Black Truffles for Delivery or Pickup

Black truffles are a delicacy that are prized for their rich flavor and aroma. This rare subterranean fungus grows underground on tree roots in the shade of hazelnut and oak trees. The most prized black truffles come from the Perigord region of France, though black truffles can be found in some other areas as well. Truffles are extremely rare, which drives the price up significantly, making this a very special but pricey addition to a fine meal. The truffle market is expected to grow to almost $6 billion worldwide over the next 20 years. 

The flavor of a black truffle comes from its aroma, which can be described as meaty, musky, earthy, or garlicky. The chemicals dimethyl sulfide and 2-Methylbutanal, contribute to the distinctive aroma of black truffles. This fungus also gives off androstenol and androstenone pheromones, which may contribute to its appeal. For this reason, black truffles are lauded as an aphrodisiac and are a popular component of romantic dinners.

When you're selecting a truffle, you want to select one that's heavy for its size. The density indicates freshness. As truffles age, they lose moisture and get noticeably lighter. Feel the truffle gently for soft spots that can be a sign of decay. Feeling the surface of the truffle can also help you identify holes. A small hole or indentation in the truffle is not a problem, but you do want to watch for areas where the holes have been filled with dirt, adding unscrupulously to the truffle's weight.

You always want an aromatic truffle. Whether it smells of chocolate, red wine, or cheese, it should have a strong and distinctive smell. Avoid truffles that don't have a noticeable aroma. You can leave notes for your Instacart shopper to help them select the very best black truffles for your meal!

You can also purchase black truffles in a variety of prepared products that make them simpler to consume and more shelf-stable. When you're selecting a truffle pate or carpaccio, make sure it contains either real truffles or truffle extract. Truffle extract comes from the truffle itself and imparts an authentic flavor. Some products, however, use only chemicals to mimic the flavor of a truffle. Black truffle oil is especially guilty of this trick, which falls short of the mark if you're interested in a rich flavor that's true to the distinctive profile of a truffle.

You must eat fresh black truffles within 7 to 10 days of harvesting. Their rich aroma begins to fade as soon as they're taken from the ground, so the fresher a truffle is, the more enjoyable you'll find it. Store black truffles by wrapping them in a piece of absorbent paper and placing them in an airtight container in your refrigerator's crisper drawer.

Truffles must be cleaned by hand with a damp paper towel or soft brush. They're typically sliced thin to get the most from their flavor and served atop food that will absorb the truffle's aroma, such as pasta. You don't need to cook black truffles, and may compromise the flavor if you do. The most you might need to do to a black truffle is warm it slightly in butter. Try serving shaved truffles on top of asparagus and a fried egg, or with risotto or freshly made pasta. A little butter and parmesan complement the flavor well.