Reno, NV – Truffle mushrooms are held in high esteem in French, Italian, Spanish and International cooking. Summer truffles, the least expensive and most mildly flavored variety of truffles, are the first to ripen, followed by Burgundy truffles, white truffles, and finally black truffles.
Fresh summer black truffles begin to ripen in early May. Well-formed, mature summer truffles are now being harvested in large quantities in France and Italy, the two countries which produce the most highly prized truffles. Summer truffles are generally available through August, and are used raw in salads and cheese omelettes or shaved over vegetable, grain, or pasta dishes, usually in generous amounts. Summer truffles are also frequently used in preserved truffle products such as truffle butter, truffle paste or cream, and truffled pate or specialty meats.
According to Mirepoix USA, a leading online purveyor of specialty gourmet foods and traditional French foods, fresh summer black truffles feature a mild but crispy nutty flavor. The delicate taste of summer truffles can be preserved by serving them either raw or just slightly warmed. Mirepoix USA recommends offering generous portions, as summer truffles are much less pungent and much less expensive than Perigord black truffles or white truffles. Their subtle, mushroomy flavor can be enhanced by adding truffle oil or truffle juice to almost any preparation. Thin slices of summer black truffle can be added to salads, allowing the truffles to absorb some of the dressing, or served with a meaty steak, bathed in the warm juices of the meat.
With a similar exterior appearance to black winter truffles, summer truffles have a nubby black or brown skin, and a pale beige interior marbled with white veins.
Mirepoix USA states that consumers should be aware that all truffles, including summer truffles, should be wrapped in an absorbent cloth such as a paper towel and stored in an air-tight container. The towel should be changed daily to avoid moisture collecting or mold developing. Truffles can lose up to 3% of their daily weight, and should be consumed within a week to ten days.
Premium truffles are found mostly in France, Spain and Italy. Secondary markets include China, Turkey, Yugoslavia, Northern Africa, and the United States. Preferring a warm climate, free of frost and sheltered from summer storms, truffles develop in the root system of certain trees, primarily oaks and hazelnut trees, and occasionally certain pines, willows, chestnuts, beech, red alder and poplars.
Truffles grow in random locations as much as one foot below ground in the root system of the host trees and therefore must be discovered by the trained nose of a pig or dog. Dogs are more commonly used for truffle hunting today, as they can be more easily trained to simply find the truffles and not eat them.
Mirepoix USA sources the highest quality specialty gourmet foods and traditional French foods from manufacturers and importers across the United States. The company currently offers over 40 foie gras selections; fresh truffles including summer truffles, Burgundy truffles, Perigord black truffles and Alba white truffles and well as truffle based products; French charcuterie, and a wide selection of caviar. In recent years the online retailer has expanded product offerings to include Wagyu and US Kobe beef, French cheeses, and gourmet gift baskets and gourmet food.
To purchase fresh summer truffles from Mirepoix USA, visit http://www.mirepoixusa.com or call 866-992-9559.
Source: Mirepoix USA