An Original Delight: The Chocolate Truffle

“Chocolate.” This simple word can conjure a plethora of images. A solid scored bar of creamy milk chocolate, a pot of thick, glistening fondue with strawberries and bananas to dip, even a gooey warm chocolate brownie a la mode… All of these are defined by the signature taste of sweetened cacao: rich and flavorful. One of the most well known forms of chocolate, quite possibly the most elegant, decadent, and unique, is the chocolate truffle. Its history, flavors, and classifications all carry a richness with which this bon-bon is associated.

The chocolate truffle is named as such because it resembles the truffle mushroom. What they tend to look like are little balls of chocolate, often dusted with cocoa powder. By definition, they are little balls of chocolate ganache, which is a mixture of chocolate and heavy cream smoothly blended together. They are made at a temperature that allows the chocolate and cream to solidify and become a firm, creamy ball of chocolate. A mushroom truffle can go for $2000, and are coveted by chefs worldwide. A chocolate truffle is equally as sought after, with its creamy  and seductive texture combinations, as well as the intense chocolate flavor throughout each one.

These candies are famous for the intense chocolate experience they bring. When you eat one, the chocolate instantly begins to coat your mouth, smooth, creamy, and rich. Classic truffles never fail, but there are many that take exciting twists: coated in paprika or other powdered spices to add another dimension of flavor to the truffle. You can also experience a contrast of textures with creamy ganache and a coat of coconut shavings, crushed peppermint candy, or an assortment of nuts. No matter what, you can count on the chocolate truffle to deliver creamy, smooth flavor that will linger in your mouth. You can savor each rich second as you experience intense chocolate flavor, mellowed by the cocoa powder, strengthened by how the chocolate was tempered to be solid, but melt-in-your-mouth delicious. You can never go wrong with a decadent, smooth chocolate truffle.