What is a truffle?
Truffles are small, often round candies, made of chocolate ganache (a mixture of chocolate and cream), often coated with chocolate, cocoa powder or nuts.
You will find all our truffle recipes at the bottom
Basic Ingredients
Can I store truffles for a long time?
- Refrigerator: About 1-2 weeks in an airtight container.
- Freezer: Up to 2 months. Let them thaw slowly in the fridge.
- Room: Up to 2 days, depending on ambient temperature and ingredients.
What is the difference between truffles and pralines?
- Truffles are made from a soft ganache and usually rolled in cocoa or chocolate.
- Pralines are chocolate candies with a hard exterior and a filling, such as nuts, caramel, or ganache.
Who discovered the truffle?
The origins of chocolate truffles can be traced back to the late 19th century in France. The invention of the first chocolate truffle is attributed to the French pastry chef Louis Dufour. The story goes that in 1895, in Chambéry, he ran out of traditional Christmas ingredients. To create something special, he mixed cream with chocolate, which led to the base of the ganache. He formed this mixture into small spheres and rolled them in cocoa powder, creating the appearance of the truffle we know today. This simple yet genius invention quickly gained popularity and spread all over the world. Over the years, chocolatiers have experimented with different ingredients and techniques, leading to a wide variety of truffles.
Why are chocolate truffles called “truffles”?
The name “truffles” for these chocolate delicacies is inspired by their outward resemblance to the real truffles, the precious fungal fungi that grow underground. This parable includes:
- Shape and Texture: Just like real truffles, chocolate truffles have a rough, irregular shape. The first chocolate truffles were rolled by hand, resulting in a spherical shape reminiscent of the natural, tuberous truffles.
- Appearance: The traditional finish of chocolate truffles with a layer of cocoa powder adds to their resemblance to real truffles, which are often covered in soil and have a rough texture.
Thus, the name “truffle” for these chocolate treats is a direct reference to their outward similarities to the underground mushrooms, and not to the ingredients or taste. This appellation emphasizes the elegance and luxury of chocolate truffles, and connects them with the exclusivity of real truffles.