Truffle oil might be that secret ingredient you have been looking for to take your pastas, pizzas, polenta, popcorns, salads, and sauces to the next level. Truffle oil adds a distinct flavor to your food that leaves you craving for more.
This article provides you the tips for choosing the right truffle oil for your recipes and also reviews some of the best truffle oils on the market.
The 8 Best Truffle Oils
1. La Tourangelle White Truffle Oil
Ingredients
Organic high-oleic sunflower oil, natural white truffle flavor, natural flavors, and natural truffle extract
The La Tourangelle White Truffle Oil has a complex (woodsy, earthy, and fruit) flavor characteristic to the white alba truffle. It can be used on a wide range of recipes, including as a spread or as a dressing in pastas, soups, and marinades.
Pros
- BPA – free packaging
- Uses natural white truffle extract
- Appropriate for a wide range of diets (kosher, gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian)
Cons
- Some people found the flavor too mild for their liking
2. D’allesandro White Truffle Oil
Ingredients: canola oil, olive oil, white truffle flavor
The D’allesandro White Truffle Oil is made with canola and olive oil as the base oils. It is made by adding white truffle oil flavor to the base oils. It has a light garlicky flavor.
Pros
- Affordable
- Comes in a beautiful packaging
- Has a pleasant garlicky aroma and taste
Cons
- Not made from real truffles
3. Taste of Truffles White Truffle Oil
Ingredients
Extra virgin olive oil, sunflower oil, grape seeds oil, and white truffles
This truffle oil is made with a blend of base oils, including olive oil, sunflower oil, and grapeseed oil. It uses real white truffle to infuse the truffle flavor. The manufacture recommends that the oil is only used as a dressing and not in cooking or sautéing.
Pros
- Can be used as a dressing for a wide range of recipes
- Has an intense garlicky taste
- Non-GMO
- Appropriate for a wide range of diets (kosher, gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian)
Cons
- A bit pricey
4. Truff Hot Sauce
Ingredients
Red Chili Peppers, Vinegar, Organic Sugar, Garlic, Salt and Black Truffle, Organic Agave Nectar, Olive Oil infused with Black Truffle Essence, Lycopene and Glycerin (for color), Organic Cumin and Xanthan Gum.
Pros
- Vegan and gluten-free
- Great option if you like to add some heat to your dishes
- No preservatives
Cons
- Not a good option if you don't like heat
5. Urbani White Truffle Infused Oil
Ingredients
Olive oil, white truffles aroma
The Urbani White Truffle Infused Oil is made with artisan olive oil and white truffles aroma. It is not made with the real white truffles rather their aroma. It has a mild aroma that is suitable if your keen to avoid an intense garlicky taste.
Pros
- Has a mild aroma
- Affordable
- Can be used on a wide range of recipes
Cons
- Not made with real white truffles
6. TruffleHunter White Truffle Oil (Tuber Borchii)
Ingredients
Olive oil, extra virgin olive oil, white truffles, white truffle flavor
TruffleHunter White Truffle Oil (Tuber Borchii) is made by infusing real white truffles in cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil. It has an intense garlic aroma and taste. It is great for use as a finishing oil in a wide range of recipes, including salads, pastas, pizzas, risottos, and as a marinade. This truffle oil is kosher, nut-free, gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian.
Pros
- Made with cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil
- Garlicky taste and aroma
- Kosher, vegan and vegetarian
- Nut-free and gluten-free
Cons
- Some people the oils truffle too intense
7. Chef Jean Pierre’s White Truffle Oil
Ingredients
Chef Jean Pierre’s White Truffle Oil is produced in Italy using natural ingredients: olive oil and real white truffles by steeping the truffles in oil. It has a distinctive yet smooth white truffle aroma and taste. It can be used in a wide range of recipes, including mashed potatoes, rice, eggs, soups, risotto, mashed potatoes, and popcorns as a dressing. Since it has a strong flavor, it is best to use it sparingly.
Pros
- No chemicals or artificial flavors
- Uses real white truffles to infuse flavor
- Has an intense flavor
- Can be used on a wide range of recipes
Cons
- Some people find the flavor too strong for their liking
8. Sabatino Tartufi Black Truffle Oil
Ingredients
Olive oil, natural black truffle extract, black truffle flavor
The Sabatino Tartufi Black Truffle Oil is made by infusing real black truffles and natural black truffle extract in olive oil. It has a decadent earthy flavor. It is best used as a finishing oil for a wide range of recipes.
Pros
- Made with real black truffles
- Has an intense flavor
- Can be used on a wide range of recipes
Cons
- Some people find the flavor too strong for their liking
Types of Truffle Oils
There are two main types of truffle oils: black and white. Black truffle oil has a deeper, stronger, and more complex flavor than white truffle oil. White truffle oil has a garlicky-peppery taste, while black truffle oil has an earthy taste.
With that said, the taste of both white and black truffle oils is quite polarizing. While some people like the taste, others cannot stand it.
Why Are Truffles So Expensive?
Truffles are expensive because they are hard to find. They are difficult to grow and have a short shelf life span. As a result, the truffles themselves are sold quite expensively, up to thousands of dollars per pound. Furthermore, you require several pounds of truffles to make an ounce of pure truffle oil.
How To Use Truffle Oil Correctly
Since truffle oil has a distinct taste, it is best to use it sparingly in your recipes; otherwise, it might overwhelm your dish. Sprinkle a little amount toward the end of a given recipe.
Cooking experts recommend against using it as cooking oil as high heat breaks down the truffle oil flavor. Truffle oil is most appropriately used in recipes that are high in fat, cream, or cheese as a dressing oil.
They are also suitable for recipes such as soups, eggs, sauces, French fries, pizzas, pasta, risotto, roasted potatoes, and fish, among others.
How Is Truffle Oil Made?
Truffle oil is made by infusing truffles in a base oil such as olive oil, grapeseed oil, or sunflower. Therefore, truffle oil is actually truffle-infused oil. The base oil draws the truffle taste and flavor from the truffles. Whether a truffle oil is white or black depends on the type of truffles that were infused into the base oil.
Things to Consider Before Buying Truffle Oil
The main factor to consider when buying truffle oil is whether or not it is real. Authentic truffle oil is made from real truffles that are infused in a base oil. Look at the product’s ingredient list for a mention of real truffles, and watch out for any chemical ingredients.
Avoid products that have labels such as “natural truffle aroma” or “truffle flavor.”
The highest quality truffle oils have some truffle pieces at the bottom of the bottle and have a distinct truffle flavor.
Opt for truffle oil that is made with high-quality base oils such as olive oil instead of lower quality oils such as canola oil. In regards to texture and consistency, fake truffle oil pours out with a water-like consistency.
The Verdict
If you haven’t, give truffle oil a trial. Try out both black and white truffle oils and decide which one you prefer. Our pick for the best truffle oil is the TruffleHunter White truffle oil. It is made with high-quality cold-pressed olive oil that offers a smooth, garlicky flavor.
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