The delightfully bold umami flavor of truffles clings to each kernel and creates a one-of-a-kind sensation when you pop them in your mouth. It’s an elevated profile that could comfortably ride alongside a classy cheese plate at your holiday soirée.
The Infertile Farmer and his Happy Pig’s Discovery
Once upon a time, there was a poor infertile farmer who wanted nothing more than to have a child to cherish with his beloved wife. One day a horrible storm came, and lightning struck the ground near the farm, blinding the farmer and his wife and scaring the animals to a stampede, breaking their fence and allowing the animals to run free. After the storm, the farmer went to collect his herd when he saw the happiest little pig munching on a rock? The farmer discovered it was not a rock, but some sort of food. Seeing how happy this little tuber made the pig, the farmer took a bite. It was delicious! It was God’s gift to him! He then had 13 kids and they all lived happily ever after tending their farm and eating truffles!
Truffles were worshiped by the Greeks and Romans. They were exotic, aromatic, therapeutic and, after giving someone 13 kids, some might say an aphrodisiac! This led to the church in the middle ages to believe truffles were the work of the devil, making this alluring food even more forbidden. Since then, truffles have had their ups and downs, being favored by some monarchs and condemned by others. The bombings of rural lands during WWI certainly destroyed much of the habitat of truffles, plummeting their availability. Today, they are still quite rare, and considered a delicacy in some areas. But as we learn to love fungi, the truffle has become quite the comeback kid and can now be enjoyed in a variety of delectable products. Their flavor is quite unique, a little nutty, very earthy and can be quite subtle but hard to miss.
What are Truffles?
There are three main types of truffles: white (like a potato), black (like dung balls) and burgundy (like black raspberries). Truffles can be prepared in a variety of ways including simply grating a truffle over scrambled eggs. The Telegraph recommends truffles as one of the 25 things to eat before you die; specifically, they recommend the Alba white truffle from Italy. Bucket List Journey also places these underground fungi as number two in their “foodie” musts. So if its not already, definitely go add truffles to your own list! These truffles grow in forests mostly associated with chestnut, oak, hazel and beech trees. Italy, France and Oregon in the U.S. are probably the best places to harvest the black gems. Today, we have truffle sniffing dogs and female pigs to help locate these hidden black pearls of the forest! They smell them out and start digging, but you have to act quick because pigs looooove them as much as people do. The reason females are used is due to the fact that truffles give off a similar small as male pigs, hope that does not make them less appealing. Dogs may be the more favorable animal to use as they are more delicate and probably dont want to eat it.
New Trader Joe’s Find: White Truffle POPCORN?
FAQ
What is truffle popcorn made of?
Does truffle taste good?
Is truffle salt good on popcorn?