A truffle is a tiny juicy black seeded fruit of a small tree commonly found growing on Mediterranean cliffs and mountains. Known since the Bronze Age as "Mesolithicus", the name was thought to have come from the Greek word for "mound of stones" which many early dwellers used to describe their sacred groves. Its size has been estimated at being as large as a softball when fully mature, although exact measurements are uncertain because the larger varieties tend to be harvested earlier in the year. Despite its name, the fruit itself is seedless, hence the term "truffle".
Truffle can be divided into two, however, the first is only likely to be produced by a species naturally found in the Mediterranean. The second is far more common. An abundance of marine vegetation around the Mediterranean Sea has led to the growth of many "sand flies" or sand insects, many of which are actually microscopic fungi. As they feed on the decaying organic materials washed down by the sea, these fungi produce what are called concretions or black truffle salt. These concretions contain a variety of chemicals that enhance their taste and smell.
Although the best truffle salts are produced in the Mediterranean, some are now grown in places like Switzerland and California. With their highly sought after black truffle scent, these specialty salts sell for hundreds of dollars per pound. They also fetch a higher price on the commodities market. Although there is a healthy demand for this type of salt, the price is driven up largely by the high demand and the limited supply. This issue has led to the current global drop in the price of black truffle salt.
Historically, truffle salt was used not only for seasoning but also for curing various disorders. In fact, ancient doctors prescribed it to those who were ill. In modern times, people have begun to understand the healing powers of salt. Because of this, it has become more common for restaurants to offer salt in their menus. For this reason, it has been widely accepted as one of the best truffle salt made worldwide.
Many people search for methods of using truffle salt. Some use it just as a sprinkle on top of black summer truffles. Others add it to cooking stews or soups, in order to enhance their flavor. While others still sprinkle it over salads as a dressing or marinade for hours in order to add flavor and color to their dishes.
But no matter what the method is used for, one thing can be said about truffle salt and that is it easily lends itself to creative food preparations. Since it has a very rich flavor, you can easily coax its use into nearly any kind of dish. Whether you make fish stews, vegetable dishes, meat stews, or soups, you can simply sprinkle it on in order to enhance the dish. It goes great with both mild and hot tastes.
If you are looking for a very easy way to add truffle salt to your food, you should try to grate it and mixing it with some cream cheese. This will help in spreading the flavor around your food. Another way you can do this is to put the salt onto your baked potatoes and then bake them. It will add a unique flavor to your baked potatoes, which is sure to satisfy even the most discriminating palate.
To round off this quick recipe for truffle salt, I would also recommend you cooking some spinach. Spinach is known to be full of iron so if you are looking for a healthy and nutritious dish, you should definitely try grating some spinach and using it to spice up your popcorn. Once you have finished cooking your spinach, you can serve the steak and mashed potatoes. This is just one simple recipe for sea salt and truffle salt combinations. Enjoy!