Truffle-oil

/ˈtrʌfəl ɔɪl/ noun

Definition

Oil infused with truffle flavor, either from real truffles or synthetic truffle compounds. Used as a luxury finishing oil to add earthy, mushroom-like flavors to dishes.

Etymology

From Old French 'truffle' (truffle) and Latin 'oleum' (oil). The commercial production of truffle oil began in the 1980s, though most modern truffle oil uses synthetic compounds rather than real truffles.

Kelly Says

Most commercial truffle oil contains zero actual truffles - it's made with synthetic 2,4-dithiapentane, the same compound that gives truffles their aroma! Real truffle oil, made by infusing oil with actual truffle shavings, has a much more complex flavor but costs exponentially more and has a very short shelf life.

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