1. The Truffle Oil Trap
Truffle oil rarely contains actual truffles. Commercial truffle oil is almost always synthetically engineered using a chemical called 2,4-dithiapentane to mimic the earthy aroma of the real fungus. Restaurants drizzle a few drops of this synthetic liquid over standard french fries or macaroni and cheese, then inflate the price by ten or fifteen dollars. You are paying a premium for a cheap chemical illusion. When you spot truffle oil on a menu, recognize it as a massive margin-booster and opt for a side dish that features genuine, whole ingredients.
