How long do truffles last?
Truffles have a very limited shelf life, no more than about 10 days. Let’s have a look at what you can do to prolong their shelf life and how you enjoy the truffle experience throughout the year!
The shelf life of truffles!
Truffles live in symbiosis with a host tree, delicately attached to their roots by fine cobweb like fibres known as hyphae.
The moment their bond is broken, the clock starts ticking and you have about 10 days to enjoy these gifts from the gods before they turn.
It is common for the truffle season to last less than 12 weeks.
Our view is that truffles are not at their best as soon as they are harvested but instead their aroma develops over the first few days.
It’s not set in stone but somewhere around the two-day mark is their sweet spot. Maximum aroma and flavour!
From that point on the aroma gradually decreases until a kind of fermentation effect takes place, usually around day seven or eight where they develop a kind of wine-like addition to their already complex aroma.
They are still good though. After about day ten your truffle will deteriorate quite quickly and begin to decompose letting off quite a pong.
All the above is dependent on you caring for your truffle and storing it correctly.
Storing truffles?
Even after they have been removed from the earth, truffles take in fresh air and expel the volatile organic compounds that make up their desired aroma.
This is especially true when exposed to changes in temperatures.
Your truffle should be stored in the fridge but not in a super-cold area where they could be exposed to temperatures near freezing.
The crisper or door is a great spot.
Do not vacuum seal truffles. They should be stored in a reasonably airtight container such as a jar, which is opened at least daily to allow fresh air in and for the built-up gases to escape.
If this doesn’t occur, your truffle will quite literally choke itself and deteriorate at an accelerated rate.
The larger the jar, the less of an issue this will be.
It is also important to remove any excess moisture or condensation.
Resting your truffle on a scrunched-up piece of paper towel inside the jar will be sufficient but make sure you change the towel daily.
In place of the paper towel, you can partially fill the jar with Arborio Rice.
The truffle aroma permeates through the rice while the rice absorbs excess moisture.
This adds hints of truffle to your next risotto.
This should only be done for a couple of days otherwise the truffle may become too dehydrated.
Can truffles be frozen?
The good news is yes!
Truffles can be frozen...
The bad news is that their distinct and complex aroma won’t be the same and it’s best to cook them after they have been frozen.
It’s not all bad news though. Not only do they develop a nuttier, more confectionary-like aroma once thawed, but the aroma is very resilient.
High temperatures can destroy the aroma of fresh truffle, but frozen truffle aroma holds up just fine and compliments dishes with the most incredible earthy and wholesome touch … and you don’t need anywhere near as much as when using fresh truffle.
Chopped, sliced or grated, truffle that has been frozen is perfect for delicious hot dishes like our
Truffle Stuffed Roast Chicken or Truffle and Marron Ravioli.
Dehydrating truffles!
Much the same as freezing truffle, dehydrating truffle changes the aroma completely but unlike frozen truffle, we use dehydrated truffle without cooking it.
It is even nuttier and more confectionary-like than frozen truffle and we love to use it on desserts.
Dehydrate your truffle well, reducing its weight to around 20%. We like to blend our dehydrated truffle to a fine powder and store it in the fridge. It will keep for many months, maybe years and when needed, just sprinkle on top of some vanilla ice cream or a Creme Brulee or mix through a hot pasta just before serving.
Preserving truffles!
With no shortage of clever food entrepreneurs out there in search of the ultimate truffle preservation technique, to this day, there is still no way of preserving the complex and unique aroma of truffle in its true form.
Truffle sauces, pastes, foie gras’ and tapenades are some examples of how truffles have been preserved and enjoyed by many cultures for hundreds or maybe even thousands of years.
Our favourite truffle preserve is truffle butter.
Grate fresh truffle and mix through good quality, salted butter, which has been softened.
Roll in cling wrap and freeze. That’s it!
It is so ridiculously versatile. Break off a generous piece and serve on top of a hot steak, allowing it to melt over your meal, mix through a pasta last minute or deglaze a pan to make the most indulgent pan sauce.
So, now you have an arsenal of truffle storage and preservation techniques, visit our shop, get yourself some fresh truffle and see how much you can make of it.
A little really does go a long way.
And don’t forget to share your skills on our Facebook or Instagram
Published: October 23, 2023
How long do truffles last?
Truffles have a very limited shelf life, no more than about 10 days. Let’s have a look at what you can do to prolong their shelf life and how you enjoy the truffle experience throughout the year!
The shelf life of truffles!
Truffles live in symbiosis with a host tree, delicately attached to their roots by fine cobweb like fibres known as hyphae.
The moment their bond is broken, the clock starts ticking and you have about 10 days to enjoy these gifts from the gods before they turn.
It is common for the truffle season to last less than 12 weeks.
Our view is that truffles are not at their best as soon as they are harvested but instead their aroma develops over the first few days.
It’s not set in stone but somewhere around the two-day mark is their sweet spot. Maximum aroma and flavour!
From that point on the aroma gradually decreases until a kind of fermentation effect takes place, usually around day seven or eight where they develop a kind of wine-like addition to their already complex aroma.
They are still good though. After about day ten your truffle will deteriorate quite quickly and begin to decompose letting off quite a pong.
All the above is dependent on you caring for your truffle and storing it correctly.
Storing truffles?
Even after they have been removed from the earth, truffles take in fresh air and expel the volatile organic compounds that make up their desired aroma.
This is especially true when exposed to changes in temperatures.
Your truffle should be stored in the fridge but not in a super-cold area where they could be exposed to temperatures near freezing.
The crisper or door is a great spot.
Do not vacuum seal truffles. They should be stored in a reasonably airtight container such as a jar, which is opened at least daily to allow fresh air in and for the built-up gases to escape.
If this doesn’t occur, your truffle will quite literally choke itself and deteriorate at an accelerated rate.
The larger the jar, the less of an issue this will be.
It is also important to remove any excess moisture or condensation.
Resting your truffle on a scrunched-up piece of paper towel inside the jar will be sufficient but make sure you change the towel daily.
In place of the paper towel, you can partially fill the jar with Arborio Rice.
The truffle aroma permeates through the rice while the rice absorbs excess moisture.
This adds hints of truffle to your next risotto.
This should only be done for a couple of days otherwise the truffle may become too dehydrated.
Can truffles be frozen?
The good news is yes!
Truffles can be frozen...
The bad news is that their distinct and complex aroma won’t be the same and it’s best to cook them after they have been frozen.
It’s not all bad news though. Not only do they develop a nuttier, more confectionary-like aroma once thawed, but the aroma is very resilient.
High temperatures can destroy the aroma of fresh truffle, but frozen truffle aroma holds up just fine and compliments dishes with the most incredible earthy and wholesome touch … and you don’t need anywhere near as much as when using fresh truffle.
Chopped, sliced or grated, truffle that has been frozen is perfect for delicious hot dishes like our
Truffle Stuffed Roast Chicken or Truffle and Marron Ravioli.
Dehydrating truffles!
Much the same as freezing truffle, dehydrating truffle changes the aroma completely but unlike frozen truffle, we use dehydrated truffle without cooking it.
It is even nuttier and more confectionary-like than frozen truffle and we love to use it on desserts.
Dehydrate your truffle well, reducing its weight to around 20%. We like to blend our dehydrated truffle to a fine powder and store it in the fridge. It will keep for many months, maybe years and when needed, just sprinkle on top of some vanilla ice cream or a Creme Brulee or mix through a hot pasta just before serving.
Preserving truffles!
With no shortage of clever food entrepreneurs out there in search of the ultimate truffle preservation technique, to this day, there is still no way of preserving the complex and unique aroma of truffle in its true form.
Truffle sauces, pastes, foie gras’ and tapenades are some examples of how truffles have been preserved and enjoyed by many cultures for hundreds or maybe even thousands of years.
Our favourite truffle preserve is truffle butter.
Grate fresh truffle and mix through good quality, salted butter, which has been softened.
Roll in cling wrap and freeze. That’s it!
It is so ridiculously versatile. Break off a generous piece and serve on top of a hot steak, allowing it to melt over your meal, mix through a pasta last minute or deglaze a pan to make the most indulgent pan sauce.
So, now you have an arsenal of truffle storage and preservation techniques, visit our shop, get yourself some fresh truffle and see how much you can make of it.
A little really does go a long way.
And don’t forget to share your skills on our Facebook or Instagram
Published: October 23, 2023