A truffle is basically the underground fruiting body of a microscopic ascomycete fungus, most notably one of the groups of the genus Truffles. Aside, from Tuber, other fungi classified as truffles include Geopora, Peziza, Choiromyces, and more than a hundred others. The common name for this fungus is "black mold" (Truffle's), and it can form in any number of places: in damp areas, on the bottoms of leaves, in soil, decaying organic materials like wood and leaves, and so on. The scientific name for this fungus is "Mycotoxic Mold," and it is commonly found in North America and in Eastern Europe.
While it's not actually possible to grow truffles, you can still use them as a topping for savory dishes and for sprinkling on top of baked potatoes, carrots, and even corn. Most often, though, they're used in cooking. The key to their popularity lies in their unusual flavor, which is somewhat reminiscent of caramels or chocolate. Their crunchiness is occasionally compared to that of black coffee, and some people claim that eating a piece of truffle will almost feel like drinking instant coffee. Even if you don't enjoy that sensation, the rich earthy flavor of black truffle salt is a delightful complement to a wide variety of cuisines.
For decades, the only way to prepare black truffle salt was to buy it from France. Today, however, there is a wide range of different salts available, including kosher salt and alternative salts like dulse and seawater. These salts come in different natural colors, including white (clear) and pink (sold in small cartons in the United Kingdom). They may also be found in various colored tin cans, although you won't find them in the regular supermarket. If you happen to live near a seashore, you may even be able to pick up a jar of popcorn-flavored salt. Popcorn is a very popular seasoning ingredient today, and some manufacturers even include it in the regular salt packets that you purchase from the grocery store.
Most people enjoy popcorn-flavored salt on sandwiches or in salads, and the addition of sea salt or regular table salt may be a good idea, too. You can soak dry popcorn in water or other liquids for a minute or two to prepare the flavor, then sprinkle it over your favorite dishes. Be careful, however, not to make popcorn "sour," since that will end up impacting its flavor. When adding it to savory soups or stews, just be sure to keep it within the grain of the beans, since it will overpower the flavors in most recipes.
Traditionally, black truffle salt comes in crystal glasses, but you don't need those any longer if you've converted to using powdered salt. That's one way to get your fix of this delightful seasoning, either as a substitute for regular table salt or a wonderful way to add it to different foods, like fish or chicken, and use seasonings in a variety of ways. You'll enjoy using black truffle salt on pizza, sausages, vegetable dishes, and a host of other dishes. It goes great on stews and other vegetables as well. It mixes well with cheese and cream and creates a rich flavor in soups, stews, and other dishes. And don't let the name mislead you, the salt isn't fake, but it's closer to reality than salt from the store.
There are many varieties of black truffle salt on the market, depending on where you get it. If you go to a fine gourmet food shop, you can find a very large selection. But if you don't want to spend much money on expensive merchandise, try looking online. Many online retailers sell a wide range of items that are both good and high in demand. Online black summer truffles are usually cheaper because of the lower overhead associated with online businesses.
Another alternative to buying it in stores is to make your own. Most Italian black truffle salt recipes use a teaspoon of ground dried oregano, a quarter teaspoon of kosher salt, a quarter teaspoon of caraway seed, a half teaspoon of cinnamon, and a quarter teaspoon of nutmeg. The spices are ground down until they are a powder. You will also need a food processor or a blender, a liquid base such as sherry or vermouth, sugar, and water. Next, you will want to heat up your kitchen and combine all the ingredients for your heavenly Italian black truffles.
The most important step is to carefully mix all the ingredients together. Once this mixture is combined, allow it to cool, then break it into small pieces. You can now pour the powder over your cooled pieces of the desert and enjoy. To give your black truffle salt a distinct taste, it is advisable to dry it out in the sun over the course of one day. Once dry, you will notice a definite change in its flavor and texture.