Truffle oil is made by infusing extra-virgin olive oil with white truffle essence, black truffle essence, or both. Truffle oil should be used as a finishing oil because heat kills its flavor. Truffles are a kind of fungus. Black truffles have an intensely earthy aroma and a lingering taste, and white truffles are lightly fragrant with a delicate and subtle flavor.
This fungus is considered culinary gold due to its short harvest season during late fall and early winter and minimal yield. As one of the world’s most expensive and highly prized foods, truffles add a luxurious flavor to any dish, making it hard to take any topping or side dish off the menu. However, many truffle oils and powders sold today are simply not worth their price tags.
While a little bit of truffle oil goes a long way, you can still easily overdo it, making it one of the most expensive ingredients you can add to your dish. If you are a novice cook, there’s a high chance you “over-truffle” your dish. It leads to wasted food, and if you’re trying to make a cheap dish taste like a premium dish, you can quickly end up with a dish that costs more than it should.
When buying truffle oil, you want to make sure you use the highest quality oil with real truffles. And when it comes to cooking with truffle oil, you should keep the following tips in mind.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| TruffleHunter Truffle Oil Selection Gift Set | Best Overall |  |
| Mantova Grand Aroma Truffle Delight Extra Virgin Olive Oil | Budget Pick |  |
| TruffleHunter Black & White Truffle Oil Set Double Concentrate Real Truffle Pieces – | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. TruffleHunter Truffle Oil Selection Gift Set
Pros:
- Highest-quality truffles
- Cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil/rapeseed oil
- 3 different truffle varieties: Black Truffle Oil, White Truffle Oil & English Truffle Oil
- Perfect for pasta, pizza, polenta, and more
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Kosher
- Gluten-Free
- 16-month shelf life
- Amazing gift set
Cons:
- Few users find the flavor too strong and artificially flavored
- Rancid taste
- Chemical taste
If you want to try different truffle oils at a fair price, Truffle Hunter is the best deal you can get on the market. You can pick a three-pack with three different kinds of truffle oil here for about the price of one bottle of premium oil. The sets come in a nice-looking case that is great for gift-giving and costs lower than individual bottles.
2. TruffleHunter White Truffle Oil
Pros:
- European white truffles
- Cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil
- Rich in nutrients
- No preservatives
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Kosher
- Gluten-Free
- Nut free
- 16 months shelf life
- Ideal for pasta, salads, pizza, popcorn, popcorn shrimp, and more
Cons:
- Users complain of chemical taste
- Artificial taste and aroma
If you want to taste what truffle oil is meant to taste, you need to go for the real deal like the TruffleHunter White Truffle Oil. Forget about the artificial ones. A few drops of this pure, four times distilled, extra virgin olive oil infused with truffle pieces are enough to add a powerful yet elegant taste to your dish.
3. Italian White Truffle Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Pros:
- Chemical-free, all-natural
- USDA organic
- More than 200 polyphenols in extra virgin olive oil
- White Truffle from Italy
- A truly unique culinary experience
- Smooth texture
Cons:
- Users find the taste weird and unnatural
- Poor packaging
If you are a fan of Italian cuisine and enjoy all of the different flavors that Italy has to offer, then Italian White Truffle Oil may be the best option for you. The distinct taste that you get when you cook with the oil is so immersive and satisfying. When you are using flavored truffle oil, the world becomes your oyster. The only thing that matters is that you enjoy your food and appreciate the different flavors that come from cooking with this product.
4. Roland Foods Black Truffle Oil
Pros:
- Intense earthy flavor, highly fragrant
- Vegan, vegetarian, and GMO-free
- Add to a variety of dishes and sauces
- Black truffles are grown in Italy and then imported
- Produced in Italy
- High in antioxidants
Cons:
- It might be too intense for some people
- Almost entirely olive oil, with only a single "flake" of truffle
It’s well worth the extra money to invest in black truffle oil from Roland Foods. Roland Foods is a producer in Italy that goes to extraordinary lengths to craft its signature oil. The flavor of this ink-black elixir is unlike any other truffle product. Because Roland infuses their oil with actual pieces of black truffle, the taste is incredible and nearly addictive.
5. TruffleHunter Black & White Truffle Oil Set Double Concentrate Real Truffle Pieces –
Pros:
- Delicate flavor
- Twice the strength of regular truffle oil
- 13 months shelf life
- Cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Kosher
- Gluten-free
- Nut free
Cons:
- Oil is a little bitter
- Flavor is overpowering
RobustBlack Truffle Oil’s health benefits flavor and odor. Users recommend diluting it.
Truffle Hunter claims to shave the highest quality truffles and expertly blend them with their unique flavor & cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil. Cold-pressing produces less oil than heated pressing but ensures that the delicate flavors & aromas are not damaged. A few drops will bring dishes to life.
6. Mantova Grand Aroma Truffle Delight Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Pros:
- Made in Italy
- Cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil infused with truffle extract
- All-natural, non-GMO, trans-fat-free, and gluten-free
- Heart-healthy fatty acids and antioxidants
Cons:
- Minimal truffle flavor
- Unsettling over a week after opening
The Mantova Grand's Black Truffle Oil is a product you should consider purchasing if you value the health benefits a Black Truffle Oil has to offer.
Value-wise, this Black Truffle Oil costs more than the other brands, but the quality you get is well worth the price. Because it is 100% pure, you can assure yourself that you will get an authentic flavor tasting experience.
7. Santini, Black Truffle Oil
Pros:
- 100% extra virgin olive oil infused with black truffles
- Pungent forest-like aroma and flavor
- Compliments pastas, meats and fish dishes.
Cons:
- Tastes like olive oil with a tiny hint of truffle
- Not the best truffle oil
If you’re a fan of all things truffle, you have to try Santini Truffle Oil. The super-black color and the earthy aroma of this oil aren’t a result of any coloring techniques or additives. They’re the characteristic features of the black truffle, just preserved in the oil.
This preserved gift of nature is as fresh and lively as when it was picked from the ground. It’s a product of sustainable agriculture, and it’s 100% natural.
8. White Truffle Oil SUPER CONCENTRATED 200ml
Pros:
- 100% natural
- A 'tea method’ is utilized to steeps the ripe truffles for extended periods in olive oil
- No extracts or chemicals
- Made in Italy
Cons:
- Strong chemical smell
- Overwhelming garlic flavor
The SUPER CONCENTRATED 200ml (7oz) white truffle oil is our top pick for those of you who love truffle oil. It’s made with 100% local Italian ingredients. This truffle oil is a little bit above the rest as it’s in liquid form. This allows you to add the perfect amount of truffle oil to your dishes.
9. White Truffle Oil 8.4 fl oz
Pros:
- Contains pieces of Bianchetto truffle inside
- Earthy flavor and is used sparingly
- Suitable for all kinds of pasta, meats, vegetables, and everything in between
Cons:
- Reviews are mixed, noted to be great for some and not so great for others
- Not the best out there
White truffles are one of the most valuable food items in the world. It has the power to transform an average chicken into a legendary dish with a single shave. However, white truffles are also rarer than their black and brown cousins, making them expensive.
Terre di Tartufo's White Truffle Oil can instantly elevate even the slightest bite with truffled magic. This little bottle of white gold is expensive, but a little goes a long way, or in this case, a lot.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best black truffle oil?
TruffleHunter Black Truffle Oil is a great starter option for those who want to experiment with black truffle oil without spending too much.
What flavors go well with truffle oil?
Truffle oil can be applied to a variety of items. We've listed some great possibilities below:
- Pasta with fresh quail egg
- Crispy arancini
- Polenta with parmesan
- Baked corn with mozzarella
- Pizza with mozzarella
- Eggs
- French fries
- French toast with cream
- Omelette
- Fried rice
- Potato chips (French fries)
- Salads
- Grilled steak
- Steak sandwiches
- Spaghetti
- Fried rice
- Chicken wings
- Roasted salmon
- Baked fish
I'm sure there are numerous other foods we don't have on this list. Feel free to share other suggestions with us as you try using truffle oil.
Is Urbani Truffle Oil real?
Simply put, it is the best. It is buttery, flavorful, and decadent.
It's great on pasta, steaks, polenta, and pizza. It makes pizza better, pasta amazing, and I even use it in salad dressing or on appetizers and eggs.
It does go bad, so keep an eye on the expiration date on the bottle.
Whats more expensive white or black truffle?
White truffle oil can be significantly cheaper than black truffle oil. And while white truffle oil is still delicious, it doesn't pack the same punch of pungency and flavor as the real thing. By using truffle oil, you can transform the basic ingredients into something luxurious and delicious.
Conclusion
The world of gourmet cooking is getting better with every passing day. With fresh ideas and new products flooding the market every day, it may seem like an altogether daunting experience. But that’s not the case.
We have done a lot of work to help you understand what to look for in products like Truffle Oil. We ensure that you have all the information necessary to make an informed decision when you’re faced with the option to buy Truffle Oil.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| TruffleHunter Truffle Oil Selection Gift Set | Best Overall | |
| Mantova Grand Aroma Truffle Delight Extra Virgin Olive Oil | Budget Pick | |
| TruffleHunter Black & White Truffle Oil Set Double Concentrate Real Truffle Pieces – | Upgrade Pick | |