Truffles: the culinary black diamonds

Truffles are among the most sought after foods. Gourmands all over the world refer to them as “black diamonds” not only because they are extracted from beneath the surface of the earth, but also due to their price (the rarest and best of them can be sold at 6 to 8 thousand dollars per kilo). What makes them so expensive and valuable is a combination of rarity, difficulty of collection, their nutritional value, dazzling aroma and delicate flavor. Since the days of antiquity truffles have also been highly prized for their aphrodisiac properties but all delicacies tend to rank among the aphrodisiac properties after a while. Not that anyone ever needed an excuse to devour this treat.

These subterranean mushrooms grow within the living roots of certain trees (mostly chestnuts, oaks, hazels and beech trees).

THE HISTORY
The history of these legendary black diamonds is filled with mystery and superstitions. Egyptians ate them coated in goose fat, the Greeks believed they came from the ground after lightnings struck the earth. According to a legend, a farmer spotted his pig digging at the root of a tree, eating some peculiar mushrooms it had unearthed. Since, the pig remained healthy, the farmer decided to try the mushrooms himself and realized that his infertility was cured, leading to having thirteen children!

There is something about the nature of truffles that have captivated people for over a thousand years. Perhaps it is the dazzling, irresistible aroma that continues to draw generation after generation to this delicacy. The history of these black pearls of the Earth is often filled with mystery, superstition and, at one time, damnation.
This subterranean mushroom is found within the living roots of chestnut, oak, hazel, and beech trees. The word truffle comes from the Latin word “tuber”, which means outgrowth. It dates back to as early as the ancient Egyptians, who held truffles in high esteem and ate them coated in goose fat. A myth surrounded this gourmet entrée when people believed they came from the ground after lightening struck the Earth. According to a legend, a farmer spotted his pig digging at the root of a tree, eating the mushrooms that it found. Upon seeing that the pig remained healthy, the farmer tried the mushrooms himself. Afterwards, his inability to have a child with his wife resulted in them having thirteen children. Many soon felt that there was a supernatural quality to t ruffles, and saw them as God’s gift to humanity. The Greeks and Romans used them for therapeutic purposes, feeling that they gave eternal health to the body and soul. Truffles were also seen has having exotic qualities in its aroma and flavor, making it more popular among the noble classes.
THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD OF TRUFFLES
Throughout the middle Ages, truffles virtually disappeared from sight. This is because at one time, the church felt that because of their exotic aroma, truffles were the creation of the devil. They were sometimes known as the “witch’s fares”, and for centuries, few people ate or sold them. During the Renaissance, truffles made a comeback through the reign of Louis XIV, who not only saved them from obscurity, but also pushed them into the forefront of one of Europe’s most respected dish. The king was fascinated by the nature of truffles and set out to cultivate them, which proved to be unsuccessful.
By the mid-1800s, the truffle experienced its largest production to date. Over 2,000 tons of truffles appeared throughout Europe. This age of abundance and wealth did not last long. After World War I, many of the rural lands were destroyed and the growth of truffles lowered dramatically. It reached its lowest by the 1960s, producing less than 400 tons. Recently, the production of truffles has once again risen. Scientists throughout Europe have been trying to understand how such mushrooms can be produced and have tried to grow their own truffles.

It is difficult to sometimes find truffles due to the fact that they spring up spontaneously in the roots of certain trees. They are found mostly in spring, rarely coming out in cold temperatures. In the past, farmers would search the woods, bring pegs to sniff and dig for them. Nowadays, dogs are used to track down truffles. According to many of these “truffle hunters”, you can tell if any are near by the movement of certain flies in the air. The most common truffles are black. Other varieties include gray and white truffles.

The increasing scarcity of truffles led of course to a spike in truffle prices, and even today these unique foodstuffs remain very much a luxury item. Even though the commercial cultivation of truffles has returned, these unique, delicate and highly flavorful mushrooms will always remain a very special treat.

THE APPEAL OF TRUFFLES
While there are many unique foods in the world, there are some foods that have an undeniable mystique. For some of these foods, this mystique derives from their unique flavors, while for other foods the appeal is one of rarity and prestige. For truffles, there is a multifaceted appeal, stemming not only from the fact that these culinary items are so rare and hard to come by, but also from the unique flavor and storied history they bring – quite literally – to the table.

The appeal of truffles brings to mind many fascinating pictures, including truffle hunters waking before dawn in the search for these elusive treats. The very nature of the truffle is steeped in mystery, and this mysterious culinary treat has been revered for centuries. The scent of the truffle is one of the things that makes it so special, and many people feel that the scent and flavor of the truffle is a powerful aphrodisiac. But whether they have romantic qualities or not, these unique items are worthy of special consideration in the gastronomical world.

One of the most unique aspects of this revered and highly flavorful fungus is the way in which it is harvested. As they grow, truffles give off a special scent that is impossible for humans to detect but irresistible to boars. Specially trained pigs have long been used to search for and harvest truffles, although in the modern world highly trained dogs are often used in place of the boars.

Once those truffles are harvested, they can be used in a wide variety of special dishes, ranging from appetizers to main courses to even desserts. The rarity of truffles and the difficulties encountered when harvesting them means that these special mushrooms are very much a specialty item – and an expensive one at that. But as with everything, truffle prices vary quite a bit, any many people love to give themselves a special treat by preparing a home cooked meal with fresh truffles. Whether you choose white truffles or black truffles, you are sure to enjoy this sensual and magnificent treat.

For those who are as interested in preserving their figures as in enjoying one of the world’s best treats, the good news is that truffles are surprisingly nutritious. Truffles are very low in fat, and they have a high mineral content as well. In fact truffles are particularly good sources of magnesium and calcium, two of the important building blocks of bone health. So you can enjoy these special treats without guilt, knowing that these special treats are as good for you as they are delicious.