Chocolate Truffles
The Chocolate Connoisseur June 20th, 2007
Chocolate truffles are a decadent and rich tasting variety of chocolates. The chocolates are named for their resemblance to fungus truffles. They are traditionally shaped spherical or with a curved shape. Many countries around the world make truffles, but some are especially well known. Chocolate truffles are chocolates that usually have a center of ganache and then they are rolled in cocoa or chocolate. Ganache is a combination of chocolate and cream melted together slowly, and when it is chilled it can be formed and put into truffles. The ganache becomes stiffer and more moldable depending on the amount of cream to chocolate ratio. Other fillings may be used to create other flavors of truffles. Caramel, almonds, berries, mint, and many other fillings are popular. A favorite of many chocolate truffle lovers is a filling made of liquor flavorings.
There are three specific types of chocolate truffles. The first type is referred to as the American Truffle. It takes on a half-egg shape and is made from a mixture of dark and milk chocolate prepared from a combination of buttermilk and hardened coconut oil. A San Francisco Chocolatier named Joseph Schmidt in the mid 1980s created the American Truffle. There are variations of this truffle in which graham cracker crumbs or peanut butter is added. The second type of truffle is the European Truffle. This truffle is made with a combination of syrup, cocoa powder, milk powder, fats and an emulsion of oil-in-water. The Swiss Truffle is the third type of truffle, made from combining melted chocolate into a boiling mixture of butter and heavy cream. Pouring the chocolate into molds and topping them with cocoa powder is what makes these rich chocolate truffles. Many chocolate truffle companies create original, delightful truffle creations. The companies add special ingredients to make their truffles one of a kind. A chocolate truffle should be delicate in flavor and simple. Not allowing any flavor to stifle the enjoyment of chocolate, the flavors should complement each other nicely. The combination of flavors should be in balance with the stronger, yet tasty, cocoa essence.
The benefits of indulging in chocolate truffles in moderation has been discovered through studies showing that the consumption of dark chocolate or cocoa can help to decrease blood pressure and improve insulin sensitivity. There are reports that also state that dark chocolate and cocoa contain rich anti-oxidants called flavonoids that have been discovered to have a positive effect on blood vessels as well as glucose levels.
As truffles are meant to be dense in texture, the truffle should coat the palette making the eating of a chocolate truffle a wonderful experience for even the most expert chocolate lover. Enjoying chocolate truffles is a way to indulge in one of life’s true expressions of confectionary art.
