Truffle Burger’s – Beef DIY

Cheeseburgers and truffles tend to live at opposite ends of the epicurean spectrum, so when we learned that Truffle Burger had DIY kits we had to try.   I like truffles, in moderation.  Having your server bring a little scale to the table as they shave into your pasta is a treat everyone should get to try.  Just the right amount adds such incredible flavour, but too much and it becomes pungent.  Read on to see how truffles and cheeseburgers got on together in a triple header review…

What we have in store

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The Bun: 17/20

We found the buns a little heavy when we first opened the package.  They are simple large, white bun with no seeds and the consistency of a dinner roll.  However, once buttered and fried as the instructions called for they really came to life.  Great flavour and were a light lighter in texture, but still held up to the juices and condiments without disintegrating.  

The Toppings: 8/10

The only topping is a generous portion of their crispy shallots.  I thought they were really good with no greasy feeling at all, although I must admit that I would have had no idea they were shallots and not onions.   Added a nice crunch to the final product

The Condiments: 6/10

A rather unique pairing here with fig jam and truffle mayonnaise.   I love figs, tamarinds and dates so I was very excited to try this, although I wasn’t sure how it would go on a burger. On its own it was a lovely smooth jam that had a great balance between sweet and tartness.  I had some with crackers and cheese and it was fantastic so was excited to see how it balanced the meat in the final product. The truffle mayo had mixed opinions.  In small doses I think everyone liked it, but the general opinion was the truffle flavour was just too overpowering.  Instead of a subtle taste you pick up gently as you chew, it was more of a sledgehammer that hit your olfactory nerve the second the mayo bag was cut open.  If you love truffles this might work for you though.  

The Cheese: 8/20

The kit came with thin, dry slices of raclette cheese.  It comes where in between brie and swiss on the taste scale and I have had it before in Switzerland where it is famed for its creamy texture when melted.  I am not sure if it was the portion size, or the packaging (folded into wax paper) but it did not melt the way I expected and the flavour was absolutely lost in the final product with truffles, onions, meat and fig jam all blowing it away.

The Patty: 13/20

The beef had a wonderful texture, with just the right amount of fat.   It comes as a big lump and the recommendation is to mix in 2 teaspoons of salt before you make the 125g patties (4.4 oz).  Have not seen that before, as most DIYs call for a pinch of salt on top of the patty so that was something new.  I felt the patties were a little small, but the patty does pack a lot of flavour.  They cooked a little slower than expected but were nice and juicy when finished.  Just a little too gamy for me.  If you like that grass fed flavour then these might be right up your alley. 

The Taste: 12/20

I found the overall combination of flavours to be just too strong and out of balance.  The bun was excellent here, truffle mayo absolutely overpowering, onions good, cheese weak, beef was ok, but only really the gaminess came through, and the fig jam valiantly tried to cut through with a hint of sweetness to balance out everything.  I think a good cheeseburger should work towards being one harmonious flavour and this one was more of a battle in your mouth. We have reviewed a few burgers from Truffle, you should check out the review of The Truffle Burger here

Our Verdict: 64/100 

If you are a fan of exotic flavours, this is worth a go, especially if truffles are one of those flavours.  Or, if you have a foody friend who thinks cheeseburgers are boring.  But it won’t be a regular occurrence for me.  I liked the fig jam, and I think it could have been a better fit for a saltier burger with more cheese and without the truffle flavour.  I do admire the envelope being pushed though! You should check out Truffle Burgers at their website here