A truffle is an edible mushroom of the moomyroot family, also known as the buttercup or chanterelle mushroom. A truffle also called a white truffle, is the casing outer body of perennial underground ascomycete fungi, primarily one of the genus Tuber. In addition to Tuber, several other fungi are recognized as truffles, including Geopora, Leucatinium, Choiromyces, Lamea, and several others.
Most of these varieties are harvested and sold on the commercial market in the form of dried mushrooms. For years, people have been able to use the pungency of these fungi to season foods. The classic example of using black truffle sea salt on certain foods is when you drizzle it over meats at the table.
Traditionally, truffle salt comes in its dry form from the mushrooms themselves, which are picked before they're ever used. Today, dried mushrooms are often tossed into salads and seasoned with olive oil and lemon juice for that added zest. But many chefs have discovered the deliciousness of using the powder as a substitute for salt. Many people will buy a bag of truffle salt and then simply mix it with some olive oil in a food processor to make their own special blend of black summer truffles. Another way to make this special blend is to take fresh mushrooms and slice them very thin, then add a bit of the liquid that the mushrooms are soaked in (baking soda is sometimes used).
Another way to add a hint of truffle flavor without adding extra salt is to add a few drops of essential oils to the mixture. Some of the most common oils include basil, cardamom, peppermint, clove, and thyme. Essential oils are great because they have a wide range of delightful scents from invigorating to almost floral. If you love the combination of truffle salt and aroma, you may want to consider buying a bottle of pure essential oil of your favorite scent and trying that blend with the truffle salt, too.
Seasonal flavors are popular all year, but some people seem to favor the flavor of truffles throughout the whole year. Autumn, Christmas, and New Year's are the best months to make truffles. Many people enjoy the rich creamy taste of truffles that come from French vanilla beans. In fact, truffles are so popular during the holiday season that some stores begin selling truffle salt and caramel truffles for an all-time high in late December and early January.
You can also use truffle salt to season baked potatoes, fish, or chicken. Salting a food before you bake it makes the flavor last longer, which results in tastier, crunchier baked foods. Likewise, you can sprinkle French fries with salt before cooking to enhance their crispiness. You can also use the salt to season bland steamed broccoli.
Some people opt not to use truffle salt. Perhaps they aren't fond of the pungent flavor, or maybe they'd rather buy and use other spices and flavorings. Other people find that the pungent flavor of the black truffle is so overwhelming that they decide to eliminate it from their pantry. For those people, black truffle salt is a welcome addition, though they do occasionally slip in a pinch of rosemary or thyme for the holidays.
The question of whether to use it all year long or season some foods differently throughout the year is one that only you can answer. Some people swear by the salt and others don't; there are no set rules when it comes to truffle salts. Each family should find the formula that suits them best. Those who like the flavor of truffle salt but avoid the pungent after-effects should experiment with adding just a bit of black truffle salt to food that they enjoy, such as fried or scrambled eggs, bagels, or cereal. After a while, your palate will adjust and you'll be able to determine just how much you like it in the kitchen.