The diamond of cookery, fragrant nugget and black pearl – anyone interested in food will know a little bit about the black truffle. This intruging and delectable food is known around the world as the height of gourmet luxury.
Everyone knows that black truffles are found in the soil by specially trained pigs and other animals with a keen sense of smell, but there is far more to them than that. Read our five facts below to learn a little bit more about this exquisite natural product.
1. The best black truffles come from France
French black truffles are the most highly rated both historically and currently, particularly those that come from the Perigord, a part of the Dordogne region in Southwest France. They are truly at their best in the months of January and February when the aroma of earthy rich chocolate is at its finest. French winter truffles are sometimes called the ‘Diamonds of Perigord’ in honour of the high quality of truffles found in the area. Perigord truffles are also amongst the rarest type.
2. Truffles have been both revered and feared through history
The exclusivity of truffles as a food product is not a modern phenomenon; the ancient Babylonians and Egyptians used them in their highest quality dishes, only to be eaten by powerful people and Pharaohs. The ancient Greeks revered them as a luxury too, believing truffles were created by lightning striking the soil. They introduced truffles to the Romans, where they became classed as an aphrodisiac and were taken to increase sexual pleasure. Upon the fall of the Roman Empire, truffles became a guarded and unknown substance for about 1,000 years, as many believed they caused the decadent extravagance of the Romans and therefore the collapse of the empire.
Medieval monks were forbidden to eat truffles, for fear that the aphrodisiac in the food would cause them to forget their holy calling and give in to the powers of the flesh.
The decadence of the Renaissance brought truffles back into the dining rooms of the famous and the rich, and by the 1800s they were being used regularly in cooking in some sections of the world. Production of the truffle was at its highest in the late 19th century until the First World War.
3. Truffles grow from a host tree
Technically, truffles are mushrooms. They grow amongst the root system of a host tree, using sugars from the tree to grow. In return, the tree receives phosphorus from the truffle. Only certain trees are suitable for truffles to grow; primarily oak trees, but also beech, hazelnut, chestnut, birch and poplar.
4. Truffles secrete a male pheromone
Female pigs are traditionally used to hunt down truffles as the smell of the truffle is very similar to that of a male pig’s pheromones, which attracts the female to them. Unfortunately, the truffles can easily be eaten by the pig; so many rabassiers (French truffle hunters) now use specially trained truffle dogs instead.
5. The largest Black Truffle weighed in at 1.3kg
Most black truffles weigh around 100g, but in January 2012 a 1.3kg black truffle went for sale in Southwest France. Truffle prices generally are 1,000 Euros per kg currently.
Conclusion
Black truffles are a fascinating and highly sought after food product adored by many around the world often finding their way into some of the finest establishments in the world (including restaurants at some of the best 5 star luxury hotels). The interesting past is almost as much of a lure as the sweet taste of a black truffle itself.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3159385/Truffles-facts.html
http://www.enjoyfoiegras.com/info/black_truffles_perigord.html
http://www.paristempo.com/truffle2.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truffle
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2087061/Worlds-biggest-black-P-rigord-truffle-goes-goes-sale-France.html
Photo Credit: Kjunstorm
License: Creative Commons image source
Tom is a freelance travel writer who specialises in food discovery.