What Are Chocolate Truffles?
INTRODUCTION:
“For some there is therapy, for the rest of us there is CHOCOLATE.”
Chocolate is one delicacy that no one can refuse. The chocolate industry has been busy entertaining consumers by introducing creative delicacies with each being tastier and more exquisite than the previous. One such miracle happens to be “The Chocolate Truffle”.
WHAT ARE CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES AND WHAT DO REAL TRUFFLES CONTAIN
Ever wondered where do chocolate truffles get their name from? Well, “truffle” is derived from a LATIN word meaning “Lump”. Truffles are named after the mushrooms with the similar name because of the striking resemblance they share. The first chocolates were made in a crude way to look like the lumps... truffle lumps: originally called Truffles Chocolate referencing the look and what these truffles are made of: chocolate.
Source: https://www.reluctantgourmet.com/chocolate-or-mushroom-truffles/
Truffles (lump type- above right in the image - a type of mushroom) belong to a family of fungi that grow underground, mostly under Oak, Hazel, and Poplar trees. Since they grow underground, it was difficult to locate them. In earlier times, farmers used pigs to hunt this fungal growth as they could smell them easily. However, mushrooms proved to be the pig’s favorite cuisine and farmers hardly got any for themselves. Nowadays, dogs are specially trained to sniff out these mushrooms as they are trained to sniff any other drug. An added advantage, dogs don’t like these mushrooms so the farmers can keep all of their findings.
Truffles are a big part of savory cuisine. The fruiting body of the mushroom known as the “ASCOMA”, is the part that is used in cooking and most importantly savory cooking.
Homemade chocolate truffles are named after truffles because of the striking resemblance with the original truffle mushrooms. While one is the expensive fungus that grows underneath the oak trees, the other Is the intricate chocolate ganache coated in tempered chocolate as a chocolate coating. These chocolates do not typically contain real truffles the mushroom (until you see our recipe below); although, there is no disagreement about the fact that the chocolate industry has already tried its hands on the chocolate covered mushroom.
The classical recipe of the Homemade Chocolate Truffle includes a ganache which is a mixture of bittersweet chocolate and heavy cream. The classical recipe is experimented with varied ingredients to obtain different flavors.
Source: http://www.thenibble.com/reviews/main/chocolate/chocolate-truffle-history.asp
Ganache for the truffles is made by boiling heavy cream and then pouring the hot cream over chocolate. It is then mixed and chilled, making it either a dense chocolate or gooey center depending on the recipe. The ganache is then shaped in to lumpy balls, not necessarily an ideal sphere, and dusted off with cocoa powder or dipped in semisweet chocolate as the chocolate coating.
Typically, nowadays ganache is flavored or replaced by a number of other fillings such as:
WHO MADE THE FIRST CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE?
This masterpiece creation comes from the culinary brilliance of a French Patisserie. It was likely an accident that became an undoubted luxury resembling a wild fungal mushroom, Truffle. Chocolate truffles when made in the classic way are dark or black in color, irregular shaped and look like they have been dug up just like the mushroom. The nice thing is the rougher and more homemade they look, the better.
Two incidents are reported about the first ever creation.
The first incident involves the French patisserie Louis DuFour. It is said that while making the usual Christmas chocolate treats, which he was making on Christmas eve 1895 in Chambray France, Louis decided he wanted to surprise his customers with something creative and new. In order to pursue this, he made up an exquisite chocolate ganache which he shaped into small spheres. He then rolled the ganache spheres up in Cocoa powder to make them easier to touch and not have melt completely in one's hand. As a result of this creativity, his surprise creation became a delicacy everyone wanted.
The second legend is more importantly related to the creation of Ganache which is nothing more than a scrumptious accident merely caused by Auguste Escoffier’s assistant in 1920. The assistant patisserie had by mistake poured the hot cream he had made into a bowl containing chunks of chocolate. This was perhaps the first ever ganache created. Upon cooling, the chocolate paste could be shaped into balls which he later rolled into Cocoa.
WHAT IS CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE CAKE?
Source: https://thecakeblog.com/2017/02/chocolate-truffle-cake.html
Satisfy your sweet tooth with the mouthwatering taste of a chocolate cake. A layered, dense and moist indulgence of ganache and cake. Just like any other chocolate cake, it is topped with a divine frosting that will take you on the journey of a magical chocolate eating experience. Chocolate truffle cakes regardless of flavor combinations basically contain pure chocolate and cream in a delightful layered experience.
There are numerous versions of this cake. Some bakers like to decorate these cakes by laying little truffle candies on top. Some coat the entire cake with the ganache that they had used as the filling while some include bitter orange syrup to counter the sweetness of the cocoa coating.
The classic truffle cake comes with a simple dusting of cocoa powder. With culinary advancements and boundless ideas, bakers and patisseries have taken the truffle cake to a whole new level. Some are covered in chocolate flakes while others are covered in chocolate sprinkles. They also come coated with either a chocolate glaze or chocolate fondant.
Truffles have become a favorite for almost all chocolate lovers. Chefs and patisseries are continuously evolving this delicacy to bring out the best recipe. Truffles being designed by confectioners for every special occasion with exotic flavors. This exquisite delicacy comes in some unimaginably beautiful packaging to represent the specialness of the finished truffles.
A box of chocolates is undoubtedly a wonderful way to express your feelings for special people in a distinct way.
Source: https://www.harryanddavid.com/h/chocolates-sweets-candy/truffles?flws_rd=1
UPDATE QUESTION: WHAT ARE TRUFFLES CHOCOLATE?
This is a regular question we receive at the chocolate factory. It usually comes as an email. As chocolatier I suspect the question is related to the basic question of what is a truffle? while just being phrased in a different way. I think I answered that question in the above article. But I also think the second possibility for this question is related to the recipe of actual truffles with chocolate. Truffles chocolate in my mind is a chocolate ganache with truffle oil. I've made this delicacy for guests and they always love the exotic savory flavor. The question is What are Truffles Chocolate... a dessert or a savory dish? The nice thing is it works wonderfully as either option. Make a fondue and dip cheese, bread or roll the ganache and make an actual truffle flavored truffle... Truffles Chocolate!
See our guide to making chocolate truffles.
References:
https://thecakeblog.com/2017/02/chocolate-truffle-cake.html
http://www.marthastewart.com/313157/chocolate-truffle-cake
http://letthebakingbeginblog.com/2012/10/truffle-cake/
https://www.chowhound.com/post/chocolate-truffle-cake-586060?page=2
http://www.thenibble.com/reviews/main/chocolate/chocolate-truffle-history.asp
http://www.proflowers.com/blog/what-are-truffles-and-what-country-do-chocolate-truffles-come-from
https://www.santabarbarachocolate.com/chocolatier-jason-vishnefske/