Now that we've talked about cheese with truffles, you may have had this question. The truth is that cheese with truffles has a slightly different production process.
It may vary depending on the type of cheese and the truffle used, but in general, the basic principle is to incorporate truffle (whether fresh, in pieces, grated or in oil) into the cheese during its maturation process.
In Spanish cheeses, the truffle used is usually black truffle, since it provides a more intense flavour.
The truffle can be added at different times during the production of the cheese, which influences the degree of impregnation of its flavour.
- Incorporating fresh truffle: Fresh truffle can be finely chopped and mixed with the cheese paste, normally during the curing phase. This allows the cheese to absorb the aromas of the truffle gradually. This is the process that best preserves the flavor of the truffle, which also translates into higher quality cheeses at a higher price.
- Truffle oil: Another way to add truffle is through infused oil. This oil is mixed into the curd or used to anoint the mature cheese. Oil is an excellent choice when you are looking for a more subtle flavor and for the truffle to simply appear as soft nuances in the mouth.
- Dehydrated truffle: In some cases, dehydrated truffle can be incorporated to give it a less "fresh" but equally aromatic touch. The advantage of this type of truffle is that it is preserved for longer.
The result is a cheese that not only has a characteristic texture depending on how it is made (soft, semi-cured, cured), but also a layer of earthy and umami flavors provided by the truffle.