Everything You Need to Know about Truffles

Are you fond of eating mushrooms? If so, truffles must be one of your favorites. Most truffle mushrooms have pungent aroma and strong flavor, making them ideal ingredients or side dishes. Want to know more about them? Read on and discover interesting facts about truffle mushrooms.

What Exactly Are They?

Well, here’s the science behind growing truffle mushrooms. They grow underground, which means they are not exposed to open air. Instead, they live near the roots of certain trees in the wild. And since they grow underneath the ground, they cannot disperse spores on their own through air. They rather depend on animals that feed on them to spread their spores.

What Do They Look Like?

A truffle is not your typical mushroom that looks like an open umbrella. Instead, truffle mushrooms look like wrinkled potato or coal. Their sizes vary from that of a marble, golf ball, or a human fist. They also come in different colors, most of which are black, brown, and white.

Are They Poisonous?

Practically all truffle mushrooms are safe to eat, though only a few varieties are used as delicacies. The edible part of the mushroom is just the fruit of the fungus, not the entirety of it. What you must be wary about when hunting truffle mushrooms is the false truffle type, which is not safe for human consumption. It can be tricky because this mushroom resembles the real ones.  

How Are They Located?

Finding truffle mushrooms is like looking for needle in a haystack. It’s that difficult. You need a great deal of patience and a little luck to be able to find a truffle. In America, people locate truffle mushrooms using a simple garden rake. If you can find something yellowish, beige, or reddish brown that resembles a potato, you might be just lucky because that’s a truffle! For many centuries, dogs and pigs have been trained to hunt truffle mushrooms. Their distinct ability to sense the strong smell of these mushrooms makes these animals a perfect fit for the hunting job. 

Where Can They be Found?

Elusive as they may seem, truffle mushrooms are not a monopoly of one area. They are in fact located in almost any forest. As long as there are trees such as oak and hazelnut, you have a good chance of finding a truffle. You can dig truffles about 1 to 6 inches deep within mineral soil and organic litter. They can be harvested all year round, depending on the area and truffle species. 

How Are They Prepared for Cooking?

Of course, you have to clean a truffle first before cooking it. Usually, it is washed with water and then brushed to get rid of soil deposits. Make sure that its covering is clean because you are not supposed to peel it. Once it’s clean, wipe it dry using a paper towel. 

How Are They Cooked?

Truffles are traditionally eaten raw. You can grate, slice, or scrape them and add them into any dish, soup, or sauce for a stronger and richer flavor.
