In this Blog Post, we will bring you with us to Italy, where our friends from Le Ife are expert truffles hunters. We will follow them in the woods at dawn with their dogs searching for this precious product and discover how they preserve these delicate culinary gems to create the amazing Truffle jars you can find on Bella Italia.
First of all, what is a truffle?
Strictly speaking, a truffle is a fungus. Truffles are ectomycorrhizal fungi, so are usually found near tree roots and this is where the refined sense of smell of dogs comes in hand. These incredible dogs are trained to locate truffles underground and are the most loyal companions in this modern treasure hunt - and truffles are really a buried treasure when you consider their value: the largest truffle in the world was sold for $61,000 at a Sotheby’s auction in 2014.
There is a reason why truffles are so expensive though: to this day they are a wild product, not something you can cultivate or control, and finding them requires highly skilled and trained dogs. It is definitely worth its price!
Let’s meet Le Ife!
Le Ife is a truffle company founded in Capracotta, a small village in the mountains of Molise. Here expert and enthusiastic men do their best to extract one of the most prestigious fruits that nature offers: the truffle.
Molise is a small and uncontaminated region situated in the middle of Italy. The low density of the population and the poor industrialization allowed the total protection of the natural environment. These peculiar conditions make Molise rich in mushrooms and truffles and the secret spots to find these rare delicacies have been passed on from one generation to the next.
Turning a passion into a company
Truffles are rare and delicate and, in order to preserve them, Le Ife studied and experimented for years with traditional and innovative methods, reaching the highest standards of quality.
When the fresh truffles reach their laboratory they are selected and separated according to their size and their species. From this moment, every kind of product is processed in a different way:
- fresh truffles will be stored in jars with water and salt
- in order to get “carpacci” and “brecce”, truffles will be sliced and stored with extra virgin olive oil and salt
- for obtaining creams, truffles will be ground in a special machine (Cutter).
Only selected fresh raw materials and high tech machines are used to guarantee hygiene, quality and freshness. Moreover Le Ife truffles are packed without using any artificial preservatives in order to preserve their original delicate taste.
Bring Le Ife to your kitchen!
Le Ife’s products are simple to use, can enrich any kind of pasta, eggs and meat and are ideal to serve on a gourmet bruschetta.
The Carpaccio of black Truffle or the Whole Black Truffle will transform your simple pasta dishes in an Italian masterpiece. The Honey with White Truffle is perfect in combination with fresh cheeses such as ricotta and the Butter with White Truffle will enhance even the simplest bruschetta.
To discover more and turn your dinner parties in an incredible culinary journey to Italy you just have to try these delicacies and enjoy the taste of authentic Italian truffles!
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