Take the Umami Express: Celebrate Truffle Season at Oliver’s

This week at Oliver’s Market, we are celebrating one of the rarest and most prized foods in the world! Freshly harvested and imported from Europe, Black and White Truffles are here in very limited quantities for preorder at our Gourmet Cheese departments, but fear not! If supplies are a bit limited or not in your holiday budget, you can still join in on the truffle experience. Throughout our store, we are featuring outstanding food and condiment options containing these prized, flavor-filled gems as an ingredient.

Let’s talk about what the fuss is all about with truffles and then review some delicious ways to enjoy them! And if you have not experienced truffle flavor or like the flavor to be more subtle and integrated, we have great cheeses, sauces, and other delectable foods that provide great introduction to the distinctive flavors and aromas that only truffles can offer.

Wikipedia defines a truffle as the fruiting body of a subterranean ascomycete fungus, predominantly one of the many species of the genus Tuber. In addition to Tuber, many other genera of fungi are classified as truffles including Geopora, Peziza, Choiromyces, Leucangium, and over a hundred others.

More simply stated, truffles are a fungus that grows underground, usually in a symbiotic relationship with trees, and are mainly found in parts of France and Italy. They are harvested in late fall months using pigs or dogs trained to find them. Once discovered, they must be harvested very carefully to remain intact. They remain fresh for only a few weeks after harvesting, so between their rarity, fragility, and limited lifespan it is easy to see why they are so prized – and not inexpensive.

Why do people love truffles so much? Because they offer aroma and flavor complexity – and pure umami – that is offered by no other food. White Truffles are more aromatic and subtle in flavor and are often enjoyed raw, shaved over a warm, simply prepared food for maximum enjoyment. Black Truffles are more pungent and are sometimes enjoyed raw, but more often used as an ingredient in a dish.

Our Cheese Department staff can advise you on how to prepare, enjoy, and store a truffle purchase, while they last! And if you are not quite ready to fully ‘invest’ in a truffle, here are some outstanding items that will provide you with truffle flavor you can enjoy throughout the holiday season!

Note: Prices in effect from December 8-14, 2021 at all four Oliver’s Market locations.

La Rustichella Black Truffle Pate 3.2 oz. Jar $11.99/Ea. La Rustichella Black Truffle Pate is a divine blend of fresh black truffles, champignon, and porcini mushrooms. Remarkably flavorful, this pate will add the unparalleled earthy aroma, that only truffles can, to all your favorite dishes. Mix it into risottos, toss with handmade pasta, or blend with butter to top o steaks.

La Rustichella White Truffle Pate 3.2 oz. Jar $13.99/ea. La Rustichella crafts this fabulous pate with aromatic White Truffles, Champignon, and porcini mushrooms. White Truffles lend their unique delicate aroma with hints of garlic. Ready to enjoy on its own or fold into your favorite dishes.

Bergamino di Bufala al Tartufo $29.99/lb. A fluffy white square of indulgent buffalo milk cheese is elevated with a layer of rich Italian mascarpone mixed with Italian Black Truffles. An incredible experience of silky texture and bold umami flavor come together to make one of the best cheeses we have tasted this year!

Giuseppe Giusti Riccardo Balsamic Vinegar with Truffle $12.99/lb. Infused with Italian Black Truffle, this extraordinarily rich and thick aged balsamic vinegar starts from a selection of the most precious grapes, cooked over a low flame, and left to age in antique barrels. Elevate any dish with a drizzle!

Torres Selecta Black Truffle Premium Potato Chips $5.99/ea. Delightfully crisp, these artisan potato chips are elevated with shavings of bold Black truffle. The highly sought after and inimitable Black Truffle takes an ordinary chip to an extraordinary level. The best part is that this delicious snack is ready to enjoy! Just open the bag and dive in.

Sabatino Tartufi Truffle Crisps $4.99/ea. These delightfully crunchy crisps are artisanally crafted with Black Summer Truffles. A perfect snack on their own dip into rich triple crème cheese.

Ritrovo Selections Casina Rossa Truffle and Salt. 3.5 oz. Jar $17.99/ea. A flavor sensation, this Italian salt contains 5% Italian Black Truffles. Finish your dishes with a burst of authentic Black Truffle flavor.

Moliterno al Tartufo $19.99/Lb. From the Italian island of Sardinia comes this raw sheep’s milk cheese infused with Italian black truffles. This rich buttery pecorino has a delicious, developed character on its own with ribbons of truffle running throughout the paste to elevate the flavor to new heights.

Treur Organic Truffle Gouda $19.99/lb. Hailing from the Netherlands and aged just 8 weeks, this creamy gouda is crafted from organic cow’s milk raised on family farms. Italian black truffles infuse the supple paste with an intoxicatingly rich earthy aroma. Delicious to enjoy on a cheeseboard or melt it into mac and cheese, potato gratin, or anywhere you want a burst of rich umami flavor.

Housemade Truffle Marcona Almonds $7.99/Lb. Known as the “Queen of Almonds” Marconas are Spain’s most unique almond. Peeled and fried in sunflower oil, we give them the royal treatment by tossing them in our own secret blend of truffle seasoning.

In whatever way you choose to enjoy them, truffles are a miracle of nature and worth discovering, so do the truffle shuffle to Oliver’s this week and find your own truffle bliss!

Take the Umami Express: Celebrate Truffle Season at Oliver’s

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