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what is an italian white truffle

by Lillian Leannon DVM Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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White Truffles ( Tuber Magnatum Pico) are also known as White Alba Truffles and they come from the northern region of Italy, typically Piedmont. Known as the diamonds of the culinary world, White Truffles are prized all over the world for their pungent aroma and distinct flavor.

Where to buy white truffles?

The report includes key statistics on the market position of the top White Truffle Oil players, as well as key market trends and opportunities. The study offers a list of strategic initiatives undertaken by organisations in recent years, as well as those anticipated in the near future.

Where to buy white truffle?

The truffles market report is segmented by Product (black truffles, white truffles, and others) and Geography (APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and MEA). APAC will be the leading region with 35% of the market's growth during the forecast period. China is the key market for truffles in APAC.

What is white truffle oil and how is it used?

Top 10 Uses for Truffle Oil:

  1. Use truffle oil to enhance the flavor of fresh truffles. ...
  2. Make truffle oil vinaigrette. Use a teaspoon or two of truffle oil combined with olive oil, lemon juice or vinegar, salt, pepper, and dijon mustard.
  3. Drizzle truffle oil over potatoes, pasta, polenta or risotto. ...
  4. Pizza with truffle oil. ...
  5. Eggs and truffle oil. ...

More items...

Where are white truffles found?

Photo by Xinhua/Xie Ziyi. Chinese researchers have discovered two new species of white truffle in southwest China's Yunnan Province, according to the Kunming Institute of Botany under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, informed The Xinhua News Agency.

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What does Italian white truffle taste like?

White truffles also taste earthy, pungent, and musky, but are a bit spicier and more intense with notes of garlic. Never cook white truffles, as heat will destroy the flavor.

What is an Italian truffle?

What are Italian truffles? Truffles are known in Italy as 'tartufo'. The origin of this is the Latin word 'tuber', which describes a lump. They are far more like subterranean mushrooms than potatoes, however, growing beneath the surface close to tree roots.

What are Italian truffles made of?

Truffles are edible fungi or tubers that grow underground. They're similar to mushrooms in that they are a form of fungi, but not exactly the same. Mushrooms actually grow above the ground.

Why is white truffle expensive?

Pound for pound, truffle is one of the most expensive foods you can buy. The reason behind such high costs is the scarcity of the produce, truffles are seasonal, extremely difficult to grow and take many years to cultivate. They also have a short shelf life.

Where do Italian white truffles grow?

White truffle season is from September to December when they grow wild in the forests around Alba, a small Piemontese township. In particular, they grow deep in the forests of Langhe, a fertile area in Piemonte perfectly situated between the Tanaro and Po Rivers and the Alps and Apennine mountain ranges.

How much do Italian white truffles cost?

around $4,500 a pound“Right now, white truffle prices are around $4,500 a pound,” says Vittorio Giordano, vice president of Urbani Truffles USA, who's sourcing his white truffles mostly from Italy. “In 2019 they were $1,100 to $1,200 a pound.”

Are white truffles expensive?

One thing is crystal clear, though: They're expensive. Prices vary depending on the market, but white truffles can cost $4,000 per pound, and black truffles, like the ones shown above, can cost anywhere from $300 to $800 per pound. Why do these lumpy, strange-looking tubers command such a price?

Is a white truffle a mushroom?

As we said, the truffle is a type of fungus; however, don't confuse it with the mushrooms that you can fry, boil, or bake. The cooking process destroys the truffle's characteristic flavor and aroma that render it a delicacy.

How do you eat white truffles?

Most traditional uses for white truffles involve shaving them very finely, either with a special truffle shaver, a mandoline or a very sharp knife, and eating them raw, sprinkled over fresh fettuccine with butter and Parmesan, scrambled eggs or a plain risotto.

Are truffles healthy?

Truffles are a great source of antioxidants, compounds that help fight free radicals and prevent oxidative damage to your cells. Studies show that antioxidants are important to many aspects of your health and may even be linked to a lower risk of chronic conditions, such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes ( 2 ).

What does a truffle taste like?

Generalizing what truffles taste like is not an easy task, but they do contain the earthiness and musky/meaty/gamy flavor of some popular above ground mushrooms. When describing truffles some would say they taste like they smell: oaky, nutty and earthy, sweet and juicy with stinging savory notes like black olives.

Do truffles grow in the US?

Today, there are a few dozen farms across the country that are cultivating truffles. Many are in predictably forested corners of California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and North Carolina.

Italian Truffle: Here is where you can find it!

Where do Italian truffles grow? As for truffles Italy has several areas involved in the hunting for white truffles, including Marche, Lazio and Irpinia.

Alba White Truffle

Its scientific name is “Tuber Magnatum Pico”. It is also called white precious truffle as it is considered the rarest, most fragrant and qualitatively important white truffle.

Black Truffle

Its scientific name is “Tuber Melanosporum” (meaning black spores). What is a black truffle? It is a mushroom that matures during winter, so that black truffle season runs from mid-November to mid-March.

The Scorzone

This Italian truffle can be found in Umbria, Piedmont, Trentino Alto Adige and Basilicata as it easily adapts to different types of soils.

Black Uncinato Truffle

Tuber Uncinatum Chatin has got a rough black rind with a warty appearance and hook-like protrusions. Internally, its clear and branched white veins on dark background are surprising, indicating complete ripening.

Moscato Truffle

Small in size, Tuber Brumale V. Moscatum is not a well known species, but it has on its side a peculiar strong smell of musk and a strong taste that make it an excellent Italian truffle.

Brumale Truffle

This Italian truffle is called “winter black truffle”. It is almost entirely similar to Moscato truffle, apart from its scent that recalls that of a turnip. Brumale truffle differs from Black Truffle for its greyish colour, large and evident internal veins, as well as for its perfume.

Distribution

It is found mainly in the Langhe and Montferrat areas of the Piedmont region in northern Italy and, most famously, in the countryside around the cities of Alba and Asti.

Habitat

Growing symbiotically with oak, hazel, poplar and beech and fruiting in autumn, they can reach 12 cm (5 in) diameter and 500 g, though are usually much smaller. The flesh is pale cream or brown with white marbling.

Commercialisation

Italian white truffles are very highly esteemed and are the most valuable on the market. The white truffle market in Alba is busiest in the months of October and November when the Fiera del Tartufo (truffle fair) takes place. In 2001, T.

Current Facts

Italian White Winter truffles, botanically classified as Tuber magnatum Pico, are a rare underground fruiting body valued for its robust aroma, belonging to the Tuberaceae family. The wild truffle has been naturally growing for thousands of years and is one of the few truffle species that cannot be commercially cultivated.

Nutritional Value

Italian White Winter truffles are not traditionally viewed as a nutritional source as they are used sparingly in culinary dishes, but they have been known to contain low amounts of fiber to regulate the digestive tract, calcium and phosphorus to strengthen bones and teeth, and vitamin C to boost the immune system.

Applications

Italian White Winter truffles are valued by chefs for their robust aroma and delicate flavor. It is important to note that Italian White Winter truffles should be used fresh as the truffle’s scent, comprised of volatile compounds, is destroyed when cooked.

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Italian White Winter Truffles. One is easiest, three is harder.

What are Italian truffles?

Truffles are known in Italy as ‘ tartufo ’. The origin of this is the Latin word ‘tuber’, which describes a lump. They are far more like subterranean mushrooms than potatoes, however, growing beneath the surface close to tree roots. Usually, they are found at a depth of around 5 to 30 centimeters underground.

Where can you find truffles in Italy?

Italy is one of the world’s main truffle producers, and a number of truffle fairs are held throughout the country each year.

Truffle Hunting

Truffles are found and foraged by specially trained animals – usually dogs or pigs – who literally sniff them out. Truffle hunters take the animals to search areas where truffles are known to grow. Called tartufaia, these areas are a closely guarded secrets where only locals know where to find the natural delicacy.

Truffle season in Italy

Knowing when the truffle season happens in Italy is all important, as the best way to eat truffles is as soon as they are removed from the ground. This makes foraging for and eating truffles a truly unique experience to include on your Italian itinerary.

Eating truffles

Once they are out of the ground, truffles need to be prepared and eaten quickly. That’s why the best approach is to eat them when you are in Italy. Despite every best effort, truffles (especially the prized white variety) do not travel well.

Where will you try Italian truffles?

Whether you’re visiting an area famed for truffle production or not, sampling this delicacy is a must when you visit Italy. Learning all about this fascinating foodstuff can be just as much of a discovery as tasting it, too.

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1.The truth about Italy’s white truffles - BBC Travel

Url:https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20180108-the-truth-about-italys-white-truffles

5 hours ago  · The Alba White Truffle Fair is the place where this Italian truffle from Langhe, Monferrato and Roero finds the exposure it deserves. IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER the Alba White Truffle fair hosts the Alba White Truffle World Market, an ideal place to buy fine (and precious) Piedmontese truffles selected by Experts in Alba White Truffle Sensory Analysis, …

2.Italy Truffle - All about Italian Truffle & Where to Find It

Url:https://www.italiadelight.it/what-are-italian-truffles-all-about-italian-truffle/?lang=en

12 hours ago  · White truffles, which are native to northern Italy, are truly a delicacy. They have a more pungent, aromatic flavor. Since they're so rare and their flavor is so intense, white truffles are usually enjoyed raw and sparingly. You'll often find them shaved over elegant dishes (such as pastas and risottos) or used as a garnish.

3.What are White Truffles? | D'Artagnan

Url:https://www.dartagnan.com/white-truffles-recipes-and-uses.html

33 hours ago White Truffles ( Tuber Magnatum Pico) are also known as White Alba Truffles and they come from the northern region of Italy, typically Piedmont. Italian white truffles are a delicate and rare type of edible mushroom mostly grown in Italy.

4.Tuber magnatum - Wikipedia

Url:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuber_magnatum

1 hours ago The Italian White Truffle The white truffle– tuber magnatum pico –grows in specific areas of Italy, particularly Piedmont, Tuscany and Umbria. While the attention of the food press has always been more focused on Piedmont (indeed there are so called Tuscan cookbooks which list “Piedmontese” truffles in the ingredients), this attention is mainly due to the fact that the …

5.What Is a Truffle and What Does It Taste Like? | Allrecipes

Url:https://www.allrecipes.com/article/what-is-a-truffle/

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6.Videos of What Is An Italian White Truffle

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7.Italian White Winter Truffles Information, Recipes and Facts

Url:https://www.specialtyproduce.com/produce/Italian_White_Winter_Truffles_142.php

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8.Truffles in Italy: A guide for food lovers by Untold Italy

Url:https://untolditaly.com/truffles-in-italy/

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