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truffles |
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HISTORY OF TRUFFLES
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Origins
There is something about the nature of truffles that have
captivated people for over a thousand years. Perhaps it is
the dazzling, irresistible aroma that continues to draw generation
after generation to this delicacy. The history of these black
pearls of the Earth is often filled with mystery, superstition
and, at one time, damnation.
This subterranean mushroom is found within the living roots
of chestnut, oak, hazel, and beech trees. The word truffle
comes from the Latin word “tuber”, which means
outgrowth. It dates back to as early as the ancient Egyptians,
who held truffles in high esteem and ate them coated in goose
fat. A myth surrounded this gourmet entrée when people
believed they came from the ground after lightening struck
the Earth. According to a legend, a farmer spotted his pig
digging at the root of a tree, eating the mushrooms that it
found. Upon seeing that the pig remained healthy, the farmer
tried the mushrooms himself. Afterwards, his inability to
have a child with his wife resulted in them having thirteen
children. Many soon felt that there was a supernatural quality
to t ruffles, and saw them as God’s gift to humanity.
The Greeks and Romans used them for therapeutic purposes,
feeling that they gave eternal health to the body and soul.
Truffles were also seen has having exotic qualities in its
aroma and flavor, making it more popular among the noble classes.
The Mysterious World of The Truffle
Throughout the middle Ages, truffles virtually disappeared
from sight. This is because at one time, the church felt that
because of their exotic aroma, truffles were the creation
of the devil. They were sometimes known as the “witch’s
fares”, and for centuries, few people ate or sold them.
During the Renaissance, truffles made a comeback through the
reign of Louis XIV, who not only saved them from obscurity,
but also pushed them into the forefront of one of Europe’s
most respected dish. The king was fascinated by the nature
of truffles and set out to cultivate them, which proved to
be unsuccessful.
By the mid-1800s, the truffle experienced its largest production
to date. Over 2,000 tons of truffles appeared throughout Europe.
This age of abundance and wealth did not last long. After
World War I, many of the rural lands were destroyed and the
growth of truffles lowered dramatically. It reached its lowest
by the 1960s, producing less than 400 tons. Recently, the
production of truffles has once again risen. Scientists throughout
Europe have been trying to understand how such mushrooms can
be produced and have tried to grow their own truffles.
It is difficult to sometimes find truffles due to the fact
that they spring up spontaneously in the roots of certain
trees. They are found mostly in spring, rarely coming out
in cold temperatures. In the past, farmers would search the
woods, bring pegs to sniff and dig for them. Nowadays, dogs
are used to track down truffles. According to many of these
“truffle hunters”, you can tell if any are near
by the movement of certain flies in the air. The most common
truffles are black. Other varieties include gray and white
truffles. They are mainly packaged in cans, and imported to
the United States from around the world. In order to receive
the ripest, delicious truffles, it is best to order online.
Websites, such as xxx, provide truffles so fresh, you’ll
feel as if you just pulled them from the tree root.
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Stainless Steel Truffle Shaver
Get your truffle slices paper thin with this handy tool.
Truffle Shaver- $30.00
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