Black truffle: description of the mushroom, value, market value

Gourmets create legends about the taste and aroma of black truffle: and everyone has their own “flavor”. There are claims that truffle smells like chocolate, for others its aroma is similar to the smell of forest dampness and expensive alcohol, for others it smells like nuts and tastes the same.

If we discard the lyrics and evaluate the aroma and taste of the mushroom from the point of view of an impartial cook, the result is this: the smell is bright and sharp, the taste has a noticeable bitterness.
The aristocratic mushroom is of great interest to farmers. Its impressive price on the market makes one think about the feasibility of growing truffles for sale.

Characteristics and description of the variety

Officially, in all reference books, truffle is written in Latin - Tuber melanosporum. But in common parlance it is called French or Perigord. According to legend, the first mushroom was found in this French province - Périgord and secured its name.

Interesting! The most expensive mushroom in the world has a very unpresentable appearance. It lacks the usual signs of a mushroom (cap, stem); it looks more like an unwashed potato.

The tuberous body of the black truffle is characterized by irregularities - the mushroom is covered with tubercles. Color - from dark brown to blue-black. If you press on the mushroom, it will change color at the place of pressure to brownish-rusty. The diameter of the fruiting body is from 3 to 9 cm.

The pulp when cut is hard, with light veins, giving the mushroom a “marbled” appearance. In young truffles it is pink, but as the mycelium inside the tuber matures, the flesh darkens, acquiring a chocolate hue. a leg as such, but a hymenophore (a place for the mycelium to mature) exists. In ordinary terrestrial mushrooms, the hymenophore is located at the bottom of the cap.

If we conventionally consider the tuberous body to be a “cap,” then the truffle mycelium should be looked for at the bottom of the tuber.

Help: To grow delicious mushrooms at home or on farms, it is better to purchase ready-made black truffle mycelium from trusted sources rather than extract it yourself.

The black truffle belongs to the genus of marsupial fungi, the truffle family, and is one of the representatives of plants valuable in cooking and cosmetology. There are about 70 varieties of truffles, but only 10 of them are of culinary interest.

A little history

The black truffle has been known since the time of the Sumerians (about 4000 years ago). Mushrooms were used by Avicenna for medicinal purposes. In 1825, truffles were first described by the famous French chef Anselm Brillat-Savarin in his cookbook.

Collection rules

It is not easy to detect mycelium

Harvesting the highest quality black truffles requires special training and an assistant animal. The best searchers for this species are pigs. They smell the mushrooms 20-25 meters away. The danger is the animal’s love for these “fruits” - pigs sometimes break away and tear up the soil, harming the mycelium.

Specially trained dogs are also used for searching. Training takes a lot of time - the puppies are given milk with the addition of truffle and forced to look for boards with a mushroom smell. A bloodhound trained in this way is expensive.

Red flies will help to detect mycelium. They lay larvae in truffle areas, so a large concentration of such insects indicates a mushroom clearing.

Irina Selyutina (Biologist):

No matter how strange it may be for us, residents of the provinces of Périgord and Vaucluse use the practice of “hunting flies” to collect truffles. It is based on the fact that the so-called truffle flies (Helomyza gigantea, H. pallida, H. ustullata, H. tuberivora) lay eggs in the soil near truffles. Their developing larvae feed on truffle tissue. That. years of these insects is an “indicator” of the presence of truffles in a given area.

After finding them, it is important to carefully dig up and cut off the mushroom so as not to damage the mycelium and the mushroom itself. It is better to tear up the earth with gloved hands. The fruiting body is cut off with a thin knife.

Season and place of fruiting

Black truffle will not grow anywhere. These mushrooms are picky both in their habitat and in their choice of neighbors. The best chance of finding a French truffle is in a deciduous forest, but not under any tree, but under an oak or hazel tree.

Reference: Experienced truffle collectors note cases when mushrooms grew under hawthorn and even viburnum.

But it is not recommended to navigate only by trees. There are a few more sure signs from tartufaio (truffle harvesting specialists):

1. If the “witch’s circle” is clearly marked under the tree, that is, no plants are observed, then there is a chance to dig up several truffles.
2. If there are also red flies hovering over the “bare” soil, then there are definitely mushrooms. These insects lay their larvae in truffles and do not fly far from the “babies”.

The depth of the tubers is up to 50 cm, so it is difficult for a person to find mushrooms. Specially trained dogs and pigs cope with the task perfectly. But these helpers have significant drawbacks: a “truffle” dog is very expensive and needs to be trained for a long time, and a “truffle” pig can feast on the mushroom found.

The geography of growth of the black truffle is extensive: the mushroom can be found throughout Europe, under certain conditions it can even grow on the Scandinavian Peninsula. The historical habitats of the French truffle are the southwestern provinces of France, Italy, and Spain. The mushroom is found in Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia.

The truffle growing season in our latitudes begins in October and lasts until January. In France, you can taste the fresh delicacy throughout the winter and in early March. Black truffles are especially actively collected in mid-winter.

What animals are used to find truffles?

Pigs or dogs can help in the search (Figure 3). Pigs, or rather boars, are able to smell a culinary delicacy at a distance of ten meters. The smell of a truffle for a boar is very similar to the aroma of a female, which still has no explanation. When a pig detects prey, it can immediately eat it, and to prevent such events, it is customary to put muzzles on them.

Figure 3. Using animals to search

Among dogs, the female is the best at detecting scent. After establishing the location of the prey, the dog indicates the exact location to the owner and does not try to take the find. However, this type of mushroom hunting requires extensive training of the dog. Dog training begins from childhood; puppies are given milk to drink with a mixture of truffle decoction, after which they are forced to look for boards rubbed with mushrooms in the yard. After several months (years) of training, dogs can find mushrooms. Such dogs are very expensive, about 10 thousand dollars.

Where do black truffles grow in Russia?

A number of regions of Russia are characterized by the growth of summer black truffle.

This is a rare mushroom in our latitudes; it is difficult to look for black truffles in Russia, and it is not recommended - it is listed in the Red Book of Russia and in several regional Red Books. Therefore, the lucky person who finds a truffle runs the risk of being punished.

The mushroom is classified by environmental authorities as a species that is in a state close to threatened. The black Russian truffle population is very low. But it can occasionally be found in the Voronezh region, Krasnodar region, and the republics of Adygea and North Ossetia.

Even 100–150 years ago, black truffle grew in the Moscow, Belgorod, and Pskov regions. We collected a lot of mushrooms. Peasants were massively engaged in selling truffles.

Similar species

• Summer truffle.

It has lighter colored flesh and its aroma is not as strong. Fruiting of the summer truffle begins later than that of the Black species.

• Winter truffle.

It also has a less pronounced aroma and taste and grows in more northern latitudes.

1-Summer truffle. 2-Winter truffle.

Growing at home and as a business in basements

Truffle farming as a business has its advantages and disadvantages.

Flaws:

• requires large start-up capital;
• difficulties in finding a supplier of quality seed material;
• long payback period of the project.

Advantages:

• high cost of grown products (500-2000 euros per kilogram);
• minimal competition in the niche.

1. In order to plant black truffles, open areas (this option is suitable for the southern regions), greenhouses and basements are used.
2. The system for growing delicious mushrooms differs from the methods of propagating the usual oyster mushrooms or champignons.
3. The process is complex and lengthy.
4. The first harvest can grow no earlier than five years after the trees are infected with mycelium.
5. With high yields, you can collect up to 15 kilograms of truffles per hectare.

Help: When growing mushrooms, you should take into account that the yield of black truffle is unstable. To maintain it, it is necessary to fulfill a number of conditions regarding the condition of the soil, temperature and humidity.

Algorithm for growing truffles in open ground:

• Proper selection of location: it should be a windless and shaded area near the house. The main condition is the presence of the required type of deciduous trees. The fungus forms a symbiosis with their roots to obtain minerals and develop. The truffle is not parasitic - it protects the tree from diseases and strengthens the root system.
• Ensuring stable temperature.

• Creating an artificial slope - 15 degrees.
• Soil preparation - the presence of humus, calcium, nitrogen, carbon, pH level 7.5-7.9, humidity - more than 70%.
• Purchasing high-quality mycelium from a trusted seller.
• Infection of the roots of seedlings with mycelium and planting in the ground (in the spring you can plant in warm soil with the addition of lime).

How to grow truffles in a greenhouse:

1. Construction of a greenhouse and creation of an environment for the development of fungi: for these purposes, soil from deciduous forests, fertilizers, and oak sawdust are taken.
2. The soil is sifted to remove stones and the pH level is checked.
3. The mycelium is mixed with a fertilized layer of forest soil.
4. A mixture of mycelium and soil is placed on oak sawdust.

The development of mycelium can be noticed after a month if a certain temperature and humidity is maintained. The first small harvest may appear within a year. Black truffle grows actively only after 3-4 years.

Information: The cost of 100 g of high-quality mycelium is 500-1500 rubles. This amount is enough to infect one seedling.

False doubles

Experiments to create a clone of the black truffle are now common in France. Perhaps, after its successful completion, the price of truffles will decrease. In the meantime, unscrupulous tartufayos can substitute a fake instead of a real “black diamond”. Or an inexperienced mushroom picker will confuse a true black truffle with a false one, which may look very similar to the edible one.

To protect your life and health, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the data in the table:

Before you go truffle hunting, carefully study the lookalikes of the true delicious mushroom. Better - from a photo or video.

Evaluation of taste, composition, medicinal properties, benefits and possible harm

Most sophisticated gourmets claim that they do not eat the truffle mushroom itself, but its smell. In expensive restaurants, truffle is served in thin transparent slices, not as an independent dish, but added to meat, vegetables and even desserts. The unique mushroom emphasizes and enriches the taste of such diverse dishes.

Mushroom composition:

• proteins -54.5%;

• carbohydrates - 36.6%;

• fats – 10%.

The main beneficial quality of the mushroom, according to nutritionists, is its low calorie content. Also, black truffle has a positive effect on all systems and organs :

• activates metabolic processes;
• lowers blood glucose and lipid levels;
• rejuvenates the epidermis;
• normalizes the state of the endocrine system;
• improves intestinal motility.

Beneficial properties : the mushroom is widely used to treat gout, increase potency in men and treat infertility in women.

Eating truffles can be harmful:

• pregnant women;
• children under 12 years of age;

• people suffering from peptic ulcers;
• for allergy sufferers.

Application in cosmetology

Black truffle is used to make perfumes, shampoos, and skin care cosmetics. The active substances of the mushroom have the following effect:

• rejuvenate the skin;
• recover after plastic surgery and peeling;
• promote the production of collagen and elastin.

Contraindications for use

Truffle is not recommended to be added to the diet if you have a stomach or intestinal ulcer. It is also not recommended for children under 12 years of age, pregnant and lactating women.

Contraindications also include individual intolerance to the product. If you have an allergic reaction to ordinary mushrooms, it is better not to eat truffles.

Representatives of the species can harm the environment. Where the mycelium grows, other plants die from lack of nutrients and water.

Cooking recipes

The good thing about truffle dishes is that they only require a few slices of mushroom to prepare. The delicacy goes best with pasta, rice, and eggs.

To enhance the taste and aroma, it is recommended to use truffle oil. It is not worth marinating, making canned truffles, frying, or preparing caviar from this type of mushroom - it is considered a delicacy.

Primary processing

The delicate mushroom does not tolerate intensive heat treatment. To preserve the aroma and taste of a high-quality truffle, it is enough to wash it thoroughly under running cold water and simmer in wine. Alternatively, keep it in the oven for about five minutes.

Pickling in jars

There are two ways to pickle truffles: cold and hot.

Information: Salting and preservation of truffles is practiced only in Russia and other post-Soviet countries. In French cuisine, this method of preparing a delicious mushroom is not used and is considered bad manners.

Cold pickling

Ingredients:

• mushrooms – 1 kg;
• salt – 100 g.

How to cook:

1. Wash the mushrooms.
2. Place in jars, sprinkle thoroughly with salt.
3. The pickling should be stored under pressure in a cool room.

Hot salting

Ingredients:

• mushrooms -1 kg;
• salt – 50 g;
• water – 0.5 cups.

Preparation:

1. Boil mushrooms in brine.
2. Place into sterilized jars.

Help: Since truffle is an expensive and rare mushroom, it is impossible to pickle a large amount of the product. Therefore, it is very difficult to find an exact recipe for pickling (up to a gram). Most often, housewives use the same volumes of salt and water as for pickling “simple” mushrooms. But adding fragrant spices when preparing truffle preparations is not recommended, so as not to “kill” its aroma.

Mushroom sauce

Ingredients:

• small black truffle – 1 pc.;
• butter – 200 g;
• heavy cream – 0.5 cups;
• truffle oil – 0.4 cups;
• white wine - glass;
• salt, dried garlic, shallots.

Preparation:

1. Bring the butter to room temperature and mix with the truffle oil. Cool the mixture.
2. Add shallots and garlic to white wine and boil for about 3 minutes.
3. Add cream and cook for another minute.
4. Cut the cooled butter into small cubes.
5. Reduce heat to medium and gradually add cubes (this is important!) of butter to the wine-cream mixture.
6. When the butter has melted, reduce the heat further to low.
7. Add the grated truffle to the sauce before serving.
8. Serve the sauce warm.

History of discovery

The history of the discovery of truffles is shrouded in mystery, as is the exact number of species. The first mentions were recorded in the fifth century BC. The Greeks actively used this mushroom as a natural aphrodisiac. The healing properties were described by the famous scientist of the 11th century AD. Ibn Sina. And even the great writer Alexandre Dumas wrote: “gourmets of all eras pronounce the word “truffle” by taking off their hat.”

Culinarians and chefs around the world have been using truffles since the beginning of time to add unique flavors to their dishes, as well as to create new flavor compositions in their menus.

Kings of all countries demanded dishes with the addition of this mushroom to the table for its natural aphrodisiac properties.

Recommendations for proper storage

Black truffle remains fresh and presentable for 3-4 days, so it requires prompt processing or sale. The truffle should be stored raw in the refrigerator, wrapping each mushroom separately in a napkin and placing it in a glass container.

Video reviews

A selection of videos with descriptions and recipes for preparing mushrooms

My Planet, Mushroom Hunter, Vesti Crimea