A truffle is basically the fruit of ascomycete fungi, mainly one of two species of the genus Tuber. In addition to Tuber, many other species of fungi are also classified as truffles such as Geopora, Pheasantomyces, Peziza, choiromyces, Leucatinium, and even more than a hundred other genera. These mushrooms can be found in North America, Europe, Asia, and South America. There are several ways to tell the difference between a genuine truffle and a black truffle. If you are a lover of this delicious snack, this article will help you choose the perfect black truffle sea salt.
The first thing that distinguishes a truffle from any other kind of mushroom is its appearance it contains a substance called tungsten dioxide. Tungsten is a metal that resembles silver, copper, or gold and has a very distinct color. The black tint of tungsten comes from the presence of melanin, which is a pigment that gives off a darkening effect. Melanin is responsible for the pigmentation of blackheads and dark spots, hair, and clothes.
Tungsten is not only found in mushrooms, but it also tends to be found in rocks and mineral deposits. The presence of tungsten dioxide makes these minerals absorb into the stone and make them appear black. However, the darker the mineral, the deeper they can be found. So in terms of truffles, a stone that contains high amounts of tungsten dioxide will usually be dark red in color. On the contrary, those that contain low levels of tungsten will have a light brown color.
Another factor that distinguishes a true truffle from its black-colored counterpart is the shape of its spores they have a flat surface and are long and thin rather than the more slender shape of Ascomycetes. Spores of Ascomycetes grow in spherical shapes and are short and brittle they do not have the flat surface of the spores of Truffles. This characteristic is what makes the latter truffle look much more appetizing compared to black truffles.
If you want to find the real deal, the best way to do so is to purchase a truffle salt from a reputable source. While the price of buying a truffle salt may be slightly more than that of buying the more traditional dried mushrooms, it can be quite worth the investment in terms of superior tasting food. Truffles have a unique and delicious flavor and with proper seasoning, they taste even better.
One type of truffle salt, you may want to try is called a "black truffle salt". Black truffle salt contains a different chemical compound from white truffles and contains several antioxidants, including vitamin C. This is actually the key to getting the real flavor from this delicious treat. Some people find that adding a bit of lemon juice helps.
It can also contain iron and manganese, but not as much as the white variety. Some manufacturers have even added tungsten to the black truffle sea salt for the purpose of making a product that can be sprinkled on sandwiches, crackers, or pizza.
If you do not have any experience in this area, you might be tempted to skip the white truffle salt and purchase the black variety. However, there is a reason why these types of truffles are a little cheaper the black version has not been exposed to air. The black version has more minerals that are responsible for the intense flavor it has. However, if you are planning to make a big batch, or are an experienced cook, you should probably stick to the white version, at least until you become more comfortable using the black variety.