The Taste of Black Truffle from El Toro Arrives at El Corte Inglés

There are flavours that linger on the palate long after being savoured, making mouths water at their mere mention. Black truffle, with its intense taste and enhancing properties, is one such ingredient increasingly found in culinary offerings. Perhaps due to its distinctive aroma and flavour, El Corte Inglés has launched the "Seasonal Taste Km0" featuring the Black Truffle from El Toro, which will be the highlight of this space until February 8th.

Born from the imagination of chef Sandra Jorge from Xanglot Restaurant in Valencia, the GastroMercat of Maisonnave and the cafeterias of El Corte Inglés in Alicante and Elche will add the recipe of dry rice with truffled Valencian meatball, pumpkin, and sobrasada to their gastronomic offerings. The perfect pairing, in this case provided by Bodegas Vicente Gandía, complements this dish. This initiative arises from the collaboration between Inboga Comunicación agency and the chef, who has expertly showcased the product of the month, the truffle from the Castellón town of El Toro.

Last Friday, the GastroMercat of El Corte Inglés in Maisonnave was the perfect setting for the chef's showcooking, where attendees could taste this rice combination. The mayor of El Toro, José Arenes Vicente, who also attended the event, highlighted that such events promote the cultivation of truffles, a source of wealth for the town of El Toro, which also helps to retain the population in the inland regions of the Valencian Community.

In this way, "Seasonal Flavours Km 0" by El Corte Inglés extols this exclusive ingredient that has managed to conquer the palates of chefs and consumers worldwide. Additionally, all El Corte Inglés supermarkets in the Valencian Community will offer Black Truffle from El Toro in their fruit sections for crafting the most succulent recipes.

Sandra Jorge studied Culinary Management at the Altaviana School in Valencia. She is currently the owner and head chef at Xanglot Restaurant (Valencia).

A space that stands out for its unique culinary proposal, allowing daily enjoyment of creative cuisine made with the best seasonal and local products. Specialising in rice, her skill in reinterpreting this emblematic ingredient of Valencian cuisine is noteworthy. Her approach combines traditional techniques with innovation to create dishes that highlight the essence of rice in its many forms. Her mastery in this field has earned her awards such as the Cullera World Rice Biennial and recognition as an Ambassador of Rice Artisans. Her achievements also include: Best Cuina Oberta Menu 2020, Recommended Restaurant in the Michelin Guide 2022, Top 100 in The Fork 2022, and Bib Gourmand 2023.

The Black Truffle from El Toro is one of the gastronomic treasures possessed by the Valencian Community. A subterranean fungus cultivated in the Castellón town of El Toro, its flavour is exquisite. It is no wonder it is considered a gastronomic diamond and holds significant economic value.

However, the black truffle cannot be cultivated just anywhere, as the terrain and weather must meet specific conditions for it to develop and be of exceptional quality. In this regard, a calcareous soil with stoniness is required, along with a climate characterised by short, cool summers, winter snowfalls, and strong winds. This climate is due to the area's altitude, relief, and proximity to the Mediterranean Sea.