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kairosdreaming's review against another edition
4.0
*This book was received as an Advanced Reviewer's Copy from NetGalley.
Most people go crazy for truffles. It's just a fact (and I know some of you are reading this and going, uh no, it's disgusting; but well, the majority like it, so I'm sticking with it's just a fact). There's something primal, earthy about the taste that we can't get enough of. Or at least I thought. Turns out most of the truffle experiences we've had have been added chemicals to produce scent or flavor as a lot of truffles themselves don't have long shelf lives. Sure, you can find some products out there (and Jacobsen provides a nice resource reference at the end for this; alas the one I was going to order from was out of stock), but they're not the easiest to get outside of fine dining.
But that's ok, this book helps you identify and recognize not only pure products (and I should say I'm not disparaging the added flavor/scent chemicals, I'll take those on my popcorn any day), but also understand the history of the truffle industry and just why they command the price that they do.
He takes us through many different countries and practices, from Italy, to France, to Croatia and other surprising areas. My favorite chapter was the one about the USA and while homegrown truffles haven't really been on the menu (hopefully changing). Especially since a very special truffle is found in my region (if one has the dog to help find it that is). Whiel this information can get kind of repetitive between chapters (go to country, follow dog, hear how it's not been a great truffle year), the underlying information itself was good and I really got a better sense of all the questions and lore surrounding truffles.
I also like that there were some breaks in between this to talk about the research and development (inoculated truffle trees) used for trying to farm truffles; a traditionally difficult task.
This is definitely a book for either those who love truffles or those who love food history/origin stories.
Review by M. Reynard 2021
Most people go crazy for truffles. It's just a fact (and I know some of you are reading this and going, uh no, it's disgusting; but well, the majority like it, so I'm sticking with it's just a fact). There's something primal, earthy about the taste that we can't get enough of. Or at least I thought. Turns out most of the truffle experiences we've had have been added chemicals to produce scent or flavor as a lot of truffles themselves don't have long shelf lives. Sure, you can find some products out there (and Jacobsen provides a nice resource reference at the end for this; alas the one I was going to order from was out of stock), but they're not the easiest to get outside of fine dining.
But that's ok, this book helps you identify and recognize not only pure products (and I should say I'm not disparaging the added flavor/scent chemicals, I'll take those on my popcorn any day), but also understand the history of the truffle industry and just why they command the price that they do.
He takes us through many different countries and practices, from Italy, to France, to Croatia and other surprising areas. My favorite chapter was the one about the USA and while homegrown truffles haven't really been on the menu (hopefully changing). Especially since a very special truffle is found in my region (if one has the dog to help find it that is). Whiel this information can get kind of repetitive between chapters (go to country, follow dog, hear how it's not been a great truffle year), the underlying information itself was good and I really got a better sense of all the questions and lore surrounding truffles.
I also like that there were some breaks in between this to talk about the research and development (inoculated truffle trees) used for trying to farm truffles; a traditionally difficult task.
This is definitely a book for either those who love truffles or those who love food history/origin stories.
Review by M. Reynard 2021
mybestfriendisabook's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
4.5
I know nothing about truffles, other than that it’s an expensive delicacy, and found this an interesting informative read. Truffles are expensive because we build them up to be and they require thoughtful care and patience to grow. The pages of images showcasing the truffles were cool. Plenty of resources and recipes at the end. Having the dogs as one one of the star players in the truffle game and traveling along with the author to different truffle based made it fun. It was conversational and not jargon-filled.
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