Black truffle is the fruiting body of an underground ascomycete organism, mainly one of the few species of the family Ascomycetes. Besides Tuber, several other genera of ascomycetes are also classified as black truffles such as Geopora, Leucangium, Peziza, and many more.
Black truffles, though technically a mushroom, do not have any "mushroom" roots, they grow up through the substrate and become firmly rooted in the soil. The mushroom roots that result are black, disc-shaped, and generally in the shape of a bell or a ring. When harvested, the plant is hollowed and cut into pieces.
There are several types of black truffles but the two most common are the white truffle and the black truffle. The first one has a white interior with a black outer ring. The second one has a black inside and white outside. The latter has been known to have a blue-green appearance that has a slight resemblance to a blueberry. Some individuals have reported seeing white specks and speckles on the surface of the truffles.
Black truffles can be found in the markets as well as being grown in some tropical and sub-tropical countries. They are not really suitable for cooking because of their bitter taste. Because of this, the demand for truffles in European countries has been comparatively high. As the demand for these tasty treats in the markets grew, manufacturers began producing their own version of black truffles and thus making it available to the general public. They are now available in many forms such as salt, powders, and sauces.
Although there are different manufacturers of black truffle salt products, the basic recipe for these goodies is quite the same. The first step is to remove the skins and cut the mushrooms at their core. It is important to keep this part of the mushroom fresh to preserve its texture and flavor. Once it is prepared, it is usually prepared by roasting it and then adding to various dishes. For example, a typical preparation would be served with cheese and some vegetables, ham, chicken, or fish.
Because black truffles are naturally salty, it is important to know the best method for using the salt to add to your dishes. This is a matter of personal preference but most people prefer to sprinkle a few flakes of salt over the top of their dishes after baking or roasting. To get a taste of natural, the use of natural sea salt will give a better flavor. If the desired effect of this salty seasoning cannot be achieved, then you can opt for table salt that contains sodium chloride and potassium nitrate.
A popular way of using black truffle salt is to spread it over warm dishes before serving them. Some people like to dip the meat or fish in the salty coating however, this can be tricky and will take some practice.
Though the recipe is simple, using the right kind of salt is important especially when it comes to the health benefits. In particular, if you are on a low-fat diet, you will not want to eat too much salt so the recommended amount to use is about five grams of salt per serving of food.
There are many health food stores that specialize in truffles and they are also easily accessible. In addition, the Internet provides consumers with more options. The advantage of shopping online is that you have the benefit of being able to compare prices of different brands. This is not only helpful but also saves time since you do not have to go to more than one store.
As mentioned earlier, the black truffle is known to be very rich in calcium, vitamin D, iron, protein, and potassium. In addition to that, it is rich in trace amounts of vitamin E and beta carotene. Since it has a very strong flavor, the use of this seasoning makes the dish very enticing.
Another added benefit of black truffles is that they also aid in fighting cancer. Because of their high content of fiber, the black truffle helps in preventing constipation as well.
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