Storing and using truffles and dried mushrooms

Truffles in a jar and dried mushrooms can be stored at room temperature. They do not require a refrigerator or any rush: a jar will last for years, dried mushrooms for one to two years. That changes once opened, and then it is mainly a question of how quickly you use them.

Truffles in a jar

Keep the unopened jar in a cool, dark, dry place at room temperature. The shelf life is stated on the jar; for sterilized truffles, this is usually three to four years after production.

Once opened, the jar should be kept in the refrigerator and the truffles should be used within a few days. The liquid in the jar is truffle juice: leave the truffle in it until you need it, and use the juice in your sauce or risotto.

Sterilized truffle is eaten warm but not cooked. Add it at the last moment; it loses its aroma quickly above 50 °C.

Count on 10 to 15 grams of truffle per person.

Dried mushrooms

Store the bag airtight in a cool, dark, dry place. As long as the mushrooms do not get damp, they will retain their aroma until the date on the package.

Soak them in lukewarm water for twenty to thirty minutes. They come out about four times as heavy. Do not discard the soaking liquid: strain it and use it in your broth or sauce, because much of the flavour is in it.

 

For a risotto for four people, count on 25 to 30 grams of dried porcini mushrooms.

What carries the scent

Truffles and mushrooms give up their aroma to fat and heat. Butter, cream, egg yolk, and potatoes absorb this aroma; water does not. That is why truffles are best enjoyed in a risotto, pasta with butter, scrambled eggs, or mashed potatoes.