11 Best Truffle Oils For Extra Aroma And Flavor In 2024
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Truffle oil is known for its exquisite aroma and flavor, which lend themselves to every meal you cook. Infused with extra-virgin olive oil that contains either white or black truffle essence or both, the best truffle oils are often used as oil for finishing since exposing them to heat takes away their flavor.
Sarah Blair, a culinary wellness expert and coach and founder of Pure Palate, says, “Truffle oil is quite delicate and not used for cooking. If truffle oil is heated at high temperatures, it can become bitter and acidic and taste tarnished. Rather, it should be used as a finishing gloss to enhance the flavor of salads and composed dishes.”
If you’re wondering what truffles are, they are rare and edible fungi similar to mushrooms. However, unlike mushrooms, they grow underground, generally on the roots of trees. They make one of the healthiest additions to your daily meals. Drizzle truffle oil on anything, from homemade pizza or pasta to frittatas and other dishes to elicit a strong, sophisticated, earthy taste that doesn’t overwhelm your senses.
Keep scrolling as we have listed some of the best-selling and highly recommended oil brands to help you pick the right option for your kitchen. However, before diving into the list, let’s understand the difference between white and black truffle oil along with their benefits.
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Black Truffle vs White Truffle Oil
Truffle oils are of two types — black and white. Both types of truffles grow in different seasons. They have a unique flavor that differs from each other but are equally delicious. Black truffle oil adds a strong, pungent truffle flavor to the dish, while white truffle oil lends a subtle taste.
Due to its intense earthy truffle flavor, black truffle oil is often used with sauces, wild mushrooms, red meat, poultry dishes, and salad dressing. On the other hand, white truffle oil has a slight peppery and garlicky taste and can be drizzled over any dish for a delicate truffle flavor.
Health Benefits Of Truffle Oil
Like olive oil, truffle oil also comes under the category of healthy oils. Truffle oil contains polyphenols that are an important component that help fight different kinds of diseases. The use of truffle oil can help in controlling your sugar levels and blood pressure. It lowers cholesterol, protects your liver from damage, reduces inflammation, and fights bacterial infections. As it does not contain any bad fat, truffle oil is beneficial for losing weight and it also prevents skin aging or skin-related problems.
11 Best Truffle Oil Brands For Extra Aroma And Flavor In 2024
1. Best Vegan And Cruelty-Free: Truffle Hunter Truffle Oiwl Selection
This TruffleHunter Truffle Oil Selection box comprises three bottles, which includes white, English, and black truffle oils, which are of different flavors. To make these oils, truffle shavings are blended into the main oil base, which is either cold-pressed extra virgin oil or cold-pressed rapeseed oil. All three truffle oils have different flavors — white truffle oil has a savory, garlicky flavor, black truffle has an earthy yet sophisticated taste, and English truffle oil has a black truffle flavor with an earthy aroma and nutty finish. Interestingly, no nuts are used in making these truffle oils that can be used as dressing, seasoning, or marinade.
Pros
- Kosher
- Vegetarian
- High-quality
- No MSG and non-GMO
- 16-month shelf life
- Vegan and gluten-free
Cons
- Some may find the pungent smell overwhelming.
"This set of three diverse truffle oils has brought variety to my cooking. For instance, I love using the white truffle oil to season delicate dishes and the potent black variant to add an earthiness to flavor-dense dishes. Overall, each bottle adds a distinct character to my dishes."
2. Best Organic: Urbani Truffles Unico White Truffle Oil
This premium gourmet white truffle oil contains white truffles in the bottle and is best used for seasoning marinades. Combined with extra virgin olive oil, this made-in-Italy product is prepared with all-natural ingredients with no chemicals added to it. It contains more than 200 polyphenols, which offer anti-aging and other health benefits. You can use this natural truffle oil with a subtle garlicky flavor as seasoning or dressing on meat, pasta, sauces, risotto, salad, and fish.
Pros
- Organic
- Non-GMO
- Flavor booster
- Contains antioxidant properties
- No artificial preservatives or aroma
Cons
- The flavor might be too subtle.
"With just a few drops of this oil, even foods as bland as popcorn acquire a sophisticated taste. Although have to be mindful about using it sparingly to keep it from becoming overpowering, its nuanced flavor makes it a worthwhile find."
3. Best Antioxidant-Rich: Roland Black Truffle Oil
Popular among professional chefs, this Roland Black Truffle Oil has a strong earthy flavor that can make your dishes aromatic with just a few drops. This widely tested and trusted black aromatic truffle oil is a combination of extra virgin olive oil and summer truffle pieces. Made of natural ingredients, it is rich in essential nutrients like magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, and sodium. This Italian truffle oil is golden in color that adds vibrancy to your food, along with imparting intense flavor and a aroma. Plus, it pairs well with fried dishes like potatoes, meat, and other vegetables.
Pros
- No trans fats
- Antioxidant-rich
- Pocket-friendly
- 24 months shelf life
- Vegan and gluten-free
Cons
- Some may find the strong aroma overpowering
"The oil’s balanced formulation elevates the taste without overshadowing the original flavor of the dish. Therefore, I have been able to add it to everything from pasta and omelets to rice bowls. However, an increase in quantity would be nice."
Truffle Hunter Truffle Oiwl Selection Best Vegan And Cruelty-Free | Urbani Truffles Unico White Truffle Oil Best Organic | Roland Black Truffle Oil Best Antioxidant-Rich | |
---|---|---|---|
Package Dimensions | 8.38 x 7.05 x 2.1 inches | 10.12 x 2.8 x 2.72 inches | - |
Weight | 3.38 Ounces | 8.01 Ounces | 3.4 Ounces |
Dimensions | - | - | 94.49 x 1.57 x 1.57 inches |
Rating | |||
Reviews | 4,910 | 855 | 1,083 |
Price | $34.95 | $42.29 | $10.32 |
4. Best Elegant Aroma: D’Allesandro White Truffle Oil
Featuring a natural and pure truffle flavor and fragrance, this gourmet white truffle oil is made by combining neutral olive oil (base oil) and aroma of white truffles. Pour it in at the end of cooking or drizzle it before serving; this oil brings a subtle and savory taste to your food that enhances the flavor. It can be used as dressing oil on mashed potatoes, salads, soups, pasta, risotto, and cooked vegetables. Also, for rich flavor, you can add this truffle oil to poultry and fish dishes.
Pros
- Kosher
- Gluten-free
- Affordable
- Elegant aroma
Cons
- May not come with a dispenser for easy pouring
"Thanks to this truffle oil's delicious flavors, eating roasted vegetables no longer feels like a chore. Its rich taste makes even the most bland meals taste gourmet. I wish the bottle had a spout to make it easy to dispense, but flavour-wise, it is a hit."
5. Best Kosher: Sabatino Tartufi White Truffle Infused Oil
Marinate, dress, or season your dishes with this Sabatino Tartufi White Truffle Infused Oil, which is a blend of olive oil and truffle flavor that is derived from white truffles. The tried-and-tested natural truffle oil has a distinct earthy and garlicky aroma and taste that works best when drizzled on salads, steaks, fried eggs, risotto, pizza, and pasta. Also, you can use it as an enhancer for sauces. Just a few drops of this transparent finishing truffle oil adds an exquisite flavor to your food.
Pros
- Kosher
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Non-GMO
- Free of soy, dairy, and gluten
Cons
- Some may find the smell too strong.
"Besides being an excellent finishing oil, it has been perfect for marinating my veggies. Some may find its aftertaste strong, but I feel its woody flavor only enhances my dishes' unique aroma and taste."
6. Best Intense Flavor: Calivirgin White Truffle Olive Oil
This outstanding truffle oil contains white Italian truffles from Le Marche, Italy, infused in cold-pressed unfiltered extra virgin olive oil extracted from premium estate-grown olives in California. Using the traditional Agrumato process, these olives are crushed along with white truffles to create an intense flavor. This white truffle oil adds vibrancy to your food, especially grilled fish or roast beef, with its distinct gold color. This luxury oil maintains its authenticity and health standards by not using any chemicals.
Pros
- Non-GMO
- Organic
- Gluten-free
- No trans fats
- No preservatives and additives
Cons
- Expensive truffle oil
"Its blend of white truffles and organic olive oil tastes rich and flavorful. I also appreciate its authentic build, which keeps my dishes from getting that synthetic aftertaste. Plus, a little goes a long way, allowing me to extend the use of one bottle."
7. Best Sodium-Free: La Tourangelle White Truffle Infused Oil
Enhance the flavor of your dishes with a finishing drizzle of this white truffle oil, which is a combination of real white truffle extracts and organic sunflower oil. Similar to the Italian white Alba truffle, this gourmet truffle oil too has complex earthy, woody, and fruity notes. You can add this white truffle infused oil to dishes like meat, pasta, pizza, veggies, soup, and marinades to boost the flavor. Store this oil in the refrigerator after opening and use it on low heat so that it does not lose its distinct flavor and earthy aroma. However, this oil is best used as a finishing oil.
Pros
- Vegan
- Sodium-free
- High-quality
- Expeller-pressed
- Good for health
Cons
- Slightly expensive
8. Best With Italian Ingredients: Mantova Grand’Aroma Truffle Delight
This authentic and rich-in-flavor truffle oil is a combination of cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil and black truffles. Made using genuine Italian ingredients, this Mantova Grand’Aroma Truffle Delight is one of the best organic truffle oils ideal for everyday meals. Just a light drizzle is enough to lend a robust earthy aroma and savory flavor to your dishes. It can be used for marinating, seasoning, dressing, dipping, and sautéing. This expert-approved cholesterol-free oil has several health benefits such as controlling blood pressure, supporting a healthy cardiovascular system, and reducing skin-related problems.
Pros
- Affordable
- High-quality
- No trans fat
- No artificial additives
- Free of sodium, GMO, and gluten
Cons
- Some may find the olive oil flavor overpowering the truffle flavor.
"I love using this olive oil-based truffle oil for cooking and giving an umami and earthy kick to all my homemade pizzas. Its glass bottle and non-drip spout feel like a bonus. Plus, the herb variants of the oil have come in handy for flavoring my dishes."
9. Best Intense Flavor: Silk Route Spice Company White Truffle Oil
This tested and trusted truffle oil is made with extra virgin olive oil from Spain and white truffles to add intense flavor to any dish. Though it is white truffle oil, you will find that its flavor and aroma are more potent than black truffle oil. Preferred by many top chefs, this Silk Route Spice Company White Truffle Oil brings a robust, savory taste to your daily meals. You can use it for cooking at low heat, as cooking this oil at a high heat can take its original flavor away. It is recommended that you use this culinary truffle oil as a finishing drizzle for dressing or seasoning dishes.
Pros
- Affordable
- High-quality
- Sodium-free
- Has health benefits
Cons
- The strong truffle flavor might overpower some dishes.
"The best part about this oil is its pleasing aroma. Its flavor is also intense; hence, I recommend adding just a few drops to maintain the authentic taste of the dish."
10. Best For Rich Taste: Chef Jean Pierre’s White Truffle Oil
Chef Jean Pierre’s White Truffle Oil is made with extra virgin olive oil and shaved white truffles that are steeped in the oil for a long period. This results in a strong flavor of truffle oil. To maintain authenticity and health standards, no chemicals are used in this flavorful oil. It can be used as luxurious finishing component for dishes like fried eggs, risotto, mashed potatoes, and popcorn. Due to its concentrated flavor, only a few drizzles are sufficient to add a rich taste and aroma to your dish.
Pros
- Organic
- High-quality
- Good for health
- No artificial additives
- Comes with a free white truffle salt jar
Cons
- Slightly expensive
"Adding a few drops of this oil to my food makes it taste similar to the ones served in high-end restaurants. Its bottle may not be leak-proof, but storing it with care has reduced the occurrence of spills."
11. Best For Seasoning: The Truffleist Black Truffle Oil
This exquisite black truffle oil adds an intense earthy flavor to any dish. Made with Greek olive oil, authentic truffle essence, and black summer truffles from Northern Italy, this vegan oil is best used for marinating, seasoning, and dressing your food. A small amount is enough to add a robust flavor and aroma to dishes like risotto, pasta, veggies, mac & cheese, fries, salad, and even popcorn. This high-quality and healthy oil is perfect for those who are sugar conscious and prefer low sodium food.
Pros
- Vegetarian
- Dairy-free
- Keto-friendly
- Long shelf life
- Versatile product
Cons
- Slightly expensive
"Adding a small amount of this oil to salads has made them far more enjoyable. I would have liked it to come with a precision nozzle for easier drizzling, but pouring it with a slant has worked well."
How To Choose The Right Truffle Oil?
Finding the right truffle oil is not an easy task. To help you make the right decision, we have listed some guidelines below.
- Type: Truffle oil comes in two colors — black and white. Both have a distinct taste and are used for different purposes. If you want to add a robust flavor to your dish, go for black truffle oil, and if you want a subtle touch, you should opt for white truffle oil as it has a delicate flavor. So while choosing the best truffle oil brand, you should be aware of the two types and their purpose. This will help you pick the right flavor to dress your dishes.
- Oil base: Truffle oils are made by adding real truffle extract to an existing oil base. Therefore, it is important to be aware of what kind of base oil you prefer. A few brands use flavorless oils like canola and grapeseed oils to highlight the aroma and taste of truffles. Also, using them as the main base oil makes it affordable. Another base oil that is popularly used is extra virgin olive oil, which works best when it’s cold-pressed as it holds on to the truffle oil’s natural flavor, authentic taste, and aroma for a long time.
- Quality: The best and commonly used method to make a high-quality and richly flavored truffle oil is infusing truffles or truffle extracts in cold-pressed virgin olive oil. That said, you need to check the authenticity of the oil, whether it is chemical-free or not. However, to produce pure-quality truffle oil, most brands avoid adding preservatives, artificial flavors and colors.
- Gluten-free: Gluten-free truffle oil has multiple health benefits and does not compromise on the flavor and aroma. Along with being gluten-free, if these oils are made without trans fats and GMOs, then it’s an added bonus.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I tell if truffle oil is real?
Truffle oil is authentic if the base oil is infused with natural or real white truffle extracts for flavor and aroma. Mediocre ones use synthetic flavoring agents derived from petroleum chemicals. Read the ingredients list provided by the manufacturer for a precise assessment.
2. Why is truffle oil so expensive?
Edible truffle oil is made using extracts from fresh truffles—an edible fungi cousin of mushrooms. They are seasonal, difficult to grow, tough to preserve, and often imported. Thus, the fungi and oil extracted from rare truffles are expensive.
3. How healthy is truffle oil?
A wide range of truffle species is rich in ingredients that are antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial (1). However, the health quotient of truffle oils depends on the kind and amount of truffle infused in a base oil.
4. Is truffle oil anti-inflammatory?
Truffles are considered anti-inflammatory as they contain bioactive substances, such as fatty acids, phenolics, and flavonoids (1).
5. Is truffle oil good for the heart?
Since truffles are enriched with anti-inflammatory agents, truffle oil can be good for heart health provided the base oil happens to be a heart-friendly one like cold-pressed olive oil.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Wedetso Chirhah is a writer and reviewer of kitchen and household products. In this post on the best truffle oils, he has picked out the best products for you after conducting thorough research and referring to several reviews online. He has also put together an informative buying guide to help you choose the best truffle oil according to your requirements.
The Bottom Line
Truffle oil finds itself a very special place in Italian cuisine for its exquisite aroma from truffle, a naturally-growing fungus. Often added to dishes as a seasoning, truffle oil can be a great addition to your pasta and pizzas. Choosing the best truffle oil helps ensure your dishes capture the oil’s aroma. It is available in two colors- black and white, and the latter has a subtle flavor compared to black truffle oil. From the black range, we recommend the Mantova Grand’Aroma Truffle Delight. The La Tourangelle White Truffle Infused Oil is our top pick for the white variant. If you’d like a variety of truffle oils, you can choose the Truffle Hunter Truffle Oil Selection pack. However, When buying best-selling truffle oil, make sure that you check the ingredients list and steer clear of a product with chemicals or added flavors. And for the best experience, it is recommended to settle for truffle oil with an extra virgin olive oil base.
References
- Potentials Of Truffles In Nutritional And Medicinal Applications: A Review
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7301458/ - Benefits & Side Effects Of Truffle Oil.
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/oils/truffle-oil.html - Marker Substances in the Aroma of Truffles.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9414745/
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