Truffles are one of the most expensive and sought-after ingredients in the culinary world.

Their unique flavor and aroma have made them a favorite among chefs and foodies alike.

But what about truffle oil?

This specialty ingredient has become increasingly popular in recent years, but what exactly is it?

In this blog post, we’ll explore the world of white truffle oil and discover why it’s become a must-have ingredient in any food lover’s pantry.

General facts about white truffle oil:

What is white truffle?

Truffles are tuber-shaped mushrooms that grow underground in symbiosis with the roots of arboreal plants.

The plant supplies the truffle with nutrients processed by photosynthesis, while the truffle’s fine filaments enable the roots to penetrate deeper into the soil.

Truffles are characterized by a penetrating, highly distinctive scent, and are used in gastronomy to prepare and finish dishes.

The most prized types of truffle are the precious white and the precious black.

The white truffle is considered the most precious type.

It is found almost exclusively in the central and northern regions of Italy and Istria.

Its flesh is smooth, yellowish or white, pinkish or light brownish.

It is particularly suitable for eating raw.

Some varieties, such as the Alba white truffle, are particularly precious and expensive.

White truffle oil is made from white truffles or flavored with white truffle flavor.

It has a sulfurous, pungent taste, with flavors comparable to garlic, onion, and other alliums, but diluted with a meaty, unmistakable mushroom flavor.

Methylthio is the chemical that gives white truffles their characteristic aroma.

When using any type of truffle oil, the most important thing to remember is that boiling damages the flavor, so it should only be used as a finishing oil.

White truffles have a milder, more delicate flavor and aroma than black truffles.

It is delicious poured over spaghetti, risotto, or any other lightly flavored dish.

Why white truffle is very expensive ?

Truffles have become synonymous with value and high costs.

Yet few people ask why the prices are so high. In reality, the answer is quite simple: truffles are very rare, and finding them involves a lot of time and expensive equipment.

Dogs are specially trained to find these underground mushrooms.

Prices can vary according to vintage.

Very wet and humid seasons facilitate truffle growth, while dry years mean fewer specimens and much higher prices.

Difference between white truffle and black truffle:

There are different varieties of truffles, including black and white, with different characteristics and properties.

The precious black truffle is considered in the culinary world as the “diamond at the table”, in gastronomy it is renowned for its flavor, texture, and aroma.

Many say you can’t define the taste of a black truffle if you haven’t tried it before.

This precious mushroom with its exquisite flavor is extremely difficult to grow and harvest.

The black truffle has a porous surface, hence the name truffle, which comes from the word “tuff”, whose porous consistency is similar to that of truffles.

The prized white truffle is very rare, found mainly in Italy and Croatia, and cannot be cultivated; it is found only in nature, so its value is higher than that of the black truffle.

Its texture is smooth and light ochre, with an interior tinged with reddish hues and white streaks.

White truffle oil health benefits:

The product is popular not only for its aroma but also for its beneficial properties.

The benefits are individual for each person:

• Both men and women nourish their bodies with the necessary pheromones and antioxidants by eating white truffles.
  Delicacy is a natural aphrodisiac that improves erectile and fertile function.
  Antioxidant properties prevent aging.
• Pregnant and breast-feeding women benefit from the protein content and B and PP vitamins in white truffles, without which the normal development of the baby’s nervous system is impossible.
• The elderly prevent the onset of cancer and the development of heart and blood vessel pathologies by using this product.
  The mushroom also helps absorb calcium and iron.
• Children should be included in the truffle diet gradually.
  The ideal age to start eating truffles is 3 to 5 years.
  To avoid problems, parents should take into account the condition of the child’s digestive system.
• Athletes can maintain muscle mass, nourish their bodies with vitamins B and C, boost immunity, and improve stamina to achieve high professional results using this mushroom.
• Delicacy can be consumed by patients suffering from diabetes, as it has a low glycemic index and contains no added sugar.
  However, it should not be consumed more than once a week.

Skin benefits:

The white truffle oil is a highly prized beauty ingredient.

Aesthetic physicians have confirmed its beneficial potential on the skin.

It can moisturize, rejuvenate, relax, remove unsightly spots, and repair skin damage.

It is even used to regenerate skin after scars, in the treatment of acne, and to soothe redness and erythema.

White truffle oil contains stimulating, relaxing, and nourishing amino acids that have a strong lifting effect.

It is also rich in essential amino acids such as lysine and methionine, which help revitalize and regenerate the skin.

The presence of linoleic acid and unsaturated fatty acids from truffles is ultra-moisturizing and counteracts skin aging, like a prodigious anti-aging serum.

Here is a list of the skin benefits you can get from white truffle oil:

• Promotes skin whitening and depigmentation.
• Slows age-related collagen destruction.
• Moisturizes the skin.
• Increases skin elasticity and firmness.
• Slows down the aging process.
• Activates protein and lipid metabolism.
• Helps fight deep wrinkles.

Precautions before consuming white truffle oil:

Truffles have many health benefits, but they also have certain contraindications that need to be taken into account.

• It is best avoided by those with a food allergy.
• Although cases of truffle poisoning are very rare, it is best avoided by gout sufferers, as truffles increase the production of uric acid and urea.
• People suffering from kidney stones should also avoid truffles, as the increase in urea overloads the kidneys and favors the onset of renal colic.
• Pregnant women should avoid eating raw truffles, as they can transmit toxoplasmosis, which alters the normal development of the fetus.
  However, once cooked, the danger disappears.
• Finally, people suffering from liver disease should also avoid truffles.

Using white truffle oil:

This oil is an excellent addition to any dish.

It’s less expensive than natural mushrooms, making it usable all year round.

What’s more, it allows chefs to greatly expand the list of dishes with truffle flavor and aroma without adding mushrooms.

The oil should be used sparingly.

You only need to add 1-2 drops to the dish to obtain a spicy aroma.

If you add more, you may spoil the taste.

This oil is widely used in soups, mashed potatoes, pasta, risotto, and pizzas, as well as in potato dishes, legumes, meat, and mushrooms.

For salads, truffle oil sauce is ideal.

Simply add lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to taste.

It’s best to add the oil to a pre-prepared dish, as it’s not suitable for frying.

Under the influence of high temperatures, its excellent aroma is lost.

What’s more, using such an expensive oil to fry meat or fish is quite costly.

Here is a short list of the recipes that go well with white truffle oil:

• Risotto.
• Scrambled eggs.
• Omelet.
• Classic carpaccio.
• Bruschetta – a slice of toasted bread sprinkled with natural olive oil and grated white truffle on top.
• Raw beef tartar.
• Mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes.
• Pasta.
• Roast veal.
• Fondue.

Making white truffle oil at home:

Truffle oil is a way of preserving the fragrance of truffles for longer.

Truffles are precious mushrooms with a short shelf life.

To prepare 400 ml of truffle oil, all you need is:

• 500 g of extra-virgin olive oil,
• A moderately fresh white truffle that’s moderately priced and a bottle with an airtight cap.

After brushing the truffle, cut it into strips with a grater and infuse it in the oil.

Leave to flavor for about two days before eating.

Storing white truffle oil:

All bottles of truffle oil should have the expiration date and storage instructions printed on them.

It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific oil.

If you store truffle oil unopened, it usually lasts between 8 and 12 months.

However, once the bottle is opened, the fragrance degrades rapidly.

Because the aroma is so important, truffle oil rapidly loses its strength.

Unless otherwise indicated on the label, truffle oil should be stored in a cool, dark place, out of direct sunlight.

It should not be stored in the refrigerator once opened.

If it is cooled too much, the oil becomes cloudy and its taste may change.

Truffle oil should never be stored in a heated environment, as heat considerably alters its flavor.