Chocolate Truffles
Chocolate truffles are a gourmet treat that is typically made with a chocolate ganache center that is covered in hardened chocolate or cocoa powder and then rolled into a spherical shape. Sometimes the ganache center is replaced by cream, marshmallow, mint, nuts, liquor, along with hundreds of other delicious toppings.
The History of Chocolate Truffles
Chocolate truffles have been given their name due to their rare similarity to a fungus grown around trees in France. Both the fungus and chocolate truffles are known for being incredibly delicious and a wonderful delicacy.
A San Francisco chocolate maker named Joseph Schmidt is believed to have created the American truffle in the mid-1980s as part of the Joseph Schmidt Confections company that he was founder of. After being created, it did not take long for the world to become enamored with its beautiful appearance and irresistible taste.
The Types of Chocolate Truffles
There are three main types of chocolate truffles: the American, European, and Swiss. Each country has a special recipe, method, and flavoring process to make their perfect chocolate truffle. Many chocolate makers around the world are still working on perfecting their spin of the chocolate truffle with progress being made almost everyday.
American Chocolate Truffle
The American chocolate truffle is simply a chocolate coated truffle that is shaped like a half egg. The chocolate it is made up of is partly milk chocolate and partly dark chocolate, along with butterfat and hardened coconut oil. There is also a Canadian version that is similar, though it includes graham crumbs and peanut butter as well.
European Chocolate Truffle
The European chocolate truffle is made with thick syrup as well as a base mix made up of cocoa powder, milk powder, fats, and other similar ingredients to create an oil-in-water type blend. European chocolate truffles are one of the finest creations most often being given as a gift based on their remarkable design. 
Swiss Chocolate Truffle
The Swiss chocolate truffle, somewhat different than the others, is made by combining melted chocolate into a boiling mixture of dairy cream and butter. After this is done, the mixture is put into molds and left to set before being sprinkled with cocoa powder. Unlike the American and European versions, the Swiss chocolate truffle has a very short shelf life and therefore must be consumed within a few days of being made.