In article >, Andy <q> wrote:

>I bought a small bottle of summer black truffles for I forget how much, but
>what I remember is the flavor had about expired. My taste buds weren't
>thrilled to death.

I've never had black truffles that in any way compared to
(good quality) white truffles. They are always very dull in
flavor. Fans of French cooking may think there's a subtlety there
but I've never found it.

>I don't buy into truffle oil or similar cheap products.

Yes, truffle oil ranges from vaguely okay to atrocious. That
otherwise respectable chefs use it is a travesty.

I posted on white truffle prices here in late January.

Steve