Truffle Oil: The Full Truth

Can't kick your craving for tartufo? Truffles are available only a few months a year. Naturally infused truffle oil makes the wait easier, as long as it contains real truffles.

Why Eataly loves truffles

In Italy, this earthy, aromatic ingredient goes by many names: "a fairy apple," "a diamond of the kitchen" and "the gem of poor lands." During fresh truffle season, Eataly receives its shipment from Urbani Tartufi, an esteemed Italian distributor.

Each year, Urbani sources fresh truffles from regional truffle hunters in Italy. They forage the wild tubers in the woods, following age-old traditions.

Truffle season

When the truffles arrive, chefs and home cooks alike rush to get their hands on one. The shavings add robust aromas and delicate flavors to pasta, risotto, meat and fish. As soon as peak season hits, Eataly starts working the prized ingredient into menus and markets across the world. When the season ends, the wait for the next harvest can last months.

Why terroir matters

A truffle's aroma is a bouquet of many scents, shaped entirely by where the truffle grows. Truffles from Umbria might smell and taste more garlicky. Truffles from Piemonte might be more delicate, even floral. This terroir exists only in natural truffles, which is why you can taste the difference in naturally infused truffle products.

What is in most truffle oil

The rumors are true: the majority of truffle oil isn't made with truffles. The main ingredient is often a chemical designed in a laboratory to mimic truffle aroma (synthetic 2,4-dithiapentane). The result is an overly pungent oil that falls flat on any dish.

How Urbani makes it with real truffles

Eataly searched for a solution and found one. Urbani developed a patented method to infuse the finest extra virgin olive oil with genuine truffles. The white truffle olive oil has a short ingredient list:

• Italian extra-virgin olive oil
• White truffle extract
• Natural flavor
• White truffles (Tuber magnatum pico)

That's it. The result is a high-quality truffle oil with the authentic aromas and deep flavors of a real truffle. A few drops give any plate an unforgettable final touch.