WHAT ARE TRUFFLES?

THIS IS A QUESTION I HAD A FEW TIMES. IN MOST TOP RESTAURANTS ADDING TRUFFLES TO A DISH WILL CHANGE THE PRICE DRASTICALLY. LIKE IN NY AT THE WAVERLY INN THEY HAVE THIS MACARONI WITH OR WITH OUT AND THE PRICE IS LIKE DAY AND NIGHT, LEAVING ME SAYING: WHAT ARE TRUFFLES? (VIA LUXIST)
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Truffles are among the most expensive and prized delicacies on earth. A member of the fungi family, they are incredibly expensive because of their scarcity. In fact, it is not unheard of for large ones, which are extremely rare, to command six figure prices.
Typically roundish but lumpy in appearance, they have an intense flavor. They are typically used sparingly, due to their strong earthy flavor, but also because of their expense.
In Europe, specially-trained truffle dogs which have a keen sense of smell are used to locate mature truffles buried underground. The fungus that makes truffles can only survive and thrive in certain soil conditions and have symbiotic relationships with the roots of specific species of trees. The fungus attaches itself to a tree root, typically oak, beech, hazel or birch, and produce one truffle per year. The aroma and flavor of truffles differ, depending on the type of tree where they grew.
Prized truffles include the French black truffle, which is found in the Périgord region of southwest France. Italy is known for its white truffles, many of which are from the Piedmonte and Umbria regions.

33 Comments

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  1. HunneyB77 says
    25 Oct 09, 2:47pm

    So have you had them???? Are they GOOD or BAD????? Does it accent the meal????? WELL????

    ps~ Thanks JD;-)

  2. AnitaLTL says
    25 Oct 09, 2:49pm

    Interesting… Would’ve never guess they’d cost that much.

  3. PrincessAshleyJ says
    25 Oct 09, 2:51pm

    They must be good

  4. MissLisaBaby says
    25 Oct 09, 2:52pm

    Man I just knew you were about to get on here and talk about some chocolate. LOL. Learn somethin new everyday. 6 figures though? Damn

  5. Ace La says
    25 Oct 09, 3:11pm

    Ew!!! That is not cool. I can’t belive I wanted to try that. that is nasty!

  6. KimboSqueeze says
    25 Oct 09, 3:20pm

    Well… that sounds pretty expensive for some damn fungus.

  7. Darius says
    25 Oct 09, 3:42pm

    so that wut they where
    my mom had tried to put me on them a while back
    they was okay
    but i prefer my Hershey’s chocolate any day

  8. Darius says
    25 Oct 09, 3:43pm

    so that wut they where
    my mom had tried to put me on them a while back
    they was okay
    but i prefer my Hershey’s chocolate any day

  9. Charloetta says
    25 Oct 09, 4:24pm

    MissLisaBaby truffles are not chocolate basically they are a glorified mushroom..i love to try different foods but for me it all comes down to the taste..I remember when this whole sushi craze started at first i was like ewww but now i love it! I had seen these being used on Top CHef on the Bravo channel..Jd have u tasted them and how do they taste?

  10. 25 Oct 09, 5:30pm

    An over priced fungus. The things people will spend their money on.

  11. 2damnfunny says
    25 Oct 09, 5:49pm

    Never tried it but heard it’s great.

    Some use truffle oil as an accent too.

    It even has a special shaver so it’s used sparingly.

    Always wanted to try it but it looks like sliced shit to me.

  12. Minnie says
    25 Oct 09, 5:50pm

    There are also pigs that search for truffles. I don’t like mushrooms so I doubt that I’d like truffles.

  13. anon says
    25 Oct 09, 6:07pm

    I’ve tried it once and thought they had an interesting texture, they weren’t that expensive so I probably had some cheap version that is easily found.

    Thanks for making us aware of different things everyday in your blog, from technology, to fashion, to music, movies, food and etc… you really give us a little bit of everything.

    I also wanted to state an honest opinion as an avid follower of LTL. I think everything is awesome and I check in everyday for updates but when I do check in, I’m hoping not to see another night at the club. It is totally cool but we’ve seen it quite a few times. I much prefer when you start questioning things in this world, or asking us our opinion on things, stuff like “let’s ask the white guy” and things that everybody is thinking but nobody has the balls to say out loud. Or even watching you and the oceans just chilling or challenging people on xbox-live, it’s so entertaining and I even learn a lots of new things from you guys. I also hope you update more because I love seeing what you dish out next for us.

    Anyway, hope you take it as some constructive criticism

  14. klymax200 says
    25 Oct 09, 6:53pm

    truffles are nothing but over priced mushrooms because they are so rare that is why they are so expensive.

  15. alice says
    25 Oct 09, 7:01pm

    lmao @ 2damnfunny “Always wanted to try it but it looks like sliced shit to me.”

    you can get white truffles too and truffle infused oils, salt and butter so maybe you could try one of those without thinking of sliced shit hahaha.

    i have never had a chance to try them but from what i hear you either love em or hate em.

  16. _blk says
    25 Oct 09, 7:05pm

    rich nigga shit

  17. FLAWLESS says
    25 Oct 09, 7:08pm

    Although you’ve written as if truffles are only a fungus/delicacy, they are also a sweet confection as well. I’ve never eaten the type that U are refering to yet, prepare properly i’m sure they’re delicious.

  18. Texas Girl says
    25 Oct 09, 7:12pm

    I will not be eating fungus anytime soon lol…

  19. 25 Oct 09, 7:25pm

    SIX FIGUERS FOR SOME DAMN FUNGUS, HELL NAW! JD I HOPE YOU DIDN’T LET THEM DAMN FOLKS AT THAT RESTAURANT TALK YOU INTO PAYING FOR THAT SHIT. LMAO

  20. Jon says
    25 Oct 09, 9:00pm

    Hate to say it but this is kinda a perfect example of an artist or staple in the music industry loosing touch with his fanbase a bit my dude. Respect you tons but had to say it…

  21. Jon says
    25 Oct 09, 9:03pm

    It’s like Tracy Jordan on 30 Rock the other night,…”don’t you hate how the people on St. Barts eat their lobster like this…” LMFAO

  22. john says
    25 Oct 09, 9:11pm

    um yeah, no. most i will pay for a plate is 30. its food for christ sake. your gonna eat it, and shit it out the next day, but then again, i would pay like a 100 for some good rum or something, but at least that gets me drunk, and bottles can be collectors items. even still, that wouldnt be the norm. special event shit to style, but when it comes to food, nah. i have had whole pizzas for 4 bucks, and they were equally as good as one that would cost me 15. people are getting duped.

  23. nordia says
    26 Oct 09, 1:59am

    i don’t know i’ve never had it but this picture doesn’t make me wanna try it. i can’t imagine this thing taste being so good it can’t price of food like its a gucci bag vs american eagle or something

  24. 26 Oct 09, 7:21am

    Truffle oil can make a dish expensive as well a lil jar about 6 oz goes for 180 dollars, it has an awesome taste that you wouldnt expect though. Also some are found with pigs instead of dogs.

  25. 26 Oct 09, 7:25am

    truffle oil is also expensive a 6 oz bottle goes for like 180 dollars and some are found by pigs instead of dogs, but they have a awesome flavor

  26. 26 Oct 09, 9:20am

    truffles of the chocolate variety are like an upscale version of bon bon’s, they can havea variety of accents but most include chocolate

  27. BJ BENSON says
    26 Oct 09, 10:16am

    SOMETHING THATS MADE OUT OF MONEY I GUESS! LOL!

  28. Nina says
    26 Oct 09, 11:21am

    For all of you who have not had the pleasure some meals that include truffles are very good if prepared right, most chefs will use them to complement a dish so I have never had them as a stand alone meal.

  29. African mami says
    26 Oct 09, 12:37pm

    just like sushi, so shall the hullaballo over truffles be overcome!

  30. Heatha77 says
    26 Oct 09, 2:12pm

    All that money for a FUNGI…..come on people, just eat the mac n cheese and be happy.
    JD order it and tell us if you like it, try something at least once in your life and u will never have to wonder again what it all about…u only live once!

  31. 26 Oct 09, 5:41pm

    in my opinion definitely not worth it! (depending on how much money you make of course) i would rather pay that money on some top shelf rare cognac and rum. But thats cause i’m a lush. a six figure price on something i’m going to ingest better be like a mushroom on super Mario and give me an extra life.

  32. Jay Jay says
    26 Oct 09, 8:12pm

    seeing this post reminded me of work! i work for Petrossian and these fresh truffles trust me people pay A LOT of money for it especially the white truffles. and the smell is such a distinct aroma. the taste of dishes with just a little bit of this can go from bland to WOW. its crazy.

  33. dar says
    27 Oct 09, 4:07pm

    LMAO Anthony!

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