A black truffle, also known as a sugary truffle, is a small, black, gooey mushroom that can be found in France, Switzerland, and Italy. In fact, this very popular treat is a native of those countries. It wasn't until later when the rich soil and climate of France were emulated by the newer countries around it that the sugary treat became a worldwide phenomenon. A truffle consists of a single seed, which may not have a "black" interior. A black truffle contains a significant amount of melanin, which is what gives the fungi its dark, sugary color. Historically speaking, the name black truffle comes from the French term "truffle" and the French word "truffle de France".
Black truffles are not only delicious, but they are also quite fragile. Because of their compact size, they need to keep their shape and structure very carefully. When exposed to extreme temperatures (in hot weather, for example), the roots of these mushrooms begin to shrink back, and they are unable to maintain their shape. This is why truffles are often enjoyed on their own, without any accompanying sauce. These delicate mushrooms are rarely eaten raw, but instead are often cooked or served in their brief state. A good rule of thumb for cooking a black truffle sea salt is to never let them reach room temperature, as they will retain too much water and become soft.
The majority of people who enjoy truffles also enjoy other salty treats that are made with black truffle salt. These include bread, cakes, cookies, pretzels, and chips. Each of these foods can be created with this salt, however, due to the way it retains its form, it may take some time. Therefore, these items are not best served immediately after they are prepared. If you are trying to prepare a high-quality product that needs to reach room temperature in order to retain its flavor, you may find it more efficient to allow them to sit in the refrigerator.
Truffles can be sprinkled on just about any salad. Whether they are added fresh, frozen, or used cold, the classic ingredient, olive oil, is an excellent base for adding a variety of herbs, spices, and flavors. To make a simple salad, mix romaine lettuce, shredded kale, and shredded asparagus in a bowl. Add a half teaspoon of dried thyme and a quarter teaspoon of black truffle salt to the mixture and stir until thoroughly mixed. Spread the mixture on top of the lettuce and allow it to stay there for about five minutes before serving. You can add more or less of each ingredient to make the salad taste like a truffle.
Another way to enjoy black truffle salt is to use it as a delicious addition to cold salads. Combine chopped tomatoes with olive oil, bell pepper, red onions, garlic, and oregano in a large bowl. Stir to combine, then sprinkle over your salads until it looks a little like the ground beef in a canned meat patty. When the tomatoes start to soften, add another layer of olive oil and season with black truffle salt until the patty is completely coated. Place the patty on hot coals and give it a few minutes to heat up, then serve.
What's better than truffle salt on a sunny day? Try using it as an ingredient for black truffle scrambled eggs. In the same bowl as the tomatoes, season with salt and mix in the eggs. Once the eggs are done setting, add some oil and mix in the chopped olives and lemon wedges until the mixture is smooth and creamy. If desired, top with a little extra olive oil.
Truffle mushrooms are another popular ingredient in savory truffle recipes. The key to their earthy flavor is the smaller chalices. While larger chalices have a strong mushroom taste, smaller chalices are much more subtle, almost unnoticeable. You can always season this type of mushroom with additional black pepper or salt, but the smaller ones will provide the most authentic flavor.
Black truffles are made by rolling up the chalice and then baking them in the oven. This creates an air-tight seal that allows the flavors to fully develop. Because they come in such a vast variety of shapes, you can experiment with different shapes and sizes until you find one that you love the most.