The black truffles in Provence are as precious as diamonds, making them hard to find. While hard to find, they can be fun to hunt for, not to mention how delicious they are to eat.
Getting to Know Black Truffles
Black truffles are round, dark brown, and smell of fruit, cocoa, and wet earth. They grow underground, found near the roots of trees. You can recognise them by their black skin and white veins.
In Provence, black truffles have a number of names, including Perigord truffle or Diamont Noir, meaning black diamond. They are the most expensive mushrooms in the world, sold to chefs and foodies for anywhere up to €1,000 per pound. These truffles tend to grow to around 50 grams each and are considered a luxury, enjoying in many traditional Provencal dishes.
Where to Find Black Truffles in Provence
Black truffles are hard to find. In order to grow they need tree roots and the perfect soil. Their scarceness is what makes them exciting, especially for foodies and chefs. Truffle hunters use pigs and dogs to search for these truffles around the base of trees.
The good news is that you don’t have to be a truffle hunter to find black diamonds in Provence. Black truffles, while scarce, can be found at the local markets in the city and surrounding villages. Alternatively, you can go on a truffle hunting tour, where you can explore the local area, searching for these delicacies around trees with an expert guide.
Cooking with Black Truffles
Cooking with black truffles is a delicate process that requires cleaning and shaving them before adding them to dishes. These truffles work well with fatty ingredients, including cream, eggs, cheese, and butter, turning the most simple dish into a mouthwatering delight.
Preparing Your Black Truffles
The first step is to prepare your truffles, this involves:
- Cleaning – scrub your black truffles under water to remove soil. Do not peel them
- Shaving – shave your black truffles thinly using a truffle shaver or vegetable peeler
- Gentle heat – black truffles should be used with no or very minimal heat to preserve their flavour and aroma
Pairing and Using
Black truffles can be paired with a variety of your favourite Provencal dishes:
- Pastas and Risottos – truffle can be added to pasta or risotto, shaved over the finished dish to add aroma and flavour
- Dairy and Eggs – black truffles can be shaved over scrambled eggs, added to omelettes, and sauces to create a rich flavour
- Meat and Chicken – add thin slices under the skin of your chicken before roasting or on top of cooking beef or game
- We recommend enjoying black truffles by shaving it over your favourite dish to preserve its flavour and aroma
Conclusion
Black truffles are a luxury, added to Provencal dishes, adding a rich flavour and aroma. It’s important to remember to keep it simple, adding shaved truffles over dishes to make them shine. Always add your truffles at the end, just before serving. If you are looking for a hands-on experience in hunting and using black truffles in Provence, Cooking Classes in Provence is here to assist. Contact us today to find out more.
