What Is a Truffle?


     
     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHk-jeCDB10

     Truffles are a kind of subterranean fungi, meaning they are a
     mushroom that grows underground. Most commonly found in Europe,
     Asia, North American, and North Africa, truffles tend to grow in
     forested areas around the base of trees. Truffles are still hunted
     by pigs, which is the traditional way to find them, but these days
     more and more dogs are being recruited for the job as they can be
     trained to not eat the little prizes.
     
     What Kinds of Truffles Are There?
     There are two kinds of truffles that are most popular in the
     cooking world: black and white truffles.
     
     Tuber Melanosporum

     Tuber melanosporum, or the black truffle, is a variety that was
     originally found in the Perigord region of southwest France. The
     black truffle is commonly used in all sorts of dishes, such as
     foie gras and soups. It is also turned into a luscious oil that
     can be drizzled over almost anything to enhance its flavor and
     provide a luxuriously rich taste.
     
     A cold-weather fungus, black truffles can be found growing under
     oak trees from September to December. This tasty little morsel can
     sell for as much as $400 a pound.
     
     
     Tuber Magnatum

     Tuber magnatum, or the white truffle, is an Italian mushroom. This
     variety was originally found in the Piedmont region of northern
     Italy, in the countryside around Alba. While there are other
     similar white truffles found in Italy, those from Piedmont are
     considered more aromatic, and therefore fetch a substantially
     higher price - Alba white truffles can sell for as much as $2200 a
     pound!
     
     White truffles can be found growing in the vicinity of oak, hazel,
     poplar, and beech trees, usually in the autumn and winter months.
     They are used in a variety of dishes, such as risotto and seafood,
     and can be turned into flavored oil just like their French
     counterparts.
     
     What Do Truffles Taste Like?

     While all truffles have an earthy flavor, each kind has its own
     distinct taste and fragrance; white truffles have a creamier
     taste, while black truffle are known for their woody notes. If you
     are interested in experimenting with truffles, you should consider
     picking up a bottle of truffle oil. There is nothing quite like
     the taste of a truffle, and even a light dab of truffle oil can
     take a dish to new heights.
     
     Not All “Truffles” Are Edible
     
     This kind of truffle is actually a mushroom!
     There are many different subterranean mushrooms that closely
     resemble the kinds prized by cooks, but not all of them are
     edible. In fact, some are poisonous! Hunting for mushrooms is
     something that should not be undertaken lightly – do not eat any
     mushrooms that you find unless they have been checked by an
     experienced mushroom gatherer or professional mycologist. If you
     are serious about learning about the different types of mushrooms
     available in your area, consider taking a class or joining a local
     mushroom gathering group. This is not an area in which to push
     your luck! Every year hundreds of people die or are permanently
     injured due to consumption of toxic mushrooms.
     
     Chocolate Truffles Are Edible...But Are Not Mushrooms
     Not to be confused with their savory fungal counterparts,
     chocolate truffles are also a highly prized treat. Chocolate
     truffles share nothing with their mushroom counterparts except
     their approximate size, shape and the appreciation of gourmands.
     If you are interested in making chocolate truffles, here is a
     recipe for chocolate cheesecake truffles.

     http://gourmet.lovetoknow.com/What_Is_a_Truffle