Black truffles better than white! I wish it were true as black truffles are about half the price. Checking online shows $70 an ounce for black and $150 an ounce for white. White truffles are sublte and delicate where black are comparatively coarse in flavour.
Sadly both are too expensive for me - I've settled for making my own foie gras this year. That followed by capon should set the world to rights.
It's all gone quiet over there.....
You're not far out, Paolo : about 100 years ago tons (literally) of truffles were "harvested" each year in southern France & were eaten by the "paysans". Only a fraction of these amounts is found today & the price reflects this scarcity. I agree with you on the taste of black truffles & have often wondered if we were being served Chinese imports (otherwise, why the hype?) - but Alan points out that Provencale truffles are inferior to those in the south-west, so maybe all Provencale truffles taste like wood......
In Italy (beware, Tony!) the truffle is grated over the plate in restaurants : each "grate" costs many euros & is counted aloud by the waiter. Best to be invited by friends who have their own truffle source.
Alexia.
http://perfectplaces.com/VictorianVilla.htm
http://perfectplaces.com/BeautifulOliveMill.htm.
In Italy (beware, Tony!) the truffle is grated over the plate in restaurants : each "grate" costs many euros & is counted aloud by the waiter. Best to be invited by friends who have their own truffle source.
Alexia.
http://perfectplaces.com/VictorianVilla.htm
http://perfectplaces.com/BeautifulOliveMill.htm.