If you've never had black truffle salt before, it can be quite an adventure trying to find the best salt for your cooking needs. Truffles are a type of small black, raisins-like seeds that can be found in the French Alps. These seeds have been used for centuries as a great appetizer or even for flavoring certain foods. But today, salt is making a comeback as a popular food seasoning.
Because there are many different varieties of truffles, you need to learn the basics about each one. For instance, white truffles are generally milder while black truffle salt has a stronger pungent scent and taste. Generally, most black truffle salt you'll find on the market will be produced using black truffle seeds. The kind of salt utilized in each particular truffle will also differ greatly.
Salt has long been thought to have a negative effect on some people. That's because sea salt tends to make people feel tired or sluggish. People are afraid of buying sea salt as well since it has a grayish color that may look like the residue of seaweed. But sea salt is actually very healthy for you. In fact, it helps to regulate blood pressure and heart rate.
Black truffle salt, on the other hand, is high in magnesium and sodium. While magnesium keeps you from feeling too tired, sodium helps to keep your heart from pumping too much blood. These two properties make black truffle salt particularly good for promoting cardiac health. However, it can also help with blood circulation, since it contains potassium and magnesium salts. That's why you can often find the salty form of this good-for-you mineral included in many kinds of culinary dishes.
If you're worried about the color of truffle salt, don't be. While the salt has gotten darker over the years, the flavor is virtually the same as when it was first harvested (and before modern preservation methods). What has changed is the way it's prepared.
Traditionally, black truffle salt was used to season meat and fish. Today, it's used to season just about any food you'd like to put a hint of flavor into. Think of the difference between lightly sauteed veggies or bread with a little truffle sprinkled on top. Now think of herb-flavored spreads, whole-wheat pasta, or fresh, wild-caught mussels. Even the pickiest eater can probably tolerate them if they're not too spicy.
Many chefs are fans of truffles, too. Why not surprise your dinner guests with a decadent truffle soup? Or serve black truffle soup for lunch one day. You might even decide to send them home with some for testing just to see what they'd taste like. They're sure to love them once they've had a chance to try them!
So whether you use it to season foods or to make your own special truffles, you're going to fall in love with this little treat. It's so versatile that you're likely to find it handy to use in a lot of different recipes. Try sprinkling it onto pizza crust, add it to soups and stews and turn up the heat with your pasta recipes. Don't forget that it's just as great for dessert recipes as it is for cooking. You can use it to add texture and flavor to baked apples and even top your cupcakes with it! Give it a try and see what you think.
There are a few other reasons why adding black truffle salt to your cooking is a smart move. Because it adds a unique flavor to whatever you're cooking, it helps prevent food from burning. When it comes to seasoning fish, poultry, vegetables, and just about any other food, this salt works wonders. It also works great to help seal in those flavors in meats so that you don't end up with a wet, soggy steak.
Don't worry if you're not a big fan of the stuff. You can still enjoy lots of varieties of truffles. The smaller ones made by companies such as Assconi or Pigna are much less expensive than the bigger ones produced by France's Gevalia. For example, you could garnish your pasta or put it on top of lasagna (but don't drop the beans!
The bottom line? Even if you don't care for it, black truffle salt is a worthy addition to your kitchen pantry. Its versatility will enable you to enjoy many meals, both tastefully and healthily. Why not start shopping for some today? Your senses will definitely be surprised!