National Chocolate Truffle Day is a food holiday that is celebrated annually on 2nd of May mostly in the United States. There are other events and celebrations too regarding this delicious chocolate dessert, but in some countries held in other time of the year on different festivals. Here we show what we need to know about these tasty cocoa balls, which can be made in variety of ingredients and forms. Sharing vegan and non-vegan recipes too.
Chocolate truffles
Chocolate truffles are small, round confections made of chocolate ganache.
Ganache is a creamy chocolate mixture used as a filling or frosting. It is a mixture of melted chocolate and cream, and often coated in cocoa powder or chopped nuts.
Truffle is a confection made of chocolate, butter, sugar, and sometimes liqueur, shaped into balls often coated with cocoa.
On this day, people celebrate the deliciousness of chocolate truffles by indulging in them, making them at home, or giving them as gifts.
It’s a great opportunity to try different varieties of truffles and to appreciate the artistry that goes into making these delectable treats.
History
The word ‘truffle’ comes from the Latin word ‘tuber,’ which means ‘outgrowth’.
Truffle originally is the fruiting body of a subterranean ascomycete fungus, one of the many species of the genus Tuber. Dates back to the ancient Egyptians, who held truffles in high esteem and ate them coated in goose fat.
1895: Truffle was invented by Louis Dufour in Chambray, France as a result of an experiment whereby he was trying to come up with a very delicious Christmas treat
1902: Louis relative, Antoine Dufour, took the recipe to England and opened up a shop named Prestat Chocolate Shop.
1920’s: First known Truffle Recipe appears in cookbooks.
1980’s: Birth of American Truffles, created by Josepf Schmidt in San Francisco, USA.
3-type truffle
There are American, European, and Swiss chocolate truffles.
American Truffles
American chocolate truffles are typically made with a chocolate ganache center (a mixture of chocolate and heavy cream) that is rolled into a ball and then coated in cocoa powder or chopped nuts. They are often softer and creamier than other types of truffles.
European Truffles
European chocolate truffles are often made with a mixture of chocolate and butter instead of cream. They are usually shaped into a ball or a cylinder, and then rolled in cocoa powder or powdered sugar. European truffles tend to have a richer, denser texture than American truffles.
Swiss Truffles
Swiss chocolate truffles are similar to European truffles, but they often contain a higher percentage of cocoa solids and are therefore darker and more intense in flavor. They may also be rolled in crushed chocolate or decorated with intricate chocolate designs.
In general, the main differences between American, European, and Swiss chocolate truffles come down to the ingredients and the techniques used to make them. While all three types of truffles are delicious, the texture, flavor, and appearance can vary depending on where they are made and who is making them.
Truffle days/events around the world
These events are not just in May as in other countries the events held in another season of the year. The events include
- chocolate tastings,
- truffle-making workshops, and
- other activities related to the creation and enjoyment of chocolate truffles.
Learn more about chocolate truffles or celebrate this delicious holiday by checking out cooking or baking shows, visit a local chocolatier or specialty food store, or even try making your own truffles at home using a recipe.
USA
Many chocolatiers and confectionery companies hold events to celebrate National Chocolate Truffle Day. On 2nd May chocolate shops, bakeries, and restaurants may offer special truffle-themed menus or discounts on National Truffle Day.
Truffles are “grown” in the United States, with Oregon and Washington being major producers.
The town of Eugene, Oregon hosts an annual
- Oregon Truffle Festival in January, while
the city of Seattle hosts a
- Truffle Festival in February.
Italy
Famous for its truffles, especially the white truffle found in the Piedmont region. Many towns in Italy host truffle festivals and markets during truffle season, which typically runs from September to December.
France
Known for its truffles, particularly the black truffle found in the Périgord region. The town of Sarlat hosts an annual truffle festival in January, while the town of Richerenches hosts a truffle market every Saturday from November to March.
Spain
Produces a variety of truffles, including the highly prized black truffle found in the northeast region of Catalonia.
The town of Vic hosts a
- truffle market in December,
while the town of Sarrión hosts a
- truffle fair in February.
Australia
Truffles, which are come from Australia mostly come from the southern state of Tasmania. As this part of Australia is being a major producer.
The town of Deloraine hosts an
- annual Tasmanian Truffle Festival in July,
while the city of Canberra hosts a
- Truffle Festival in June and July.
Truffle recipes
Here we share 3 truffle recipes, which we believe you should try out at home especially on 2nd of May.
Original Truffle
It is believed that the original Truffle has been created in France in the late 1800s. Here is a recipe for traditional chocolate truffles that is based on the classic French technique:
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces/~225 gr bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 1/2 cup/~150 ml heavy cream (heavy whipping cream, is a thick, rich cream that contains at least 36% milkfat),
- 1/4 cup/~75 ml unsweetened cocoa powder
- Pinch of salt
Vegan truffle
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces/~225 gr vegan dark chocolate, chopped
- 1/2 cup/~150 ml full-fat coconut milk
- 1/4 cup/~75 ml unsweetened cocoa powder
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Place the chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl and set aside.
- In a small saucepan, heat the cream over medium heat until it just begins to simmer.
- Pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate and let it sit for a minute or two to soften the chocolate.
- Stir the chocolate and cream together until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy.
- Stir in a pinch of salt.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until the mixture is firm.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Using a small spoon or a melon baller, scoop out small portions of the chocolate mixture and roll them into balls.
- Roll the truffles in the cocoa powder, shaking off any excess, and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Refrigerate the truffles for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Enjoy!
These recipes makes about 20 truffles each.
You can store the truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Pistachio White Chocolate truffle
For a unique and delicious experience 😋 here we share a Pistachio White Chocolate Truffle recipes with you in a non-vegan and vegan style.
Vegan
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces/~225 gr vegan white chocolate, chopped
- 1/3 cup/~85 ml full-fat coconut milk
- 1/2 cup/~150 ml shelled pistachios, finely chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- Pinch of salt
Vegan white chocolate is made using ingredients that do not come from animals, such as dairy milk and butter.
Non-vegan variant
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces/~225 gr white chocolate, chopped
- 1/3 cup/~85 ml heavy cream
- 1/2 cup/~150 ml shelled pistachios, finely chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions are the same as before with the previous truffles except that replace the 5th step with this:
Stir in the chopped pistachios, almond extract, and a pinch of salt.
As the last step you can choose to use coconut or pistachio for outside of the truffles bases on your taste and whatever you like.
ENJOY!
Unique Truffles
We know all kinds and variants of truffles, but here are some more what you should try if you ever want to try new tastes and bites:
- Pistachio and Cardamom Truffles
made with dark chocolate, heavy cream, crushed pistachios, and ground cardamom. They have a unique blend of nutty and floral flavors that complement the rich chocolate.
- Coconut and Lime Truffles
made with white chocolate, coconut cream, lime zest, and shredded coconut. They have a refreshing tropical flavor that is perfect for the summer.
- Espresso and Hazelnut Truffles
made with milk chocolate, heavy cream, espresso powder, and finely chopped hazelnuts. They have a rich coffee flavor with a crunchy nutty texture.
- Cinnamon Roll Truffles
made with white chocolate, cream cheese, ground cinnamon, and crushed graham crackers. They have a sweet cinnamon flavor with a creamy cheesecake-like texture.
- Earl Grey Tea Truffles
made with dark chocolate, heavy cream, earl grey tea leaves, and orange zest. They have a delicate tea flavor with a hint of citrus.
If you are looking for green smoothies we recommend try our “Green Pineapple Power Detox Smoothie“.
For more delicious recipes and dessert pics follow bestvegansmoothie or silkandcake on Instagram.