Truffles are prized by gourmands the world over. Next to saffron, this fungus is the most expensive natural food on the market, selling for thousands of dollars a pound, so it comes at no surprise that some unscrupulous vendors are guilty of truffle fraud. Chinese truffles look like the real deal, but they are no more flavorful or aromatic than an ordinary mushroom. When stored with a real gourmet truffle, the Chinese truffle will pick up enough aroma to fool even an experienced buyer.
Truffles are lumpy and ugly. This doesn’t detract from their flavor. In fact lumps and irregularities in shape are a good indication that your truffle was actually harvested at the peak of it’s maturity. Small round truffles may still be green, so don’t be afraid to choose the less attractive fungus.
Aroma is another strong indicator of quality. the truffle should have a sharp pungent odor. In fact the aroma should be almost overwhelming. If you don’t notice this you should probably keep shopping. The truffle has a very short shelf life, and a faint odor could be an indication that you truffle is somewhat past it’s prime. Ask the vendor about the harvest date of you selected mushroom. If it has been more than seven days since your delicacy was dug, make another selection.
After you bring your truffle home, don’t slice it or wash it until you’re ready to cook with it. Wrap it in a dry paper towel and store it in some air tight container in you fridge. It will keep fresh this way for several days.
Tags: truffles