In this article we will go over all you need to know about black and white truffle oil and I will share the best truffle oils below. At a loss for where to buy truffle oil and how to use it? Check it all out!
What is truffle?
A truffle is a wild or cultivated mushroom, or fungus. Black and white truffles are considered rare, since they are hard to find and also difficult to cultivate. If you are able to find a truffle, it will not have a long shelf life. That is why truffles are so expensive.
What is truffle oil?
Truffle oil is an actual extra virgin olive oil that is infused with either real truffle pieces or truffle flavor. There is a very big difference between the two. Don't get caught off guard! When buying or using truffle oils, there is a night and day discrepancy between truffle flavor, which is synthetic and overpowering, and all natural truffle oil, which is more earthy, aromatic and complimentary.
As opposed to other vegetable oils that can be bought at your local grocery store, truffle oil is a modern and gourmet finishing oil that is difficult to find in a chain grocery store. It is not intended to be used as a cooking oil, but rather is to be used as the finishing touches on a great dish.
If you are wanting to buy truffle oil, do keep this in mind. If you are giving truffle oil as a gift, or using it as an ingredient, it is important to get all natural truffle oil that is infused with real truffle for the best flavor and experience.
What does truffle taste like?
Though this is hard to boil down, truffle oil has a savory and earthy tone to it. Black truffle flavor can have a pungent essence to it while the white truffle flavor is milder, smoother, and sometimes even garlicky. Each of the oils has a nutty flavor. Both black and white truffle oils are fragrant first of all.
What is in truffle oil?
If you find a brand of real truffle oil, it should contain a high quality extra virgin olive oil that is infused with either truffle pieces or steeped with truffle and that's it!
Buying a lower quality truffle oil that contains artificial ingredients like "truffle flavor" or "truffle aroma" yields an oil that has almost a chemical taste and an unnaturally strong smell. If you are using this kind of oil in your recipes, you should use much less of the oil, so that you are careful not to overpower the dish with that strong truffle flavor.
I've taken all of the leg work out of guessing if the oils are real or not in the recommendations below. The first time I ordered, I ordered a brand that said "with real truffle pieces" but was disappointed when it also had fake flavor added. The truffle brands below should have all real ingredients.
White vs black truffle oil
When using truffle oils in different recipes, you should consider what exactly you want as the finished dish. White truffle oils tend to be milder than black truffle oil and it even has hints of garlic in certain brands. On the other hand, black truffle oils tend to be more pungent and sharp and pair well with red meat dishes like steak and hamburgers.
It really is rather a matter a preference when it comes to using black vs white truffle oil. Not sure which one to use? Why not try them both!? There are plenty of gift sets that contain both black and white truffle oils.
How to use truffle oil
If you are looking for truffle oil recipes and ideas how to use truffle oil, we need to establish first that truffle oil is a finishing oil, not a cooking oil. You should not be frying, baking or anything of the sort with truffle oil, but rather using it to finish a dish.
Here are a few ways to use truffle oil:
- Finish off your mashed potatoes by mixing some truffle oil in them before serving (a little goes a long way)
- Drizzle some on some French fries (my favorite!)
- Make truffle aioli for dipping and spreading, the perfect addition to a charcuterie board!
- Over some roasted seasoned potatoes or veggies
- On salads
- As a dip for crusty bread
- Truffle pizza is also another trendy way to use it! Drizzle some over a gourmet or wood fired pizza. YUM!
- On top of pasta
Really, it is very versatile and is a great way to up your game while entertaining or just for a special dinner.
The best truffle oil to buy
Looking to give truffle oil as a gift? These are the ones we recommend. Remember to be very careful about the ingredients! Stick with REAL truffle oil or organic truffle oil since quality is very important! Don't get anything that has an ingredient stating "truffle flavor" or "truffle essence" The different truffle oils below have been carefully selected because of their all natural ingredients, flavor, and aroma.
1.
The best black truffle oil
Truff truffle oil has amazing ratings, and I can attest that the taste is superior. This is my brand of choice when it comes to black truffle oil, and it is organic and gluten free and made with the finest black winter truffles. No fake ingredients here! And not only do they offer truffle oil, they have a whole line of truffle hot sauce (ummm yes please!). Check them out on Amazon below
2.
The best white truffle oil
When it comes to white truffle oils, the leader of the pack is Lieber's White Truffle Oil. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and of course, all real ingredients.
3.
The Best White and Black Truffle Oil Set
The Chef Jean-Pierres gift set is an excellent set of black and white truffle oil. I chose it for it's natural ingredients, free of fake flavors, and because it also comes with truffle salt. You cannot go wrong with this gift set, whether you are giving truffle oil as a gift, or if you are wanting to try both oils, this is the set for you! Check them out on Amazon below!
Truffle oil recipes
Looking for ways to use your truffle infused oil? Check out these amazing recipes below!
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