What are truffles?!
The more common type is made of chocolate, often mixed with other flavors, rolled into a ball and covered often with powdered sugar, though there are actually hundreds of variations.
The other type, as the guy above me answered, is a fungus, slightly similar to a mushroom, but ultimately much more rare, expensive and complex in flavor. That type of truflle has 2 varieties; white & black.
Black are less expensive than the white, and often come from Italy. They are considered inferior to the white truffle, which often come from France. In either case they are about the size of a walnut or a tad smaller. They grow under the ground, so farmers use pigs (known for their keen sense of smell) to find their location and root them up out of the ground.
Given how they grow, they are pretty much only cultivated in the wild, as opposed to being farm raised like most mushrooms these days. That also adds to the cost. You can expect to pay $50 or more for a fresh truffle.
Whole truffles are usually only found fresh, in the produce or specialty section of high end grocery stores, and usually only the the Fall in the US.
You can find dried variations, which leave a lot to be desired compared to fresh, and you can also find truffle oil, which is usually olive or canola oil infused with truffle essence. That is a great way to experience the complex, pungent flavor of a truffle year round.
Truffles and truffle oil are expensive, but you don't need a lot. Try it in risotto, in scrambled eggs, with roasted meats, etc.
Answers: actually there are 2 completely different things called truffles, and the other answerers gave either one or the other, but not both.
The more common type is made of chocolate, often mixed with other flavors, rolled into a ball and covered often with powdered sugar, though there are actually hundreds of variations.
The other type, as the guy above me answered, is a fungus, slightly similar to a mushroom, but ultimately much more rare, expensive and complex in flavor. That type of truflle has 2 varieties; white & black.
Black are less expensive than the white, and often come from Italy. They are considered inferior to the white truffle, which often come from France. In either case they are about the size of a walnut or a tad smaller. They grow under the ground, so farmers use pigs (known for their keen sense of smell) to find their location and root them up out of the ground.
Given how they grow, they are pretty much only cultivated in the wild, as opposed to being farm raised like most mushrooms these days. That also adds to the cost. You can expect to pay $50 or more for a fresh truffle.
Whole truffles are usually only found fresh, in the produce or specialty section of high end grocery stores, and usually only the the Fall in the US.
You can find dried variations, which leave a lot to be desired compared to fresh, and you can also find truffle oil, which is usually olive or canola oil infused with truffle essence. That is a great way to experience the complex, pungent flavor of a truffle year round.
Truffles and truffle oil are expensive, but you don't need a lot. Try it in risotto, in scrambled eggs, with roasted meats, etc.
An edible fungus or it can be confectionery
http://www.efoodies.co.uk/icat/truffles
A chocolate sweet with soft chocolate in the middle.
Truffles are a growth related to mushrooms with a strong flavour.
A type of mushrooms, there are white ones and black ones.
Rare or expensive funghi.
Here's the answer:
http://www.mssf.org/cookbook/truffles.ht...
Truffle
Subterranean, edible ascomycetous fungi of the genus Tuber. Found anywhere from 2 to 15 inches below the ground, usually in a circular formation about 4 to 5 feet from the base of an oak tree. A number of varieties exist.
Black Truffles, of Perigord and Lot are highly esteemed as the absolute finest in the world. "Truffle" oaks are also found in areas of France including Dauphine, Burgundy and Normandy, but these are all inferior in quality, with a less delicate aroma and taste.
White Truffles are found in Piedmont, and have a slightly
garlic flavor.
Hope this helps. enjoy.
Forest fungi going at about $80/lb. (last I heard) as a food delicacy. If you're looking for a REALLY FUN GUY, call me. Never mind. My spouse was looking over my shoulder. SCRATCH ALL!
IT'S MORE OF A potato than a mushroom you usually shred it over the main dish very expensive and strong flavored