The Basics Of Cooking Truffles Aside from the fact that truffles are rare, intensive and slow to harvest, truffles also provide a delicate and earthly flavour which makes it a jewel in the culinary world. And a jewel comes with a price. A pound usually costs from hundreds or thousands of dollars. But the culinary experience and delight that one gets from them is truly worth it. Yes, truffles have been used for centuries not only as a delicacy or natural medicine. Their alluring aroma stirs a sensual feeling, so it s little wonder that truffles are regarded as the culinary counterpart of sex. That strong and earthy truffle smell casts its magic spell, making this mushroom irresistible to truffle fans. Contrary to common conception, truffles the fungi type does not refer to the chocolate-covered truffles a confectionary that is loved by many. In fact, connecting truffles to chocolate is one of the misconceptions about the mushroom because these two are not related at all. Truffles refer to a rare and edible mushroom. The Chinese variety has weaker flavor, while the Italian variety has more culinary significance. Keep that in mind when you shop for truffles. To know the difference, smell them. The Italian truffle has a stronger odor. Clean the truffles first before eating them. Wash them with water and brush them softly to remove soil that s stuck in them. Are They Poisonous? Practically all truffle mushrooms are safe to eat, though only a few varieties are used as delicacies. The edible part of the mushroom is just the fruit of the fungus, not the entirety of it. What you must be wary about when hunting truffle mushrooms is the false truffle type, which is not safe for human consumption. This is also quite expensive because this variety can only be found in the P rigord region in France. It is also found in oak trees unlike other types that can be found in other types of trees. Black Truffles are hunted from late autumn to early winter. During these seasons, Black Truffles grow at their best ranging from 7 to 9 centimeters in diameter and could weigh from 80 grams to 100.