Truffles are known as a culinary gold for their garlicky and gourmet flavor and rare availability. Hence, chefs worldwide have a special place for truffles and love to garnish their elite recipes with a tint of truffle in different forms. But having them fresh, straight from the ground, is a delight to relish. Truffles generally have a notorious shelf life, thus making it difficult to have them fresh always. So it is better to learn how to preserve these pesky, delightful food items and never feel short of giving your special meals a gourmet touch.
With Tita Italian, you can always find fresh truffles available in the store, ready to serve you on time. Now let us learn some of the sure-shot ways to preserve fresh truffles for a good time.
How to store your truffle the right way
- Choose the Right Type
Truffles are specially brought from the wild forest and are not available all year round. Hence, it is extremely important to preserve the one in good condition for a longer stay. However, after receiving your truffle, it is best to consume them within two to three days to enjoy the maximum concentration of their flavor and earthy aroma. If you want to store your truffle, clean it immediately once it is received. It is normal for a black truffle or white truffle to develop a little moisture, but do not let it sit wet. Wrap each truffle individually in kitchen paper, then place it in a container in the fridge. Change the paper every day and feel the consistency of each truffle. The truffle to be consumed will be the softer one. The softness, if not excessive, represents the maturity of the product and the maximum expression of its flavor and aroma. If the product is too soft it means that it should have been eaten first. We recommend consuming them two days after receiving them.
- Store Truffles Dry
Truffles are extremely delicate food items and rot early if exposed to excessive humidity or water. Hence, you should not wash these prized ingredients but rather use clean tissue paper or an airtight container to keep them stored in a dark area. Also, change the tissue frequently to avoid built-in moisture, if any, and retain the truffle aroma for a good period. When you receive your fresh truffles, we suggest you immediately wrap them individually in a kitchen towel and place them in an airtight glass jar in the refrigerator until use. Please don’t keep them for more than one week.
How long will fresh truffles last?
Fresh truffles are best enjoyed as soon as possible. In general, white truffles last only a few days, while black truffle varieties can last a little longer in the refrigerator. For the best results, use them quickly and check them daily for softness, moisture, or any sign that they are going bad.
- Freeze Your Truffles
Generally, white truffles can last for around five days, while the black ones will stay for over a week. But for even a longer keep, you can preserve the truffles in rice jars or maybe in the sand. And if you are planning to freeze them, then clean wipe the exterior down with a brush (never wash your truffles), wrap them with a cling film, place them in an airtight container and finally keep them on the top shelf of your fridge (don’t forget to change the tissue frequently). Also, keep the temperature between 2ºC and 4ºC; it will help the fresh truffles retain their flavor and aroma for a short while.
- Change the Form
You can consume fresh truffles by thinly shaving them over a dish, ready to consume, or by grating them directly over your meals, pasta, and pizza meat.
Truffles grow in wild, pristine conditions and are so rare and valuable. They are also very delicate and cannot tolerate any contamination. Thus, with these marvelous tricks for storing fresh truffles, you are set to enjoy dishes with truffles.
At Tita Italian, you can find the best collection of Italian wine and food items to compliment your gourmet meals, garnished with truffles on top. Please visit our store and allow us to pamper you with an amazing variety of delicacies.
What are the common truffle mistakes?
The most common mistakes are washing truffles, leaving them in too much moisture, and forgetting to change the paper they are wrapped in. Using a sealed airtight container in the refrigerator helps, but truffles still need to stay dry and be checked often so they do not spoil early.