Truffle is a versatile seasoning – its unique flavour and aroma crown all kinds of dishes

Truffle is one of the most expensive foods, and its high price is explained by how difficult it is to obtain. Truffles grow underground only at certain latitudes, in unspoilt forests, among the roots of oak and hazel trees. Finding them takes both a skilled hunter and a trained dog.

Truffle is at its best fresh, on the day it is gathered or a few days afterwards. Whole, freshly gathered truffles can be grated or shaved directly over the dish. Fresh truffles arrive at Olivo from Piedmont every week.

“The intense, unique aroma and mild flavour bring out the natural flavours of many dishes. Truffle is typically used to season simple pastas, risottos and egg dishes, for example, because truffle dissolves into the fat in the food, as aromatic seasonings generally do.”

Truffle is also excellent for elevating pizza, meat dishes and, for example, fried potatoes. In all its forms it's best added to freshly cooked food just before serving, as it doesn't tolerate much heating.

“Add truffle carefully, because it's a seasoning. Truffle oil, for example, is added at about a teaspoon per person. It's always easier to add flavour than to take it away.”

Olivo's shopkeeper Anne Parkkinen recommends that you also boldly try different truffle products made from real truffle.

Explore Olivo's truffle products >>

Read more about truffles – many home cooks have fallen for the unique flavour >>

About 70 truffle species are known worldwide, around thirty of which grow in Europe. Wild truffles have even been found in Finland, but they are rare here.

The white truffle from Alba in Italy is the most expensive variety. It is also the most delicate and should be used within 1–2 days of being found, so high-quality white truffle is quite a rare delicacy in Finland. The most common European truffle species are the black summer truffle and the black truffle available in late autumn or early winter.

“Fresh truffles and high-quality truffle products made from real truffle are not yet widely available in Finland, but the number of truffle lovers keeps growing. Every week Olivo sends fresh truffles and small packages of truffle products to many places around Finland, straight to food lovers' kitchens.”