10 Best Truffle Oils in The Philippines 2022 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Nutritionist-Dietitian

Aside from being the star in the chef’s kitchen, truffle oils have several health benefits. Read on to find out the surprising uses a bottle of truffle oil can give you. 

Truffle oil contains a good amount of Vitamin C, lycopene, and gallic acidーall of which are antioxidants. They repair cells damaged by free radicals and promote cell rejuvenation. Vitamin C is good for the skin, while lycopene improves cardiovascular health, eye problems, prostate, and nerve functions.

On the other hand, gallic acid aids in metabolism and brain health. It is one of the ayurvedic medicines used to treat several disorders like obesity, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular problems. It is present in other foods such as nuts, berries, tea, grapes, and wine.

Truffle oil contains numerous important vitamins and minerals, including protein, Omega 3, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, manganese, iron, calcium, amino acids, and dietary fibers. In fact, some pharmaceutical companies include black truffles as part of the ingredients for sedative drugs because of their anandamide compound content.

Studies have shown that truffles have antibacterial properties. According to PubMed Central, truffles decrease the growth of staphylococcus aureus and pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria due to the presence of polysaccharides in them. They also stimulate cells to produce immunity by metabolizing proteins which signal hormones to induce T- cells into the blood.

Here are some key points to consider:

1. Inspect the label and price to ensure authenticity.
2. Choose the type of truffle oil based on your preference.
3. Pick an oil base that suits your culinary needs.
4. Check for bits and pieces at the bottom.

For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.

There are many fake truffle oils sold in grocery stores worldwide. However, there are ways to tell an authentic one from a counterfeited one, such as the label and the price. Real ones should have a neat label that indicates the list of ingredients. If it says “natural truffle flavor,” “natural truffle aroma,” “#2, #4-dithiapentane,” or “mushroom,” then it is not real truffle oil. 

Another thing to remember when buying truffle oils is that they are normally expensive. The average price per 250ml bottle of truffle oils should not be below Php 400, while white truffle oils should be above Php 600 on the average. Take note, too, that white truffle oil is usually more expensive than its black counterpart.

There are two types of truffle oil in the market, and each has a distinct taste. The choice would boil down mainly to preference. Here are what you can expect with each type. 

White truffles have a milder aroma compared to black ones. There are three different types of white truffle, namely, winter white, summer white, and Terfez. This type has a hefty price for two main reasons. First, they don't have outer covering which makes them exposed to elements like pests, and weather conditions. And second, they are hard to find and cultivate. 

Winter white and summer white truffles only grow in the Northern region of Italy, France, Croatia, North America, and Australia, where there are decomposing oak, hazelnut, and poplar trees with damp-humid climates. Terfez, on the other hand, grows under the desert sands of the Middle East region to North Africa during colder months and is the most common fungi species.

White truffle oil adds distinct aroma to light and creamy dishes because of its subtle garlicky, earthy, and musky flavor. It can be added to pasta, sandwiches, creamy soups, scrambled eggs, and sauteed vegetables. Some pastry chefs and chocolatier use white truffle oil to liven up the flavor of their creations as well.

This variety has a more earthy and intense flavor profile. It is primarily grown in France, some parts of Britain, North America, China, Central Asia, and recently Australia after successful cultivation attempts. The ones in France are the best variety. There are 3 types of black truffles- winter black, summer black, and Asian black.

Black truffles possess a stronger musky, earthy aroma with hints of cocoa and nuts. The flavor ranges from subtly sweet and creamy to peppery and minty. Go easy on the black truffle, though. Due to its intense flavor, just a small dash of it is enough to enhance any boring dish instantly. Chefs prefer to add it to meat dishes, pizza, grilled fish, and seafood cuisines.

As truffles became a delicacy worldwide, people started using different oils to use as a carrier oil to make truffle oil. Depending on the culinary purposes, chefs and cooks alike have their own preferences for truffle oil bases. 

Before the commercial production of truffle oils in the 1980s, people in France and Italy had been using olive oil as a base for truffle oils. One reason is that olive oil is always available and is the most abundant oil in the region. Another reason is that olive oil tends to bring out the flavor of truffles. 

The nutty flavor of olive oil makes the aroma of truffles more intense. In terms of chemistry, the acidity of olive oil reacts with the compounds in truffles that contribute to the depth of its flavor. When cooked or drizzled on dishes, it gives an instant richness and umami taste. 

If you don't want to alter particular tastes of other ingredients in your cuisine, pick a truffle oil that has a milder oil base, such as sunflower, canola, grapeseed, or avocado oil. These oils have a neutral flavor that highlights the unaltered aroma of truffles. Sunflower oil is the most common base among these milder alternatives.

While we might find an oil that's cloudy and has residues a bit distasteful, authentic truffle oil should look like this. It should have some tiny bits and pieces settled at the bottom of the bottle; this is because there is no such thing as pure truffle oil. Quality truffle oil uses olive oil as a base added with real truffle shavings or extracts that are steeped in it for months.

To give you a rundown, here are our top 5 picks for the best truffle oils you can buy online:

1. Best overall: Casa Rinaldi White Truffle Oil
2. Best truffle oil with white summer truffles: Olio Luglio Olio Extra Vergine de Oliva With Truffles
3. Best vitamin E-rich option: Chef Jean-Pierre Super Concentrated White Truffle Oil
4. Best artisan truffle oil: La Tourangelle White Truffle Infused Oil
   
5. Best for everyday use: Mazza White Truffle Oil
   

The products we introduce below were carefully curated by the mybest team, from the best-sellers of E-commerce sites like Lazada, and using the points mentioned in our detailed and thoroughly researched buying guide.

Disclaimer: These products are recommendations made by our team at mybest Philippines. Our expert, Samantha Morales, RND, is not affiliated with, nor is she endorsing any of the brands we mention below.

**Prices may vary depending on the website and their campaign period**

Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.

If you are into exotic and exquisite dishes, then you will find truffle oil the best condiment to add to your pantry and totally worth the money. Aside from its unique flavor profile, it is rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients. It also has antibacterial properties.

There is a reason behind the hype about truffles, and this is not just about their price tag. One of the reasons is the flavor and aroma that truffles possess that are unmatched by any ingredients. Its complex chemical compound adds an ambrosial effect on dishes. You can prepare a simple dish as a scrambled egg and transform it into gourmet with a dash of truffle oil. 

Olive oil-based truffle oil is the preferred choice by most chefs, as the two ingredients complement each other well. In fact, they enhance each other and bring out a creamy, earthy, and intense flavor profile. However, there are also truffle oils that use a more neutral flavor base, such as avocado, canola, and sunflower oils. 

Truffle oil can last up to 2-5 years on the shelf from the manufacturing date. Once opened, it can last up to 5-8 months inside the refrigerator. If canola, sunflower, or extra-virgin olive oil is used as a base, the shelf life is up to 2 years unopened because they are slightly acidic and can go rancid quickly. Avocado oil, on the other hand, has the longest shelf life due to its low polyunsaturated fats.

Awaken your inner chef and satiate your cravings for more delectable cuisines with other types of oil. Check out our articles below for more oil recommendations!

Author: J. Montayre

Editor: R. Umlas

Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.