The Truth About Truffle Oil

Truffle oil is the magical elixir that makes all the beautiful earthy and pungent aromas of the truffle available to those who perhaps cannot afford the pricey cost of fresh truffles. If you are unable to source fresh truffles, can’t afford them, or wouldn’t know what do to with them - even if you had a few ounces of the finest Italian black winter truffles - then the very next best thing is truffle oil. Truffle oil was traditionally created by soaking fresh truffles in pure and high quality virgin olive oil, resulting in a flavour and aromatic infusion that could in turn be used to lend natural flavouring to cooking.

The whole idea of truffle oil sounds incredibly romantic and conjures up images of quaint villages in Italy and France and hand-crafted produce, the original recipes of which have been being lovingly passed down from generation to generation. However, it does tend to come as a shock to some that most of the truffle oil you see on your local supermarket’s shelves is not made from real truffles at all, but from synthetic triethers; an organic hydrocarbon and aromatic substance commonly used to give perfume its sweet and pleasurable aroma. So, while many gasp in horror that what they are enjoying is actually the product of clever organic chemistry rather than tradition and real ingredients, the truth of the matter is that fresh truffle oil is just simply not as good!

There are many factors to consider here. First and foremost, the compounds used to produce truffle oil exist 100% naturally in fresh truffles, so what goes into each and every bottle (provided you go with quality rather than price) is organic. Secondly, prior to 1980 when truffle oil become commercialised, making truffle oil was a genuine practice performed mostly by expert Italian and French chefs. It was also more often than not a waste of very expensive produce! Truffles do not have infinite life spans; in fact, truffle oil created from real truffles only lasts a matter of days before spoiling. Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, steeping truffles in olive oil does not impart as strong a flavour as one might expect. In fact, often the flavours are so mild and indiscernible, it is actually rather a waste of very expensive and delectable ingredients!

So, if you are one of the sceptics that gasped in horror to learn that truffle oil was not quite all you imagined it to be, then for these reasons and more; do not discriminate! The organic compounds used for the incredible aroma and flavour are the same. The only thing spared is the truffle itself and of course, your bank balance!

For our brand new, hand crafted and top quality truffle oil product, watch this space on www.TruffleHunter.co.uk!