Truffle

Fungi

Age Suggestion

6 months

Iron-Rich

Common Allergen

a whole black truffle next to some thin slices of truffle on a white background

When can babies have truffles?

Truffles may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age.

Truffles grow underground on the roots of trees around the world. In recent decades, truffles have been one of the most expensive mushrooms in the world, and they are traditionally used in very small amounts to add powerful umami flavor to dishes. Their expense comes in part from their rarity—only a few truffle farms exist, most are foraged from the wild, and it can be difficult to find them. Often, truffle foragers use animal assistants like trained dogs or pigs to help sniff out the aromatic fungi from the field or forest floor.

How do you serve truffles to babies?

Every baby develops on their own timeline, and the suggestions on how to cut or prepare particular foods are generalizations for a broad audience.

6 months old +:

Stir a small amount of grated or very thinly shaved truffle into pasta, polenta, or other soft, scoopable meals to share with baby. Dried truffle may be used to flavor stocks to cook grains and pasta, or ground up into powder to season baby’s food. Alternatively, drizzle a small amount of truffle oil onto baby’s finger food, porridge, or purée. Truffles can be very expensive, so feel free to try dried porcini or dried shiitake as alternatives to add lots of umami flavor to a dish.

12 months old +:

Offer fresh or dried truffles, grated or thinly shaved, in the child’s meals, and continue to use truffle butters and oils as desired.

Videos

Maya, 14 months, eats shaved truffle in pasta.

Are truffles a choking hazard for babies?

No. Truffles present a low risk when safely prepared for a child’s age and developmental ability, though, in theory, an individual could choke on any food. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve truffles in an age-appropriate way. As always, make sure you create a safe eating environment and stay within an arm’s reach of baby during meals.

Learn the signs of choking and gagging and more about choking first aid in our free guides, Infant Rescue and Toddler Rescue.

Are truffles a common allergen?

No. Mushroom allergy is rare, although not unheard of. There have been reports of anaphylaxis, as well as rashes among those handling mushrooms. Mushrooms also contain chitin, a common carbohydrate found in crustaceans and insects that may contribute to an allergic response in certain individuals.

Individuals with Oral Allergy Syndrome (also called pollen food allergy syndrome), particularly those with sensitivity to mold, may also be sensitive to mushrooms. Oral Allergy Syndrome typically results in short-lived itching in the mouth and is unlikely to result in a dangerous reaction. Cooking mushrooms can help minimize and even eliminate the reaction.

Dried truffles may be preserved with sulfites. While sulfites are not a common allergen, certain individuals, particularly those with asthma, can have allergy-like reactions to added sulfites. If sulfites are a concern, avoid ingredients such as sulfur dioxide, potassium bisulfate, potassium metabisulfite, sodium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, and sodium sulfite to name a few.

As you would when introducing any new food, start by offering a small quantity for the first few servings. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the amount over future meals.

Are truffles healthy for babies?

Yes. While typically used in small amounts, truffles offer a touch of protein, carbohydrates, fiber, and essential fatty acids. Truffles also offer phenols, carotenoids, antioxidants, and more, which research suggests may offer immune-boosting and anti-bacterial properties.

Make sure to buy mushrooms from a reputable source and avoid foraged mushrooms unless an expert mycologist has confirmed the mushroom is safe to eat, as there are plenty of poisonous look-a-like species growing in the wild.

★Tip: Truffles come in a variety of forms, such as plain truffle, truffle oil, and truffle butter - to name a few. Feel free to explore using these different forms of truffle in your cooking.