Truffles in the kitchen are … a sought-after myth

The world of truffles, by literature and tradition, has always been surrounded by an air of mystery which made it into a myth. The main characters – truffle hunters and traders – took it subjectively, by turning to the moon phases, the tricks and devices used by the “trifolao” (truffle hunter), the background of hills, valleys and October mist.

The truffle is one of the highest expressions of Italian cuisine, and not only. Very fragrant, heady, involving, for some people even aphrodisiac, the Alba White Truffle gives a touch of nobility to every course by enhancing simple dishes (best if shaved on fried eggs) and giving an original taste to recipes.

It is used all over the world now. It entered the Piedmontese cuisine out-of-the-way thanks to the chefs of the Savoy House who had grown up in the kitchens of French nobles. The truffle toured the world and conquered the trendiest tables at the four corners of the world. The voluptuary versatility, the unique capability of improving every course make the Tuber magnatum Pico undoubtedly special.

 

Shelf-life

After being taken out of the ground, truffles may last fresh for a very short time, depending on the variety, the maturation stage, the presence of larvae, and the method of preservation used. When the truffle starts losing consistency and gets soft, it is advisable to eat it right away.

Home preservation methods may allow to keep truffles fresh for some more days. They are better preserved in the fridge (with an optimum temperature which ranges from 0°C to 2°C and a relative humidity of 80%-85%) or in the freezer.

 

Preservation in paper

Take the fresh truffles without washing or clearing them, and wrap each of them in porous and absorbing paper (better if straw paper). Place the wrapped truffles in an hermetic glass jar by paying attention they are not too tight, and put it on the lower shelf of the fridge where the temperature is less cold. Replace the paper once a day, and dry the jar thoroughly.
In this way, truffles may be kept fresh for about fifteen days.

 

The environment of truffles