Why are Truffles so expensive? Are they worth it?

Summary by Krater

This video investigates whether fresh truffles and truffle-flavored products are worth their high price through six comparative experiments. It concludes that winter black truffles are worth buying for home use when grated with a microplane, whereas white truffles and truffle substitutes are not worth purchasing.

From the video

Answers: Are fresh truffles and truffle oil actually worth it?

• truffle biology and farming
• aroma compounds of black and white truffles
• comparing black and white truffles
• shaved vs grated truffles
• cooking with fresh truffles
• truffle substitutes and oils

What it concludes

• Winter and autumn black truffles have a different aroma profile than white truffles.
• Most fresh black truffle varieties, such as summer, are completely lacking in aroma.
• 2,4-Dithiapentane is the dominant aroma compound which provides a sulfuric garlicky odor in white truffles, but this compound is not present in black truffles.
• Most truffle products use black summer truffles with 2,4-Dithiapentane aroma added.
• Winter black truffles are worth buying for home use when grated with a microplane.
• Fresh white truffles are not worth their high price compared to black truffles or substitutes because of their rapid degradation and extreme cost.