Premium Alba Truffle, white

Truffles – what's the deal with the bulbous forest mushroom?

At first glance, the bulbous truffles don't look like much. But in this case, the first glance doesn't count for much: it is overlaid by the intense first aroma, which the mushrooms exude and which already heralds their culinary enjoyment. Nevertheless, not all truffles are the same.

A little truffle ABC

There are numerous varieties of truffles, including high-quality and less high-quality, expensive and cheaper, white and black, winter and summer truffles. Around 160 species are known today. They grow in all parts of the world, usually underground, and in the process form a connection with the root of their host plant – usually trees such as oaks, beeches, lime trees or black pines.

While the host benefits from the water and mineral salts, a truffle needs the photosynthesis products of the tree to grow. "It can take five to ten years for a truffle to develop from a spore," explains Jean-Marie Dumaine, a French truffle expert. In addition to the host plant, a truffle primarily needs plenty of water and chalky soil, such as that found in wine-growing regions.

From truffle pig to truffle dog

When the mushroom is ripe, it begins to give off an intense smell. Dumaine: "It wants to be found and eaten." It is found primarily by wild boars, which, after eating it, ensure that the mushrooms are spread through their excretions.

But people have also valued truffles for their special taste since ancient times. In the past, they used truffle pigs to search for the mushrooms; nowadays, truffle dogs are usually used.

 

The white Alba truffle is the queen of all truffle species. The Latin name is Tuber magnatum pico.

The colour of the white truffle ranges from white to light brown to intense pink, and the shape can be round or irregular. Its unique, strong aroma is difficult to describe. The Alba truffle has a garlicky smell, but tastes much milder than its aroma suggests. The harvest time is from September to December.

Use

White truffles go very well with scrambled eggs, risotto or pasta. Only with them can you think about shaving, but even here it makes more sense to mix the fine slices or shavings well with the other ingredients (risotto, pasta, scrambled eggs) and let this mixture steep for at least 20-30 seconds. However, white truffles should not be heated too much.

Since truffles are a natural product, they should be eaten as quickly as possible.

About the producer

Laumont is one of the leading companies in Europe when it comes to the sale and distribution of truffles and mushrooms. We have been active in this sector since 1980, which helps us to work as experts in this field and to constantly make the necessary improvements in order to offer our customers the best.

Storage recommendation

Mushrooms should be stored in a cool, airy place. An air-permeable container in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator is best suited for this.