible and that is one reason why these are expensive. Truffle grow in parts of the world. The famous edible ones come from France, Italy, Croatia, and Greece. These also grow in few parts of the USA and North Africa. Each variety of truffle differs in shape, color, size, as well as flavor. Truffles have irregular shapes and may at times be smooth or wrinkled. They can be used in a variety of ways.They are commonly paired with Foie Gras(Foie Gras is specialty food product made of the liver of a Duck and Goose) to prepare  highly priced Pates and terrines. It can also be shaved onto pasta and salad. Truffle is usually served uncooked and its packed in oil preservation. Truffle oil is obtained by flavoring high grade olive oil with synthetic flavors. It is usually a cheaper option than expensive truffles.

• There is a Variety of Edible Truffles Avaiilable around the World.Some popular ones are Described Below.

Types of Truffle

TRUFFLE	DESCRIPTION	PHOTOGHAPS
Italian White Truffle	Italian white Truffle grow commonly in Umbria,Alba or Piedmont regions of Italy.It’s one of the highly priced Truffles at the Gastronomic table as it is the rarerst form of Truffles.It’s commonly knowns as White Diamond.The Truffle is more Yellowish in color and the skin is smoother than White Truffles.The white Truffle are also harvested during winter and summer months and the flavor of both these Truffles is very different from each other.
Winter Black Truffle	Winter Black Truffles Known as “Perigord”,black truffle is harvested during the months November to March  in the Perigord Region in France and hence the name. It’s grow in Italy,Spain and France,Where it’s  usually found under Oak,Hazelnut,and Chestnut Trees.The truffles gets its name from the region that it is harvested from ,such as Burgundy Truffle and Alsace Truffle.
Summer Black Truffle	The summer Black Truffles are hervested around summer months and the color of these is usually deep brown as compared to The Winter Truffles.

CHEF'S TIP :-  Keep a fresh Truffle, in its jar of rice, in the refrigerator, but use within a few days of purchase, or the truffle will dry out and lose fragrance. Canned and jarred truffles, truffle paste and truffle oil will keep indefinitely in a cool, dark place. Refrigerate them after opening.