How can you tell which truffle is better than another? Does size matter?
Surprisingly, size doesn’t matter. “Larger truffles may be ‘better’ in the sense that they are more presentable if they are shaved tableside,” says Robert, “but once they are shaved, there is no difference whatsoever compared to a smaller truffle of the same freshness in terms of aroma or taste.”
Truffle hunters and chefs look for aroma, variety, freshness, firmness, maturity, color, and no deterioration caused by predators. The most important attraction for a truffle is its aroma, says Umberto, which is directly related to how fresh it is.
Are truffles really harvested using pigs?
Truffles are harvested by hand using either pigs or trained dogs to pinpoint their location. Throughout history, pigs were more commonly used to hunt truffles as they generally have sharper noses and do not need to be trained. Today, dogs are used almost exclusively and are preferred by truffle hunters as they don’t eat the truffles, like pigs do, and they are more efficient and much easier to handle. “It’s not easy to go around unnoticed with a few hundred kilos of pigs in the back of your car,” says Massimo.
However, the method of actually digging the truffles out of the ground by hand—that hasn’t changed for centuries!
Can anyone hunt truffles?
Hunting truffles requires a nose, a well-trained dog, and a map in your mind passed down for generations. Most wild truffle hunters do not divulge the location of their truffle finds, but many truffle hunters offer truffle hunting experiences for visitors to France and Italy. “Going out with a truffle hunter is a really great experience,” says Massimo. “It’s the only way to truly appreciate nature and the hard work of hunting truffles.”
How are truffle dogs trained?
Most truffle dogs come from two truffle dog parents, and truffle training starts when a dog is just a pup. “Truffle oil is applied to the mother as the puppies are feeding so they get the taste for it, and puppies are often fed truffles as treats,” says Radka Ramain. This is how they trained her truffle dog, Elmo!
How long do they keep?
Truffles behave like radioactive material, says Robert. “They have a half-life of about four to five days. As soon as they come out of the ground, the aromas start dissipating. After four to five days, only half of the aromas remain. After eight to ten days, only a quarter of the aroma is there. After that, they are no better than the mushrooms you buy from the supermarket.”
