Beside the Beluga Caviar, Saffron, Kobe beef, Bird’s nest, Fugu, Foie Gras, Lobster, Matsusake and Oysters, Truffles (actually white truffles) are one of the top 10 most expensive food items.

Let’s say it simple to avoid confusion (because there are a lot of classifications…): Truffles are underground mushrooms.

Truffles have a unique aroma, they are not very widespread and very difficult to find. They can be very different in quality and size. Because of all this, they are selling at auction, just like precious gems or art of some great painters. 

Rich people, famous people are ready to pay thousand hundreds dollars for few hundreds grams of truffles… 

Why truffles are so expensive?

First, truffles have a unique flavor and it’s like they say “irresistible” and very desirable in many dishes.

Second, more important reason is that the truffles are very rare and very difficult to find.

Third, not less important, truffles are one of the most powerful aphrodisiac (One legend says that Napoleon Bonaparte suffered from impotence and he solved that problem with truffles…) 

What about the price?
Less-quality truffles cost about $ 300 to $ 800  per kilogram and the average price for best quality black truffles is from $1.600 to $ 3.000. And finally, for the white truffles price is from $ 2.500 to $ 10.000.

The biggest truffle ever found was 2.5 kilograms. 

Where they could be find?
Truffles can be found in forests, usually at the base of trees. The easiest way to find them is to follow the traces of wild boars. It is believed that they are eating truffles to improve their sexual power. 

In stores, you can find fresh truffles (for the prices above mentioned), frozen, in pieces or like a whole, pasteurized… To keep fresh truffles is very difficult. Like a big project! It’s much easier with frozen or pasteurized truffles. 

Due to the strong aroma, truffles are never used as basic dish. Truffles are added to dishes only in small quantities, planed over the food, fresh.

In stores you can also find truffles oil. Women describe the aroma of truffle oil as very sensual…

 And finally the recipe: 

Goat Cheese and Truffle Oil Crostini

You need:

Crostini (see recipe below)
8 ounces goat cheese
Truffle Oil
Freshly ground black pepper
Fresh thyme leaves

Prepare Crostini; set aside until ready to use.

When ready to serve, spread each slice of toasted bread with a thin layer of goat cheese. Pour a small amount of truffle oil into a teaspoon and tilt the spoon to sprinkle 3 or 4 drops on each toast.

Sprinkle black pepper over the top and garnish with a few thyme leaves.

Makes 16 servings.

Crostini:
24 (1/4-inch-thick) diagonal baguette bread slices
Extra virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Arrange the bread slices on a baking sheet. Brush with olive oil and bake approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from oven and very lightly rub the toasted bread with the garlic clove. Allow to cool before adding toppings.