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Hailed as the “diamond of the kitchen” by famed gastronome Brillat-Savarin, the fragrant white Alba truffle is perhaps the most precious of all the truffles. They are available only for a limited amount of time each year, depending on the weather in Italy. Order now to enjoy their unique flavor in your favorite dishes this holiday season.
The white truffle grows among the roots of certain hardwood trees. Truffle hunters seek them at night to avoid being followed by competitors who might discover the best collection sites. Although truffle hogs were used to locate the aromatic fungi historically, dogs are the more common modern hunting companion because they can be trained not to eat the truffles once they find them.
This gem of nature is prized for its distinct aroma and intense, earthy flavor. They are only served fresh: sliced, shaved or grated over a finished dish such as pasta, risotto, vegetables or eggs. The heat of the cooked dish is just enough to release the aroma of the truffles, enhancing their natural pungency. The aroma, which is the source of their unique flavor, is lost when the truffles are cooked or over heated. There is no comparable experience to the pungent aroma and flavor of the white truffle, and no more reliable source than D’Artagnan’s scrupulous buyers. The season is fleeting and availability dwindles depending on the weather in Italy. So get them while you can!
Storing truffles: Once a fresh truffle is out of the ground, it doesn’t keep long. To best preserve your truffle, wrap it in a paper towel, put in an airtight plastic container and set in the refrigerator. Do not clean the truffle until you are ready to use it. Avoid condensation and humidity which can cause rot. If you wish, store the truffle with eggs in the refrigerator to impart its flavor into the eggs. Be sure the shells are perfectly dry. Do not store in dried rice, as the rice dehydrates the truffle.
D’Artagnan also stocks truffle butters and oils, as well as a selection of preserved truffle products, including, including Whole Summer Truffles, Summer Truffle Peelings and Black Truffle Juice. Our shelf-stable, canned truffle products are all made exclusively for D’Artagnan in the Perigord region of France and are convenient for use all year-round.
