FAQ

Is truffle oil real?

Shockingly, no! No truffle oil, the world over, is made from real truffles. All ‘truffle oil’ is chemically scented with the addition of chemical 2,4-dithiapentane. This single artificial chemical has an aroma that mimics (to an extent) the 300+ aromas found in actual truffles.

Truffle oil cannot be fragranced with the scent of real truffles for the simple reason that truffles can’t impart their aroma into oil (regardless of what kind of oil). And while there are oils infused with genuine truffle shavings, these are just for show —a visual selling point.

In the U.S. it is even legal to use the words ‘organic’ and ‘natural’ in front of the words ‘truffle oil’, which has led to a class action lawsuit.

Why are truffles so expensive?

Black winter truffles (and white truffles) are considered to be one of the most luxurious foods in the world. They have a fixed market price that fluctuates and changes weekly (as a rule, they are always most expensive in the run-up to Christmas). They are not easy to cultivate and grow below ground, near the roots of trees. They have a pungent aroma, which is detected by highly trained trained dogs, or pigs. Once found, the truffle must be carefully dug out. The season is short because they must be harvested in winter when they are most ripe. Rarity and heavy demand makes truffles highly prized in terms of both allure and value.

What IS a truffle?

The truffle is a subterranean mushroom that grows in the soil around certain slow-growing trees. There are many different types of truffles (see our page here) but the most prized type, after white, is ours: the black winter truffle (Tuber melanosporum).

If you are buying a whole truffle, they will often have a little nick on the side that shows they have been graded (the quality depends on a variety of things including perfume, shape and size, presence and density of white veins). The nick allows you to see - and smell - the quality.

How long do truffles keep for?

About a week, if you follow the steps below. They are best enjoyed as soon as they’ve been harvested: if you’re the lucky recipient of a truffle, eat it as soon as you possibly can and resist the temptation to keep it, which a lot of people make the mistake of doing. Truffles slowly deteriorate once they’re out of the ground. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge, lined with kitchen paper. Change the paper daily.

What do truffles taste like?

Truffles have a strong, earthy - sometimes musky - flavour, hinting at umami and yet surprisingly floral given their subterranean existence. Yet despite their strength of flavour, there is a subtlety to them. Truffle oil, which is always artificial (truffles cannot impart their flavour through oil), has over-exposed a great deal of people to a synthetic ‘truffle’ fragrance which is not representative of the taste of real truffles.