I was shopping in Central Market and saw they have White and Black Truffles in stock in the produce section. Few ingredients in cooking get us frothed up like Truffles. Historically, dogs and pigs were used to find them. The dogs weren’t as proficient, but the pigs tended to eat the prize after they found it. Not good for business.
How many times do you get to buy something at the market for $200/lb! The end result? They were not that good. Almost no truffle taste to them. I’m not sure if they had just sat too long or if they were too mild to start out with. These were from the West Coast, which tend to be on the lighter side to start with. Another item that I can cross off my list of things to do before I die. Now, that leaves French and Italian Truffles.
The white truffles have nothing in common with the Alba Truffle other than the color. True Italian white truffles are like nothing else on earth and at $200/oz, they had better be!
I figured that. The West coast ones, I have heard and tasted, are on the weaker side. So, hook me up! Where do you get yours?
Ah, Er, sorry — didn’t see your question until just now. White truffles (the true ones from Alba) aren’t available in Austin. We are too far down the food chain, I guess. I have heard that some places in Houston and Dallas get them, but there is so much fraud in the entire truffle business that I am wary of dealing with people I don’t really know. If you’re back in NYC during truffle season, there are several reliable places to purchase them, but expect to pay between $150 and $200/oz.