While truffle oil adds a distinct flavour to dishes, it is also made with synthetic compounds and not real truffles, as is most claimed. According to genetic technology expert Kashif Khan, real truffles have a strong aroma that can be overpowering. And so, fake truffle oil can lead to digestive issues or skin irritation.

Top chefs and food experts across the world – from Martha Stewart to Anthony Bourdain – have also made vehement declarations against it, calling it outright horrible. “Real truffle is delicate and rare, and it is impossible to bottle it into oil without losing its essence. Even top chefs around the world call truffle oil a scam because there is zero actual truffle in it,” Khan said on Instagram.

Most truffle oils do not contain any real truffles — instead, they are flavoured with an aromatic petroleum-based chemical that perfumes the oil with its phony scent. 2,4-Dithiapentanem, also known as bis (methylthio) methane, is a derivative of formaldehyde.

Those who appreciate authentic truffles will tell you that synthetically flavoured products are a poor alternative to the real thing. The synthetic essence that gets added to olive or other oils only mimics the truffle scent, and most of what is sold as so-called truffle oil does not actually contain any of the prized fungus.

Truffles are among the world’s rarest, most difficult-to-cultivate foods. It has a musky, nutty flavour, and according to experts, finishing garnishes such as truffle oil make the truffle’s unique umami flavour profile accessible.

Here are some additional nutritional benefits of truffles:

• They are a source of all nine essential amino acids, making them a complete source of protein
• They are a source of vitamin C, iron, calcium, sodium, and other crucial macronutrients
• They are a source of antioxidants, which have anti-inflammatory properties
• Some cultures describe additional medical benefits associated with truffles.

How to avoid getting duped?

According to experts, to know what ingredients are in your truffle oil, first, make sure to read the list on the bottle to know what you are buying. In most cases, the list should be very short. Premium truffle oils only have two ingredients – oil and either truffles or natural truffle flavour.

In lower-quality truffle oils, the base might be canola, grapeseed, or sunflower oil. In the highest-quality luxury truffle oils, the base is typically olive oil.

Also, one of the biggest giveaways is the price, as real truffles are one of the most expensive foods on the planet. This is due to their scarcity and how difficult they are to find. They cannot be planted and grown like a regular crop but grow underground. Finding truffles requires trained animals to root them out. If a store is selling a bottle of truffle oil for a low price, or if a restaurant is offering a cheap serving of truffled fries, you can pretty much guarantee that they are not real.