Chocolate Truffles
Chocolate truffles are perhaps the most decadent chocolate treat imaginable. Basic chocolate truffles consist of a velvet-smooth creamy center made of cream and semisweet chocolate, called “ganache”. This center is surrounded with a shell of milk chocolate and often coated with sugar, cocoa powder, or finely chopped nuts. Chocolate truffles are a favorite dessert across the world, and are often expensively manufactured by the finest chocolate companies and marketed as the ultimate in chocolate confections. Chocolate truffles are so named because of the similarities in texture and color (but thankfully, not taste) to the fungus known as truffles.
The history of chocolate truffles dates back to 1828 and the invention of the cocoa press, which made it possible to separate cocoa butter (the natural fat found in cocoa beans) from the bean solids. With cocoa butter, it became possible to develop solid chocolate, at first popularly known as “eating chocolate” in contrast to the previously known “drinking chocolate.” The separation process also improved the flavor of the remaining chocolate bean solids, commonly known as cocoa powder. Following the introduction of the cocoa press, Swiss natives Henri Nestle and Daniel Peter combined solid chocolate with milk powder to create a whole new taste treat: milk chocolate. The ensuing experimentation with the new substance in France and Switzerland led to the creation of ganache - and thus to the introduction of chocolate truffles.
The exact origin of chocolate truffles has been the subject of some debate. Most believe the treat originated in France, as the truffle fungus from which its name is derived is native to the country of love. Throughout this dessert’s history, chocolate truffles have maintained a reputation that is synonymous with luxury and sumptuous taste. No chocolatier would consider using anything less than the finest ingredients to create chocolate truffles. The consumption of chocolate truffles is largely considered an “adult” pleasure, due to the extreme richness of the confection (and the concordant hefty price tag attached to gourmet chocolate truffles). Children, of course, enjoy the treat as well, for there are not many foods that truly melt in your mouth the way a chocolate truffle does.
