What Do Truffles Taste Like

Slofoodgroup Team March 12, 2022

The Flavor of Truffles: Rustic Elegance at its Finest

Describing the flavor of truffles is kind of like describing wine or olive oil. If you’ve ever been to either tasting, you are well aware that the long list of potential descriptors will be utilized differently and take on a multitude of combinations from person to person. You see, no two palettes are exactly the same, thus individuals will have different taste experiences for any given ingredient in question. That said, there are certain characteristics that you should be able to expect from a truffle, let’s take a look at the general flavor profile of a truffle. 

Truffles taste earthy

Truffles are a type of fungus that fruits under a layer of earth, so it’s no surprise that most people will describe their flavor as having elements of earthiness. What that means to one person may be completely different to another, with some suggesting notes of grass and others experiencing more of a muskiness. 

Truffles possess a natural sweetness

Despite a relatively low sugar content, truffles are often described as having an element of sweetness, which lends well to simple pasta and rice dishes, as well as baked goods, and cream-based sauces. 

Truffle are rich in umami

When it comes to describing the sense of taste, we are no longer restricted to sweet, sour, salty, or bitter; umami has been noted as the fifth taste, with ingredients like mushrooms, broths, and anchovies falling under this savory umbrella. There is no direct translation from Japanese to English of the word, umami, but it essentially means  “essence of deliciousness” or “pleasantness of taste”, and that is certainly true for truffles. They are savory, complex, and the perfect combination of elements to induce salivation. 

Different truffle varieties have different flavor profiles

Like grapes used to make wine, different species of truffles will have different flavor profiles. Furthermore, the growing region, weather patterns during growth, age, and freshness will all play a role in the flavor profile of any given truffle.

Truffles are intensely flavorful

Truffles have an intoxicating nutty and oaky essence and intoxicating levels of umami, yet still somehow possess a delicate flavor that lingers on the back of the tongue. This seemingly contradicting profile including subtleties of sweetness and musk and savory depth lends itself well to simplistic dishes, and should not be overpowered with a multitude of complex ingredients. Try a simple pasta dish like our White Truffle Egg Noodles!

Egg Noodles with White Truffle and Fleur De Sel

Ingredients

• 8 ounces of dried egg noodles (use gluten free, if desired)
• 1 1.76 ounce jar white tuffle carpaccio
• 1 teaspoon flleur de sel 
• 1 pinch fresh cracked white peppercorns
• Additional salt for pasta water

Procedure

1. Fill a pot with enough water to submerge your past. Liberally salt the water and place it on a burner over high-heat to boil. 
2. Once the water has come to a full boil, add your noodles. Stir occasionally so they don’t clump together. Boil for about 8-12 minutes, or until they are perfectly al dente. 
3. Remove the pot from the burner and drain your noodles, reserving about ½ cup pasta water. 
4. Add the contents of the jar of truffle carpaccio, including the oil, along with your fleur de sel, cracked pepper, and reserved pasta water.
5. Toss your pasta until fully coated in the oil. 
6. Serve immediately.

Serving Suggestions

Truffles and pasta are a phenomenal combination and perfect as a light, vegetarian entrée or as a side to a meat lover's main, such as a well-cooked steak or fresh seafood. The truffles and oil are so flavorful on their own that there is no need for the addition of anything aside from a bit of sea salt and pepper but feel free to top it off with a bit of shaved parmesan or asiago if you desire.