Features of collecting delicious truffles: dogs or pigs?

Types of mushrooms

Many, having learned about such a high cost of mushrooms, wonder: do truffles grow in Russia? In the Russian Federation there is a summer species, it is also called black. Similarly, it can be found in Central Asia and Ukraine.

Mushrooms grow in calcareous soil. They can be found even in the south of Scandinavia. The fruiting body is located 15 cm underground. Truffles are harvested at the end of the summer season and the beginning of the autumn season.

They are trying to grow truffles on Chinese farms, but this product does not have the unique taste properties that wild representatives have.

There is another variety of this mushroom - Russian white. Finding such a mushroom is quite difficult; the fruiting body can weigh up to 0.5 kg. The product tastes more like meat. It grows under a 15 cm layer of soil. This representative of the mushroom kingdom can be found in various regions of Russia: Oryol and Vladimir, Smolensk and Tula, as well as Moscow.

Where, besides Russia, do truffles grow? Winter truffle can be found in Ukraine, as well as in Italy, Switzerland, and France. The truffle harvest takes place in November-March. The diameter of the mushroom can reach 20 cm and weight - 1.5 kg.

Truffles: why the most expensive mushrooms in the world can only be found by pigs and dogs

Truffles are the most expensive mushrooms in the world, with some species costing up to $50,000 per kilogram. Despite the fact that we are in the 21st century, mushrooms growing in the forests of Europe are still considered the greatest delicacy, and industrially grown truffles are significantly inferior to them in quality.

Truffles are edible delicious mushrooms belonging to the genus of marsupial fungi. They have one interesting feature: they do not have legs or caps, like other mushrooms, and their appearance is more like a potato tuber.

Truffles grow underground, at a depth of approximately 10-20 centimeters. The mycelium, the vegetative body of the truffle, lives in symbiosis only with the roots of deciduous trees. At the same time, different types of truffles live on the roots of different woody plants. For example, the Italian truffle is found on the roots of birch, linden, poplar or hawthorn.

Due to the fact that truffles grow exclusively underground, their search and collection have some peculiarities. In autumn, during the harvest period, ripe truffles emit a specific smell that can only be detected by specially trained dogs or pigs. Mushrooms emit aroma for a short time, so the working season of truffle pickers lasts no more than one or two months. But with a high level of professionalism and having a well-trained animal, you can earn a fortune in a short period, because truffles are very expensive. In addition to the difficulty of collecting and the great rarity of truffles, the high price is also due to their excellent taste. At the height of the season, the best restaurants in Europe offer gourmets to try dishes made from fresh truffles.

The most valuable types of truffle, the cost of which reaches up to $50,000 per kilogram, are considered to be white and black truffles growing in Central Europe. The white ones are native to Italian Piedmont and Umbria, while the black ones can be found in Périgord, France. White truffles, or Italian ones, are considered the most fragrant.

Such a high cost of truffles prompted Europeans to think about growing these exotic mushrooms. People tried to grow truffles back in the 19th century. For greater efficiency, oak seedlings were specially selected, under the crowns of which a large number of truffles were found. At the end of the 19th century, entire truffle groves flourished in France, which annually brought up to 1000 tons of elite mushrooms. But over time, the yield of the plantations began to decline, and the general decline of agriculture in the country led to the fact that truffle cultivation was abandoned by farmers.

But the initiative for industrial cultivation was taken up by China, which is currently the world leader in truffle production. Naturally, Chinese truffles are valued much lower on the market than their European relatives. Experts believe that Chinese goods are inferior to natural analogues in taste and aroma. But, despite the disapproving whispers of gourmets, Chinese truffles continue to conquer the European market, solely due to their low price.

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Search for tasty mushrooms

Collecting truffles is a real hunt. Who searches for truffles with a person? Helpers are pigs and dogs, as well as insects and bears. Truffle hunting is the province of the trifulau. The craft of these craftsmen is shrouded in mysteries, secrets that hunters do not want to tell the public. Trifulau call themselves representatives of the fairy-tale world, like gnomes and fairies. Truffle harvesting is focused on the phases of the moon.

According to legend, craftsmen hunt only at night, and they always have a white dog with them. Trifulau hunting locations are a professional secret. It is passed down from generation to generation and hidden from competitors. At the market, craftsmen bargain in whispers and hide jewelry in their pockets.

To find truffles in the forest you will need a pig. The pig is the first animal that helped man in his search for mushrooms. First you need to train the pig to smell it. If a pig smells it in the forest where truffles usually grow, it will start digging. The hunter needs to drive away the animal in time, otherwise the delicacy will go to the last one.

Pigs have been looking for truffles for quite a long time, and in return they will receive peas or boiled beans from their owners.

A trained pig can help its owner-hunter for up to 10 years. But these animals get tired quickly, and it is difficult for them to search in large areas. In such cases, the search for truffles can be entrusted to the dog.

How are truffles collected?

Black Summer (Russian) settles close to the soil surface. The collection period occurs at the end of summer and beginning of autumn. The white harvest period occurs in the months from January to March.

It is almost impossible to find them on your own and without preparation. Therefore, there are entire schools teaching collection techniques for people and dogs. It is impossible to find a mushroom without a special animal, so you should be especially careful when choosing a pig or dog. The mushroom is difficult not only to find, but also to remove it from the ground without damaging the shell of the mushroom and the root system of the tree. If its shell is damaged, it will almost completely lose its value.

Therefore, I advise everyone to go through a special school for collecting truffles, and also train your dog, mine accidentally damaged the mushroom and all I had to do was take it to my friend’s coffee shop and treat myself to delicious coffee with truffle crumbs.

The dog took the trail

A dog trained to search for truffles costs about several thousand dollars. Hunters choose females, but not hunting breeds, so as not to be distracted by the smell of game.

How do dogs collect truffles? First you need to accustom your puppy to the smell of mushrooms. He is given milk containing mushroom broth. After this, they begin training - the sticks are rubbed with this mushroom, and then hidden in the room, then in the garden, forest. After training, the dog will help its owner find truffles.

Some dogs learn in just a couple of days.

Red Reishi

It is called Lacquered tinder fungus , but in China and Korea it is known as “ ling-zhi ”. This can be translated as “mushroom of immortality.” In Japan it is called " reishi ", which means "mushroom of spiritual power".

It grows at the base of weakened or dead trees and is ubiquitous. Its cap is reddish in color, but can also be brownish-violet.

Its value is its medicinal properties. Red reishi has been used in medicine for more than 2 thousand years. Recent studies have shown that the biologically active substances contained in this mushroom have antiviral, antitumor, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory effects, and stimulate the immune system.

A kilogram of this mushroom costs about 2000 rubles or more .

Helper flies and bears

The search for truffles using insects began in France, where black Perigord mushrooms can be found. At sunset, swarms of yellow flies appear. The mushroom picker can only find the place where they circle, laying their larvae. To get a product that you can eat, you should hurry: insects can spoil the delicacy.

Bears also have a weakness for these representatives of the mushroom kingdom. This was used by peasants from the provinces of Russia. But the furry assistants have a very obstinate character. Yes, and feeding an adult is quite difficult. That is why most often hunters for this delicacy take their dog with them.

And one last interesting fact. These mushrooms are mentioned in the computer game World of Warcraft. The game contains a task called “Truffle cycle in nature.” Gamblers probably know that it is correct to collect them.

What determines the high cost of these delicacies?

The sky-high prices for some mushrooms depend on many factors, explaining why their cost not only for 1 kg, but for one plant specimen can reach five zeros. Buying them in supermarkets or at the market is unrealistic. They, like expensive wine or jewelry, are exhibited at special auctions, where gourmets who want to treat themselves to unprecedented rarities demonstrate to each other the strength of desire and the size of their wallet.

Objectively, we can say that for specialists the monetary value of a certain type of mushroom is based on:

• specifics of growth conditions;
• rare occurrence;
• taste qualities;
• beneficial properties;
• methods of collection and storage.

All of these reasons, or just some of them, form the price of a particular type and determine its place in the ranking.

Boletus

A representative of the Obabok genus, common in coniferous and mixed forests of Europe and North America. You can find this cute mushroom with a strong stem and a reddish-orange cap under spreading, large trees, on moist, mossy soil.

Its characteristic feature is a change in color of the pulp upon contact with oxygen, which turns from whitish or yellowish to bluish when cut. Boletuses are valued for their excellent taste and characteristic “mushroom” aroma, which adds piquancy to various dishes. Their pulp has a pleasant juiciness and a dense structure. They are used for food in fresh or dried form. The price of such a mushroom: from 400 to 700 rubles per kilogram.

What can you cook with truffle mushrooms?

The Truffle mushroom (its photo and description is presented in detail in the article) is often used for various culinary experiments. So, it can be sprinkled on meat, fish and vegetable dishes. Small pieces of truffles are added to pizza, soups, and rice. These mushrooms go great with almost any treat. As a result, all delicacies acquire a unique aroma.

Interestingly, modern chefs even add such mushrooms to desserts. For example, they are served with ice cream, meringues, and nut treats.

Chanterelles

Or Cantharellus cibarius belongs to the genus Cantarelaceae. Unlike many other mushrooms, it is practically not damaged by pests. You can recognize a fox by the following signs:

Its pulp is dense, elastic, white or yellowish in color, has a rich aroma and excellent taste. Valued for its content of carotene and other valuable elements. It is not recommended for people with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, as it is difficult to digest. It is fried, stewed, and used as a side dish for dishes. Price: from 250 to 300 rubles per kilogram.

Compound

The truffle contains antioxidants, plant proteins, pheramones (due to which the mushroom is considered an aphrodisiac), dietary fiber, vitamins B1, B2, B3, PP, C. The calorie content of 100 g of the product is 24 Kcal.

The mushroom helps to increase the body's defenses and normalize digestion. Thanks to its unique composition, truffle has a positive effect on male potency and improves the function of the visual apparatus.

It is not recommended to use truffle mushroom if you have an individual intolerance, or if you have digestive problems.

The main assistants when hunting are not truffles

A very long time ago, when they first started using truffles for food, pigs were used for searching. Pigs, especially sows, detect the aroma of the mushroom themselves without special skills, so they are trained only to make it easier to take away the expensive delicacy from them.

Who helps look for truffle mushrooms and where they grow

Today, this method of searching for mushrooms has been preserved only in some parts of France; Italy has legally prohibited the use of pigs in mushroom hunting activities.

Hunters in France admit that searching for truffles with a pig is less mobile, more tiring and cumbersome; when found, the pig always tries to eat the mushroom in any way and there is a possibility that the surviving mushrooms will be spoiled.

Pigs are used in mushroom hunting activities due to their innate gift for this. But pigs aren't the only ones with a good sense of smell. Although dogs do not have an innate craving for eating this type of mushroom, they have an excellent ability to hear different aromas. All that remains is to teach them to identify the right one and find the source.

There are no special requirements for the breed of dogs for truffle searches, but in Italy they bred a special breed called Lagotto Romangolo. In the Piedmont region, it is believed that the best breed for searching for the mushroom is still the common mongrel, where they are affectionately called tabui.

Who helps look for truffle mushrooms and where they grow

The cost of a “truffle dog” of the Lagotto Romanangolo breed has a price range from 1,000 to 20,000 euros. The price directly depends on the length of the pedigree.

White truffle

The shape is somewhat similar to a potato tuber, smooth, first whitish in color, then yellowish-brown. White truffle has a strong smell and a nutty taste. One of the most expensive delicious mushrooms, but in Spain, France, and Italy it is considered poisonous. Proper heat treatment is necessary so that it does not cause harm.

You will have to pay from 7 to 9 thousand dollars per kg. But this is not the limit. In 2007, Stanley Ho, an American billionaire, paid $330 thousand for a truffle weighing about 500 g. One buyer, who did not want to reveal his identity, bought a 750-gram mushroom for 100 thousand euros at the 79th White Truffle Festival in Alba.

Honey fungus

This name hides a whole group of mushrooms belonging to various families and genera, which received their name because of the place where they grow: on stumps or dying trees. Some varieties continue to grow even in winter, emerging from under the snow during thaws.

Due to the fact that most of the species of these mushrooms are considered conditionally edible, they are practically not consumed in Western Europe. In our country, autumn honey mushrooms are quite popular and are used for pickling and pickling. Their price is quite reasonable: about 100 – 300 rubles per kilogram.

Important: These mushrooms must be eaten after careful heat treatment! If undercooked, they can trigger the development of allergies and eating disorders!

Black truffle

Black truffle is also called French truffle . It is reddish in color and later becomes jet black and turns reddish when pressed.

Black truffle has firm flesh. It is initially light, grayish or pinkish with a marbled pattern, but then becomes dark. It smells strong. The taste is pleasant, but a little bitter. It is found next to oak trees, at a depth of several cm to half a meter.

Its cost is from 1 thousand dollars per kg.

Shiitake (Lentinula edodes)

This mushroom is also called Lentinula edible or Japanese forest mushroom. Habitat: semi-decomposed wood of deciduous trees. Its caps are used for food, mainly after drying. This mushroom is more popular in Asian countries.

Their medicinal properties have been known since ancient times. Shiitake mushrooms have been used to treat various diseases since the Ming Dynasty. Currently, it is also used to lower blood cholesterol levels, treat obesity or impotence in men. The average price of such mushrooms in dry form is about 1,700 rubles per kilogram.

What species can be found in Russia

There are mainly two types of truffle found in our country.

• White winter
• Black summer (Russian)

In the nature of Russia, black summer is found mainly near the Black Sea coast (Caucasus), the suburbs of the city of Sochi and on the Crimean peninsula.

The soil of mixed and deciduous forests is a growth zone for the fungus. In coniferous forests, hunters almost never encounter this “beast.” You need to look for it in soils near trees such as beech, oak and hornbeam. It grows extremely rarely in pine and hazel soils, but is still occasionally found.

He looks like a potato with large pyramidal warts

The central regions of our country allow you to find white truffles in their soils.

Regions:

• Orlovskaya
• Tula
• Smolenskaya
• Vladimirskaya
• Regions of the middle Volga region
• Rarely in the Moscow region and Leningrad region

It lives in the soils of oaks, less often than other deciduous trees.

Where do they grow?

Truffles grow in the warm climate of the temperate zone: France, Portugal, Spain, Croatia, and southern Germany. From the countries of the former Soviet Union, they grow in Belarus, Ukraine and central Russia. Mushrooms have a very bright aroma, for which this mushroom is valued. And specially trained pigs and dogs are used to hunt it.

Where do truffles grow?

Application

For one serving of a dish made from truffles, use 5-8 g of mushrooms. Truffle is served as an addition to the main dish, grated. French chefs combine it with poultry, lobsters and fruit salads.

The mushroom is also used as an independent dish with cream or wine sauce. Small truffles are used to fill pies and make truffle sauce. Exotic dishes are decorated with pieces of this delicious product.

Truffle is also used in cosmetology. Mushroom extract is included in expensive creams and masks designed to eliminate signs of age.

Olivier salad with quail meat, crayfish tails and truffles

Olivier salad with truffles

Ingredients

• quail - 75 g
• potato
• cucumber - 1 pc.
• soy sauce
• crayfish
• olives – 25 g
• olive oil – 30 ml
• vegetable oil - 350 ml
• corn salad
• truffles
• Lanspeak
• bay leaf - to taste
• white pepper
• dill
• egg
• tarragon
• sweet mustard
• salt - to taste

Preparation:

1. Boil the peeled potatoes for ten minutes.
2. Bring water to a boil in a saucepan, add bay leaves and dill and cook the crayfish for about five minutes.
3. Separate the quail meat from the bones and peel the skin. Heat olive oil in a frying pan and fry the meat in it. At the end of frying, add salt and pepper.
4. We take the crayfish out of the pan. Clearing cancer necks from their shells
5. Cut the quail meat and place it together with the crayfish necks on a plate.
6. Cucumbers. Wash and cut into slices. Add to the plate to the crayfish necks, add chopped boiled potatoes, thinly sliced ​​Lanspeek truffle, and olives.
7. To make the Provencal dressing, separate the yolks from the whites. To the yolks add Bavarian mustard or any sweet mustard, vegetable oil and chopped tarragon leaves. Blend for two minutes, add soy sauce, vegetable oil and beat for another two minutes. Season the salad with the prepared dressing, pouring it evenly over the ingredients.

Our salad is ready.