White Truffles: Elite, Natural and a Culinary Delight!

Author: Rick Petrocelly, Owner of The Olive Tap

The unmistakable flavor and impact of White Truffles (Tuber magnatum), also known as Italian Alba Winter Truffles,  is something very special and unique in the culinary world. True Italian White Truffles are indeed rare, and as a result they have been ranked among the “Top Ten Exclusive and Rare Foods” from around the world. Positioned ahead of Caviar, Kobe Beef, Matsutake Mushrooms, Yubari Melon and Saffron, they are among the most elite of natural products.

Unfortunately, buying White Truffles is no easy chore outside of Italy, and in the U.S., from recent research, are often sold out. And at a price of over $9,500* per pound, purchasing even a small pecan-sized 1 oz White Truffle for about $249.99* can be an expensive proposition for a single meal. This is pricing research conducted as of July 2025.

So What Exactly are White Truffles

White Truffles are a rare and highly prized type of edible fungus, specifically the fruiting body of the species Tuber magnatum Pico. Here’s a clearer breakdown of what they are and why they’re so special:

• Scientific Name: Tuber magnatum Pico
• Type: Subterranean fungi (they grow underground)
• Appearance: Pale cream to light brown skin with marbled white interior veins
• Aroma: Intensely earthy, garlicky, musky—far stronger and more complex than typical mushrooms
• Flavor: Delicate yet pungent, slightly garlicky with deep umami notes
• Harvesting: White truffles are harvested using trained dogs that sniff out the truffles' unique scent in the soil. The dogs, along with their handlers (known as "trifolao" in Italian), search areas known for truffle growth, typically under trees like oak, hazelnut, and linden. Once a dog indicates the location of a truffle, the handler carefully digs it out, ensuring it remains intact. 

Its Unmistakable Aroma and Taste is Captured for Year-Round Access & Affordability

While the aroma and flavor of White Truffle are unique, they have been described by some as having a mushroom-like, garlicky, and earthy character. Using White Truffle pieces in a dish is a culinary highlight, but at such a high price is not very practical for the average home cook. Furthermore, White Truffles from Northern Italy are seasonal (harvested in the fall and early winter), and perishable, losing their flavor and texture in a week or less.

In order to make the flavor of White Truffle available outside the growing region and as a year-round product, it was historically made as an infusion where small bits of White Truffle were allowed to steep in a quality olive oil. This made the White Truffle flavor available year-round and now affordable for many home chefs to now enjoy!

Just a few years after opening our first Olive Tap, I had several conversations with food writer and cookbook author Eugenia Bone about Truffle Oil. Eugenia had written a book titled Mycophilia: Revelations from the Weird World of Mushrooms, and was doing an article for The New York Times about Truffles.

From our conversations and by reading her article, I learned that the Truffle itself didn’t have much flavor, and that it was the gas the Truffle gave off that had the flavor. Eugenia educated me about the prolific use of various organic chemicals in most Truffle Oils, and this ultimately sent me on a quest to find White Truffle Olive Oil that was made with real White Truffles and if it was organic, it was even more of a bonus!

Be Alert: Chemical Flavoring vs. The Real Deal...Truffles!

From my research, I learned that in the early 1980’s, a commercial preparation, made by mixing olive oil with various chemical compounds, such as 2,4-dithiapentane, was created. These laboratory-synthesized chemicals mimic the aroma and taste of white truffles.

In an issue of The New York Times, an article called Hocus Pocus and a Beaker of Truffles, by Daniel Patterson was published. Patterson wrote an exposé informing consumers what was already common knowledge among top chefs and in restaurant circles, that the truffle oil they were buying was actually a chemical and oil combination. 

While the article dates back to 2007, Chemically vs. Naturally Flavored Truffle Olive Oil is still present in the industry today. To confirm this further, and with the help of the internet, here is what we found at the time of publishing this article.

So be aware, read the label, ask questions, and know what you are buying. There are many trustworthy retailers, including Gourmet Food Stores, Specialty Food Stores, and of course, our store, The Olive Tap, that carry quality, authentic White Truffle Olive Oil

Check Out Our White Truffle Oil

We are proud to offer a Premium Infused, Organic White Truffle Olive Oil, and sourcing this unique product was no easy feat!  Our White Truffle Olive Oil is not only organic but also:

• 100% Natural with no artificial preservatives, additives, or chemicals.
• Vegan, Gluten-Free and Non-GMO, making it excellent for our customers who have dietary preferences and/or restrictions. 
• Handcrafted in batches to maintain the highest standards and quality.  

For your convenience, here's a brief description of our White Truffle Olive Oil. 

Discover culinary elegance with The Olive Tap’s White Truffle Olive Oil, a luxurious fusion of Premium Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Organic Italian White Truffles. Artisan-crafted in small batches, this gourmet finishing oil delivers a rich, earthy aroma and indulgent flavor that will elevate your cooking to new heights.  Crafted by a new artisan producer, this truffle oil blends buttery, mildly fruity organic olive oil with the unmistakable essence of Italian white truffles—prized for their musky, garlicky aroma and delicate nutty undertones. The result is a decadent infusion that transforms everyday meals into gourmet experiences.

Seasoning with White Truffle Olive Oil

Keep in mind our White Truffle Olive Oil is more of a condiment for flavoring or seasoning foods, and should only be used sparingly.  A little goes a long way. We recommend that you use your White Truffle Olive Oil within 6 -12 months of purchase for the best flavor, and we conveniently offer an appropriately sized 100 ml (3.4 oz) bottle.

Best when drizzled over foods, White Truffle Olive Oil. Too much heat and the flavor will be greatly diminished. Add a few drops to your favorite pasta, rice/risotto dish, eggs, salads, and vegetables. As one writer described it, put it on “just about anything that can benefit from an earthy, garlicky kick”.  Misting French Fries with our White Truffle Oil is absolutely decadent!

White Truffle Olive Oil Recipes & Usage Ideas

For any lover of the distinct, robust aroma and taste of truffles, you will find a multitude of uses with just about any recipe. Here are two of our favorite recipes. 

Truffle Parmesan Popcorn - Take your popcorn to the next level with this simple, yet gourmet recipe. The earthiness of the White Truffle Olive Oil with the nuttiness of the Parmesan Cheese creates an umami flavor that turns an everyday treat into a culinary delight in just minutes!

Truffled Deviled Eggs - Wow your friends and family with the unique recipe for Deviled Eggs! Our White Truffle Olive Oil adds a secret, elegant twist to a casual classic. Guests will come back for more and ask for the recipe.

Create a Spin on Our or Your Favorite Recipes

We have reviewed some of our favorite recipes from our library and felt any one of these recipes can have just a slight twist with a drizzle or two of White Truffle Olive Oil. 

Riserva Caprese Cabobs - Use the EVOO with a drizzle of White Truffle Olive Oil.

Cali Veggie Sandwich - Try it with the Roasted Garlic Olive Oil and also include a pinch of White Truffle Olive Oil.

Mario's Beefeater Risotto - Again, add a twist of White Truffle Olive Oil too!

Creamy Mashed Cauliflower - Finish it with a drizzle of White Truffle Olive Oil.

Classic Olive Tap Vinaigrette - Take a traditional vinaigrette to the next level with a 1/2 teaspoon (or a bit more) of White Truffle Olive Oil!

In Conclusion: Buy Authentic, Use Sparingly and Experiment to Create Twists on Your Culinary Creations

We hope by now you are as excited as we are about our White Truffle Olive Oil. Here are a few of our Tap's Tips to remember...

• Buy authentic
• Use sparingly
• For the best flavor, plan on using it within 6 - 12 months.
• Try a few new recipes and experiment with adaptations to your favorite recipes.
• Tell us and send pictures of your creations and/or even recipes. We will take a look and maybe even add it to our recipe library. Contact Us

Buon appetito!

Rick

*References:
Truffle Price per Pound: https://www.gourmetfoodstore.com/alba-fresh-winter-white-truffles-from-italy-13487
Truffle Price Per Ounce: https://casatruffle.com/products/fresh-white-truffles