Does anyone know what Truffles are?

I don't mean the sweets called truffles. I'm talking about some plant type fungus that is in the ground. I was watching an episode of the 90's TV show Northern Exposure last night at work, on my DVD, when they were looking for truffles. They used a pig that sniffed them out, and then they used them in food. I have never heard of them before, except for truffles candies.

Oh yes, I have tried them, they are okay, but I don't think I'd have them often!! They are kind of knobbly mushrooms but with a firmer texture! (if that makes sense!)

You can read about them here!

If I remember correctly its a type of mushroom....

Yep. Check this out: http://www.restaurant.org/rusa/magAr...?ArticleID=674

Originally Posted by HopeHacker

I don't mean the sweets called truffles. I'm talking about some plant type fungus that is in the ground. I was watching an episode of the 90's TV show Northern Exposure last night at work, on my DVD, when they were looking for truffles. They used a pig that sniffed them out, and then they used them in food. I have never heard of them before, except for truffles candies.

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They are a high priced mushroom that can be amazing if you cook it properly. I've not had the pleasure of dealing with them in my cooking, due to price restrictions, but if someone offers them to you, say yes!

Yes, it is a very expensive type of mushroom, very hard to find, and tastes like rotten socks

Google "truffle" -- you'll get tons of hits. Here's one

Originally Posted by fwan

Yes, it is a very expensive type of mushroom, very hard to find, and tastes like rotten socks

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I'm not even going to ask how you would know what rotten socks taste like

Originally Posted by Sar

Oh yes, I have tried them, they are okay, but I don't think I'd have them often!!

They are kind of knobbly mushrooms but with a firmer texture! (if that makes sense!)

You can read about them here!

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Oh my goodness Sarah, that picture in your link looks like a fetus!!

Truffles are excellent. There is a white and black varities. We use them at our higher end dinner parties that we cater. Most of the time you see them shaved on top of a finished product. A little goes a long way and at thier price you want to get the most bang for your buck, presentation wise and taste wise.

Tricia

They do actually use pigs to hunt for truffles. They're most famously used in french cooking. And because of the expense, they are often shaved and are used primarily for flavoring, especially in sauces. They are also used to flavor oils. Most gourmet stores will carry white truffle oil and/or black truffle oil.

Hi Hope!

Originally Posted by fwan

Yes, it is a very expensive type of mushroom, very hard to find, and tastes like rotten socks

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If I liked mushrooms I might eat them. But I hate mushrooms. Yuck!

If you've wached "Iron Chef" on the food channel you'll see they use them ALOT in gourmet cooking

Yes, they do use pigs to hunt them .......... or rather sniff them out! Must have something to do with the snout! Anyway, I love them and all kinds of mushrooms but alas I've developed food allergies in my old age and can't go within 100 feet of any kind of mushroom without dire consequences!

I don't like those truffles....but i sure do like chocolate truffles

Originally Posted by LokisMum

Yes, they do use pigs to hunt them .......... or rather sniff them out! Must have something to do with the snout! Anyway, I love them and all kinds of mushrooms but alas I've developed food allergies in my old age

and can't go within 100 feet of any kind of mushroom without dire consequences!

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As for truffle hunting, I believe dogs are used now because the pigs would try to eat them. Can you imagine a hard days work being eaten by a pig?! LOL

Everytime on Iron Chef someone uses truffles, he/she usually wins.

It is a magic ingredient. I am sure it is pretty tasty.

I personally don't think truffles are that expensive as a flavoring agent. Most spices probably cost more than 300 dollars a pound. I use vanilla beans in my cooking and they are VERY expensive.

I heard that truffles are becoming cheaper due to the discovery of new varieties in the African nations.

I love those chocolate covered coconut delights called Truffles. When I learned what real truffles were as a kid, I was quite disappointed to find out that they were just brown lumpy things found in the dirt. If I had a chance to try them I would though.

This thread is making me want to try to make some chocolate truffles. It can't be all that difficult :::: starts walking towards kitchen::::

Thanks for the info. I LOVE mushrooms. I am going to have to try something with Truffles.

Well, if someone says you can't learn things from TV, I'll say I learned about Truffles from a wonderful, very funny, very entertaining TV show.