The black truffle, sometimes called the French truffle, is a small, round, white-colored powdery mushroom. The word "truffle" comes from the French word "trache" (meaning mouth) and the Latin word "truff" which means hair. In order for the mushrooms to reach their full maturity, the inner chamber of the cell which contains the air sacs must be properly maintained. This can only be achieved by exposing the spores of the fungus to air which is taken by the spores. When this takes place, the air sacs collapse, and the inner portion of the mushroom becomes exposed.
A truffle is actually the fruit of a submersed, underground, single-celled ascomycete fungi, primarily one of the families of the fungi called Tuber. There are also other genera of fungi classified as truffles which include Geopora, Peziza, Choiromyces, and numerous others. It's not clear exactly how sea salt was used to cure this particular fungus, but it is known that ancient civilizations from Egypt to Greece to Rome were regularly using black truffles as a popular food ingredient. Black truffles are available in many forms today ranging from eating to sprinkling on food to using in various decorations and perfumes.
The term "black truffle salt" refers to the abundance of magnesium chloride (which is also known as "soapstone") in this type of salt. As you'll see when you're sprinkling this type of salt on your favorite dishes, it has a very subtle seasoning, yet it still has a wonderful taste. You'll find that the sensation of using this type of seasoning is almost like adding a bit of sugar to your food without having to add any extra calories or carbohydrates. The black truffle salt will give you that rich, sugary taste without all of the additional calories or unhealthy carbohydrates that you might not care for.
Truffles are a type of food that is very versatile. You can make a delicious soup with them, or you can top light tarts topped with some light frosting for a delicious dessert. In addition, you have the opportunity to add some truffles to your cheese sauce for an appetizer recipe that is out of this world. Sprinkle some black truffle salt over your baked potatoes or French fries and you'll have a delicious dish that is both elegant and healthy at the same time. The baked potato is a great entree that can be served with a black truffle salt coating. In fact, French fries are often served with this salt coating as well, for a delicious variation on that traditional French dish.
In the winter when you need some added flavor to compliment the crisp fall winds or the snow blanketing the ground outside, consider using black truffle salt instead. These salts are much more prevalent in the summer and are available in both liquid and gel form. These types of salts can also be purchased as a sprinkle for your tableware, cookware, or silverware. Some people enjoy the flavor of black truffle salt in their coffee or tea, while others may prefer its flavor in their pieces of bread and desserts. These salty treats can even be sprinkled on fish and meats to enhance the natural flavor.
If you are looking for a way to use truffle salt to season your foods, you should first consider using it in its original form. This is an excellent option for using salt in a wide variety of recipes. The great thing about olive Morada is that it contains an extremely high amount of minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Many of these essential minerals are lost during the cooking process due to the heat, so using black truffle salt and leaving the extra minerals in the food will help to retain them. By using this salt alongside such other ingredients as fresh lemon juice, a little bit of olive oil, and a dash of cayenne pepper, you can create a delicious accompaniment to just about any meat dish. For instance, if you were preparing sausages for a meat lover who enjoys Italian red meat, sprinkling a thin layer of olive Morada on the outside of the roast prior to browning it would seal in the flavors while also bringing out a color hue that would contrast nicely against the red meat.
Black truffle salt is also perfect for making truffle scrambled eggs. Many people don't realize how easy it is to make a batch of truffle scrambled eggs, which is also perfect for a rainy day! All you have to do is stir two eggs into a bowl of milk, add a little bit of black truffle salt, and then let the mixture set.
While this seasoning is wonderful in a variety of dishes, it can also be sprinkled onto cookies or pastries to take the flavor one step higher. If you enjoy baking with chocolate, try drizzling some over warm cake or cupcakes. It will melt into the baked good, creating a wonderful light flavor that you'll love every time you bite into a piece. Crumbled onto popcorn, you'll find it even more enjoyable than with nuts, which is probably why it's become such a popular choice. With black truffle salt, you can create a rich flavor that you'll love to use on a number of your recipes.