Dark chocolate truffles are a confectionery dream. These are the higher end of the chocolate industry and are usually quite pricey. However, for a chocolate lover, many times, price is usually not a problem. But, also keep in mind that although the price may be a bit more for some than they are for others, that in no way, shape, or form is an indication that the more expensive ones are any better than the cheaper ones. Of course, some are considerably better than others but, this is not a normal occurrence.
Chocolate truffles are basically a combination of either dark or milk chocolate, butterfat, and sometimes coconut oil. However, there are different variations all around the world. For instance, a Harvey truffle, which is a Canadian version, adds peanut butter and graham cracker crumbs into the mixture. The European favorite uses a syrup base of cocoa powder, fats, and milk powder. The Swiss are probably the most famous of the world's truffle makers and uses melted chocolate, cream, and butter. They are also sprinkled with a cocoa powder and this makes them exceptional. However, the longer they sit, the worse they get therefore, if one is looking for good high quality Swiss made truffles, by all means, make sure they are fresh.
There are many different types of truffles that utilize dark, milk, and even white chocolate. These originated in the French culture and began as "ganache." This is typically an icing, filling, or even a glaze that is created by using chocolate and heavy whipping cream. These were usually made for wealthy or noble people and were considered to be out of reach for the typical "poor" chocolate lover. These were created around eighteen fifty and would take the world by storm. But, it was said that these were created entirely by accident when a candy maker, and especially a chocolatier, had a helper that accidentally mixed cream into a chocolate batch while it was melting. This could very well be true considering that that the chocolatier referred to his helper as a "ganache" which actually means fool or idiot. It turned out to be for the better and they have been called that ever since.
