The Chocolatier’s Art: Truffles

A mainstay in the gift boxes and shop windows of chocolate suppliers the world over, the chocolate truffle is what many consumers think of when they think of a premium product. The truffle’s influence on the industry over the past century is undeniable, with its combination of flavour, mouthfeel and elegance setting the standard for luxury chocolates.

The History of the Chocolate Truffle

Like many things in history, it’s hard to put a single, exact moment of origin on the truffle. Its invention is, however, often credited to N. Petrucelli, who is said to have created chocolate truffles in Chambery, France. While Petrucelli’s truffles have been around since 1895, the worldwide popularisation of the chocolate truffle is most commonly traced to the establishment of Prestat Ltd. in Piccadilly, London, by chocolate supplier Antoine Dufour.

Dufour had moved to London from France, bringing with him the knowledge of this now world renowned treat, and began selling truffles in 1902. Prestat Ltd.’s name persists in the chocolate industry, and Prestat truffles are stocked by many chocolate suppliers to this day, although their flavours have been given a contemporary twist (salted caramel and gin truffles were likely not around in the early twentieth century, but have been given critical and popular acclaim recently).

What Makes a Truffle?

Truffles are small and usually spherical, being approximately an inch in diameter. The centre of a truffle is made of a rich, velvety ganache, often flavoured with ingredients such as vanilla or drinks such as champagne or brandy. The ganache is surrounded with a coating: this is usually either cocoa powder, a firm chocolate shell or chopped nuts.

The size and shape of the truffle is what gave it its name: its dark, spheroid appearance recalls the black truffle, famously foraged for with the aid of pigs and dogs throughout Europe. The name "truffle" caught on quickly among chocolate suppliers, due to its association with the already-existing luxury food. This association was helpful in marketing truffles as a premium product.

A Work of Art

Truffles are beloved not only for their taste and texture but also for their beautiful appearance. A carefully crafted truffle is not only a fantastic centrepiece to round off a box of chocolates; it’s also a testament to the skill and quality control of a particular chocolatier. Truffles can be sculpted, etched, painted, dyed and ornamented with foodstuffs (e.g. nuts, fruits) or even edible gold leaf. A good chocolatier is likely to stock a number of visually attractive truffles as a means of enticing customers with aesthetics.

If you choose to forgo the finery of showpiece truffles, there’s still an undeniable beauty, not to mention traditional charm, to the unadorned, cocoa-dusted truffles made by many chocolatiers. Some purists also prefer the flavour of these, feeling that this is the best way to appreciate the skill of the chocolatier.

Angelina Moufftard works for hf Chocolates, a company selling high quality wholesale sweets to the retail trade and others who wish to purchase wholesale quantities of chocolate and confectionery. Renowned since 1957, we've sourced the best suppliers from France, Spain, Germany, Holland, Belgium, the USA and UK. Our great tasting and beautifully packaged products also represent excellent value for money.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.