What is a Truffle? | |
| A truffle is an underground fungus usually found in close association with a tree. Many truffles are rare, edible and as considered to be delicacies, are among the world's most expensive foods. There are dozens of different species, but the best species can cost over 10,000 &euro / kilogram. A single white truffle was once sold for £165,000! To reproduce, truffles rely on being dug up and eaten by animals and then spread in their dung. The aroma of truffles attracts such animals and also appeals to gourmets. This aroma has been used by truffle hunters with pigs to locate this buried treasure. Today, it is trained dogs that have largely replaced pigs. On the continent and in other countries truffles are big business. In Britain a number of species of truffle can be found in the wild and are some are also grown commercially in truffle orchards. |  |
| Truffles are found buried or just breaking the soil surface. | |
Summer Truffles | |
| The Summer Truffle (Tuber aestivum) is the commonest truffle in Europe. The skin is black in colour with pronounced pyramid-shaped warts. When cut in half, Summer Truffles have a white marbling on a pale cream to light brown background. Summer Truffles may ripen as early April or May and continue fruiting until late Autumn. They grow just beneath the ground surface near beech, hazel, oak and birch trees and grow best on the rich soils found on chalk. The flavour and aroma are more subtle than the well known varieties of truffle but can still command prices of several hundred pounds per kilogram. The flavour is described as nutty-tasting. The Summer Truffle can be found in many areas of Britain though the chalk downs of Kent, Surrey and Wiltshire and Hampshire were the centre of truffle hunting businesses in the 18th to early 20th centuries. Alfred Collins operating from the Wiltshire village of Winterslow was the last professional truffle hunter retiring in 1930. Working with two Spanish Poodles, he could collect 11 kilograms on a good day. |  |
| A Summer Truffle found in Dorset | |
Truffle Eating | |
| All truffles have a strong affinity with eggs. The most simple dish is truffled scrambled eggs or omelette where truffles and eggs stored together for several days for the aroma to infuse the eggs. Black truffles also go well with chicken. Slices of truffle are placed under the skin of the breast and legs for several hours to flavour the meat before it is roasted. Truffle risottos and pasta-based dishes are also popular. Truffles can be an ingredient in all courses of a meal - starters, main courses and desserts. Truffle Vodka is a recent product attracting extensive attention. |  |
| Truffled scrambled eggs is a classic way to enjoy their flavour. | |
Truffle Hunting | |
| In the past, female pigs were used to hunt for truffles as the pungent odour that they emit is similar to that of a male pig. Sows were difficult to control when a truffle was located and would often eat it! Today most hunters now use truffle dogs that are easier to control and will happily leave a found truffle for a food reward. Virtually any breed of dog can be trained to find truffles. Our truffle hound's work is "considered to be of an advanced standard" by The Truffle Hunters Dog School and she is "recommended for use in any truffle harvesting situation". If you a landowner with beech, oak or hazel woodland growing on chalk and would like to hire a truffle hound to search for truffles or to harvest your truffle orchard please use this link. |  |
| Proud truffle hound | |
Buy Truffles | |
| If you would like to purchase fresh Summer Truffles from Dorset please use this link to enquire for prices and availability indicating the quantity you want. We are happy to supply trade or individual customers in the UK. NOT AVAILABLE AT PRESENT Truffles are shipped to you promptly with a record of the date of harvesting. They have a short shelf life and to enjoy at their best should be eaten as soon as possible. They will keep for 1 - 2 weeks if wrapped in absorbent paper and stored in an air-tight container in a refrigerator. Note that truffles typically lose around 2 or 3 % of their body weight every day. For wholesale orders, we can supply Truffles cleaned or uncleaned. Individual orders are always cleaned. We clean truffles using a toothbrush to remove most of the dirt. Using water is not recommended. You may wish to use damp kitchen towel for a second clean before cooking with them. A truffle mandolin is recommended to cut thin slices and get the most from your purchase. |  |
| A kilogram of Summer Truffles |