Chocolate truffle facts for kids
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| Type | Confection |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Chambéry, France |
| Region or state | Savoie |
| Main ingredients | Chocolate ganache, chocolate or cocoa powder |
A chocolate truffle is a delicious type of chocolate candy. It usually has a soft, creamy chocolate center called a ganache. This center is then covered in chocolate, cocoa powder, coconut, or chopped nuts like hazelnuts or almonds. Truffles often come in round, cone, or curved shapes.
They are named "truffles" because they look a bit like truffles, which are special edible fungi (like mushrooms) that grow underground.
Contents
What are Chocolate Truffles?
Chocolate truffles are a popular confectionery treat. The main part of a truffle is its rich chocolate filling. This filling is usually a ganache, which is a smooth mix of chocolate and cream. Once the ganache is made, it's shaped and then coated with different tasty toppings.
How Truffles Get Their Name
The name "truffle" comes from the Latin word tuber, meaning "lump." This is because the first chocolate truffles looked like the valuable, lumpy truffle fungi found in the ground.
Different Kinds of Chocolate Truffles
There are many kinds of chocolate truffles around the world. Each type has its own special way of being made and its own unique taste. Here are some of the main ones:
Swiss Truffles
Swiss truffles are made by mixing melted chocolate with hot cream and butter. This mixture is then poured into molds to set. After they cool, they are often dusted with cocoa powder. These truffles are very fresh and should be eaten soon after they are made.
French Truffles
French truffles are made with fresh cream and chocolate. They are then rolled in cocoa powder or finely ground nuts. Like Swiss truffles, they are best enjoyed quickly.
Spanish Truffles
Spanish truffles are made with dark chocolate, sweet condensed milk, and often a bit of rum or another flavored liqueur. They are usually covered in chocolate sprinkles.
American Truffles
The American truffle is often shaped like a half-oval and covered in chocolate. It's a mix of dark or milk chocolate with butterfat. Sometimes, it also contains hardened coconut oil. A chocolatier from San Francisco named Joseph Schmidt is known for creating this style in the 1980s.
Belgian Truffles (Pralines)
Belgian truffles are also called pralines. They are made with dark or milk chocolate shells filled with ganache, buttercream, or nut pastes. They are famous for their detailed shapes and rich fillings.
Californian Truffles
The Californian truffle is a larger, less perfectly shaped version of the French truffle. It was first made by Alice Medrich in 1973. She started selling these bigger truffles in Berkeley, and they helped start a big interest in truffles across America.
See also
In Spanish: Trufa de chocolate para niños
