Truffle (Tuber) is a marsupial-type mushroom that forms underground tuberous and fleshy fruiting bodies. This is the most expensive and valuable mushroom delicacy.
Despite the fact that the fruit bodies of the marsupial variety do not look very attractive, the finished mushroom dishes have an excellent taste and expressively smell incredibly pleasant. Dishes based on such a product are highly valued not only in the restaurants of our country, but also among foreign consumers.
What do truffles look like
The fruiting body grows underground, has a round or tuberous shape, and also has a fleshy or cartilaginous structure. Apothecia in an adult truffle, as a rule, are closed, and can vary in size from the diameter of a hazelnut to the diameter of a fairly large potato tuber. The outer side of the fruit bodies is represented by a leathery layer called peridium. The surface of the peridium is smooth, cracked, or covered with polyhedral warts. On the cut, a marble pattern is represented by alternating light veins or “internal veins” and dark veins or “external veins”.
Truffle - the most expensive and valuable mushroom delicacy
Where truffles grow in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus
Valuable fruiting bodies are sought in deciduous forests, where they are able to form mycorrhiza with woody roots. For example, black truffle smells very expressive and most often grows next to oaks, beeches, hornbeam and hazel, while white truffle has a milder aroma and creates mycorrhiza with birches, poplars, elms, lindens, mountain ash and hawthorn. Ideal places for growing are considered to be Portugal, Spain, Italy and Germany.
On the territory of our country, this valuable mushroom rarely grows in the Moscow, Vladimir, Tula, Oryol and Smolensk regions, but is quite common on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, as well as in the Middle Volga region. In Ukraine, for truffles, the optimal soil and climatic conditions are the Lviv region, the Carpathians and the Khmelnytsky region, as well as the territory of Transcarpathia. On the territory of Belarus, a unique mushroom is found in the forests of the Svisloch-Berezinsky reserve.
Gallery: truffle mushrooms (25 photos)
Where truffles grow (video)
Taste and nutritional value of truffles
The undoubted benefits of fruiting bodies, as well as their the nutritional value and excellent taste determined by the chemical composition:
- proteins - 3.0 g;
- fat - 0.5 g;
- carbohydrates - 2.0 g;
- dietary fiber - 1.0 g;
- water - 90.0 g;
- ash - 1.0 g;
- vitamin "B1" or thiamine - 0.02 mg;
- vitamin "B2" or riboflavin - 0.4 mg;
- vitamin "C" or ascorbic acid - 6.0 mg;
- vitamin "PP" - 9.5 mg;
- niacin - 9.0 mg;
- monosaccharides and disaccharides - 1.0 g.
The average energy value varies depending on the species, but most often it is 22-24 kcal.
About the benefits of truffle mushrooms
The benefits of truffles are undeniable. Fruiting bodies are a source of vitamins, which are especially important at the stage of active, rapid growth processes. Among other things, this product is an excellent antioxidant that helps rejuvenate the body. The ability of marsupial fungus to manifest itself as a very strong and effective aphrodisiac is also well known. Cosmetics based on this fungus make wrinkles less noticeable, get rid of age spots and tighten the skin. Truffle also helps to get rid of chronic fatigue and loss of strength.
Types of truffle mushrooms
Several types of truffles are well known, which differ not only in their appearance but also in taste and nutritional value.
T.aestivum - forms an underground modified apothecium, which has a tuberous or rounded shape with a brownish-black or bluish-black surface, on which black pyramidal warts are located. The flesh, depending on the stage of development, can be very firm or looser, whitish or brownish-grayish-yellow with light veins that form a marbled pattern. Taste is high. The pulp has a nutty and sweet taste, as well as a very pleasant and pronounced aroma with slightly grassy notes. Spores yellow-brown, fusiform or oval, very characteristic mesh type. Fruits in summer or in the first decade of autumn.
T.brumale - forms irregular spherical or almost round fruiting bodies with peridium covered with polygonal or thyroid warts, sometimes of a deep type. The outer part is red-violet or black. The color of the pulp changes from white to grayish or grayish-violet with a large number of white and yellowish-brown marbled veins. Spores are ellipsoidal or oval in shape, different in size, brown in color, with curved superficial spines. It bears fruit from November to the last decade of spring.
Truffle Italian or Piedmontese
T. magnatum - forms an underground type of modified apothecia, represented by uneven and tuberous bodies with an uneven surface, covered with a thin and velvety, light ocher or slightly brownish skin that does not separate from the pulp. The internal structure is dense, whitish or yellowish-gray in color, sometimes with a reddish tinge. The flesh is characterized by the presence of a white and creamy brown marble pattern, with a pleasant and spicy aroma reminiscent of garlic cheese. Spores are yellowish-brown, oval in shape, with a reticulate pattern. Collection of fruiting bodies is carried out from the last decade of September until the end of January.
Perigord truffle or black truffle
T. melanosporum - forms modified underground tuberous apothecia, rounded or irregular in shape, with a reddish-brown or jet-black surface that changes color to orange during pressure. The peel is covered with numerous small multifaceted irregularities. The structure is hard, light gray or pinkish brown in color with a whitish or reddish-pink marbled pattern in section. The pulp has a very strong and characteristic aroma, as well as a pleasant taste with bitterness. Spores are dark brown, fusiform or oval in shape, with a curve. The collection is carried out from November to March.
Truffles are sometimes referred to as other varieties that have similar fruiting bodies. Most often they belong to the genus Choiromyces, Elarhomyces and Terfezia:
- Terfetia lion-yellow- a North African variety that has a rounded and uneven shape, as well as a brownish or whitish-yellow surface coloration. The pulp is light in color, mealy type, moist, with pronounced whitish streaks and brown spots;
- Elafomyces granulosa- characterized by the presence of an outer crust, on top of which numerous small warts are densely located. Fruiting bodies with an ocher-brown or yellowish-ocher surface covering white or grayish flesh.
On the territory of our country, the Caucasian variety of Terfezia transcausasis, well known under the name of tombalan, grows. A variety of marsupial mushrooms, quite widespread in the territory of Azerbaijan and the Absheron Peninsula, as well as in Nagorno-Karabakh and Central Asia.
Useful properties of truffle mushrooms (video)
How and when to look for truffles
The collection of fully mature fruiting bodies is carried out, as a rule, in the last summer decade or at the beginning of the autumn period. Most often, mushrooms of this species grow in glades well-lit by sunlight, along the edge of an oak grove, near birch groves, and can also be found in aspen and alder plantations. To determine the location of mushrooms, pigs and dogs are specially trained, which have the best sense of smell, which helps to find mushrooms due to their very peculiar and rather strong aroma.
Truffle places can be quite easily identified by the presence of grayish-ash coloring of the soil, as well as the appearance of withered or stunted mosses and herbage. As a rule, fruit bodies are represented by several specimens at once in one place, some of which can sometimes protrude above ground level. It is best to collect fruiting bodies in the evening hours. In many countries, specially trained domestic or farm animals are used to search for mushrooms.
Features of growing truffles at home
Difficulties in growing, seasonality of obtaining fruiting bodies, as well as high taste and aromatic qualities explain the high cost of such a product. Despite the fact that it is customary to massively grow truffle plantations in many foreign countries, you can also get quite decent yields at home. To properly grow valuable bodies, You need to adhere to the following recommendations and phased technology:
- the acquisition of mushroom mycelium on a substrate or a special substrate;
- harvesting fallen oak, walnut, beech branches and foliage, as well as moss;
- the acquisition of peat nutrient substrate for the cultivation of indoor plants;
- selection of a tree and digging several holes around it up to a quarter of a meter deep and up to 10 cm in diameter;
- filling each dug hole by ½ with prepared nutrient peat substrate;
- laying mushroom mycelium and powdering it with a nutritious peat substrate, followed by dense tamping;
- abundant watering of the mushroom planting with rain or melt water;
- laying the prepared mixture based on foliage, moss and branches, followed by watering.
The timing of the appearance of the first crop directly depends on the soil and weather conditions, as well as the quality characteristics of the planting material. As a rule, the first fruiting occurs after three to four years.
You can also get quite a decent yield of truffles at home.
How to cook truffle mushrooms
A valuable delicacy forest product must be properly prepared. A very tasty and original combination can be obtained from mushrooms with pasta, rice and eggs. One of the most popular dishes served in famous establishments is Champagne Truffles, for the preparation of which you will need:
- prepare a fatty broth from a liter of water and 500 g of pork, which should be cooked for about an hour and a half;
- cut four fruiting bodies into thin slices and put in a saucepan, adding about 100 g of pork fat and a small amount of meat broth;
- after boiling, add 2/3 cup of champagne.
The resulting composition is cooked on a very slow fire for half an hour, after which the dish is decorated and served on the table.
A very original and exquisite dish is Pasta with Anchovies and Truffle. For cooking, you need to finely chop one truffle and five anchovies, then grind four garlic cloves with a press. In a well-heated olive oil in a shallow frying pan, put the chopped mushrooms with anchovies, then add all the chopped garlic, a little black pepper and a small amount of red pepper. Salt is added to taste. The mixture, fried for a couple of minutes, is added to the pasta pre-boiled until fully cooked. The finished dish must be seasoned with grated parmesan before serving.
How to cook truffle mushrooms (video)
How to properly store fresh truffles
The average shelf life of freshly harvested truffle fruiting bodies, regardless of species, is not too long. To feel the unique and very refined mushroom aroma, it is necessary to cook the dish for several hours, as early as possible, preferably immediately after harvesting the fruiting bodies.
There are several ways to extend the shelf life. The storage of the collected fruiting bodies in rice has proven itself best, and the storage of the most valuable mushrooms in oil allows you to give it a simply unique and very mild aroma. For the purpose of the longest possible storage, it is desirable to freeze freshly harvested truffle fruiting bodies.
Gallery: truffle mushrooms (40 photos)
The most expensive mushroom, "black diamond" - that's what they say about truffles. You don't hear that about every mushroom. Often, besides the fact that they are very expensive, we do not know anything about these mushrooms. So what is special, besides the cost, in such, at first glance, nondescript lumps? Let's learn about it from the article.
What does a truffle look like
Truffles belong to the section of marsupial mushrooms. All this is due to the fact that their spores are in the very body of the fungus.
A delicacy grows underground. For normal growth, he needs to enter into symbiosis with a tree. The mushroom picker, as it were, envelops the root system of the tree, so it better absorbs nutrients from the soil.
The truffle does not have a pronounced leg and cap, its body is tuberous. Visually, it is somewhat similar to potatoes. In size, these delicacies range from very tiny (the size of a nut) to larger ones (the size of an orange). Weight ranges from a few grams to a kilogram (but such giants are extremely rare). 
The skin, depending on the species, can be almost black or light (white truffles). The flesh also varies in color depending on the species, but in all mushrooms in the context it resembles a marble pattern. This product can be consumed raw.
Truffles
There are more than a hundred varieties of this mushroom, but we will consider the most common ones.
Black summer
Black summer, also known as black Russian, grows in deciduous or mixed forests under the roots of oak, beech or birch. The soil prefers with lime. Distributed in Central Europe, found on the coast of the Caucasus. The season for this mushroom is summer and early autumn. 
The fruiting body of the black summer is tuberous or rounded, bluish or brown (closer to black) with black warts. The diameter reaches 10 cm.
The pulp of a young mushroom is quite dense, the older it is, the softer it is. The color of the flesh also changes with age from light to brownish. It tastes sweet with a nutty flavor. The smell is similar to the aroma of algae. Black summer is valued less than its relatives, although it is a delicacy.
Black winter
Winter truffle can be harvested from late autumn to March. It grows in Italy, Switzerland, in Western Ukraine and in the mountainous regions of Crimea.
The mushroom has a spherical shape up to 20 cm in diameter. The weight of an adult specimen can reach a kilogram or even more. 
Outside covered with numerous warts. The pulp with yellowish veins resembles a marble pattern. It is initially light, but over time it turns gray or even takes on a purple hue.
It has a strong musky smell. It is not valued as much as the rest of the "black" relatives.
Black Perigord (French)
The Perigord truffle takes its name from the historical region of Perigord in France. But it is also found in Italy (Umbria), Spain and Croatia. Harvesting season is from November to March.
The fruit body is tuberous in shape, up to 9 cm in diameter. The color of the young specimen is reddish-brown, the old one is black. The color of the pulp is gray or pinkish with time, from the appearance of spores it becomes dark brown or black, but light streaks remain. 
The aftertaste is bitter, and the smell resembles chocolate to some, and expensive alcohol to others.
This mushroom got its name from the territory in which it grows. The Himalayan truffle is a type of black winter truffle. The fruiting period is from mid-November to February.
The mushroom itself is quite small, only up to 5 cm in diameter. Its weight is no more than 50 g. 
The peel is dark with small growths. The pulp is elastic dark purple, almost black. Aroma with pronounced forest notes.
White Piedmontese (Italian)
It is most common in the Italian region of Piedmont and in the regions of France that border it. Most often grows in deciduous forests under oak, willow, poplar, occasionally under linden. The collection period is from the second decade of September to the end of January.
Tubers up to 12 cm in diameter. Weight - up to 300 g, but occasionally there are specimens up to 1 kg in weight. The surface is velvety, light orange or brown. 
The flesh is elastic, may be white or yellow-gray. The veins that form a marbled pattern are light or creamy brown.
The aroma of white truffle combines the smell of cheese and garlic.
Did you know? 50% of all truffles eaten in the world come from the French.
White Oregon (American)
This type of truffle can be found in the northwestern United States. Grows shallow in the soil near coniferous trees. It is harvested from October to January.
The fruit body is up to 7 cm in diameter. The weight can reach 250 g. The peel is light brown, the flesh is golden brown with light veins. 
The aroma of this forest delicacy has herbal and floral notes.
Red
This mushroom grows throughout Europe and in the west of Russia (up to the Urals). Prefers soil near coniferous trees or oak. Fruiting from late spring to August.
Tuber diameter up to 4 cm. Weight rarely exceeds 80 g.
The color of the mushroom is red-brown. The flesh is quite dense, dirty pink or beige. 
The aroma contains notes of grass, wine and coconut.
Red brilliant is the "brother" of the red truffle. It is found in the forests of Europe and Russia, most often under oak.
The underground inhabitants themselves are very small - they do not exceed 4 cm in diameter. Weight - about 45 g.
The skin is beige or brown. The flesh is grayish or brown with white streaks. 
The smell of this specimen has wine-pear notes with a slight coconut fragrance.
Important! Deer truffle - the only inedible of all members of the genus.
Autumn (burgundy)
This species, like many others, got its name from the place of growth (Burgundy). Its ripening period is from June to October.
The mushroom has a rounded shape, not exceeding 8 cm in diameter. Weight reaches 300 g. 
As a type of black fungus, autumn burgundy has a dark, almost black skin. The flesh is light brown with light veins.
Autumn truffle has the smell of hazelnuts and chocolate, for which it is appreciated by gourmets.
Chinese (Asian)
This type of truffle grows in southwestern China. Prefers cohabitation with oak, chestnut and pine. Its growth period is from December to February.
Tuber diameter up to 10 cm. Weight can reach up to 500 g. The peel is dark, dense. The pulp is firm, dark color with gray veins. 
The aroma is pronounced only in a mature mushroom. There are cases when a truffle is artificially flavored to pass it off as Perigord.
Where and how does it grow
Truffles are earth dwellers. They grow underground at the roots of trees. Each species prefers a certain area and trees.
The geography of growth of these mushrooms is quite diverse. They can be found throughout Europe, in the warm corners of Russia, in northern Africa and in the west of North America.
Most prefer broad-leaved trees - oak, birch, beech, poplar, elm, linden. Some grow under cedar or pine.
The underground dweller loves a warm, mild climate, so in our latitudes it can be found in the forests of Western Ukraine, in the Crimea, in Russian forests up to the Urals and in the Caucasus, as well as in Belovezhskaya Pushcha and Gomel region of Belarus.
How to search
The delicacy grows underground and is not easy to find. But there are some signs that a truffle lurks underground: 
- the vegetation above the fungus is more sparse;
- the earth takes on a gray tint;
- red flies use the fruiting body to feed the larvae, so they swarm around "appetizing" places.
Important! In Europe, you need a license to "hunt" truffles..
Chemical composition
Truffle is a dietary product - only 24 kcal per 100 g (3 g - proteins, 0.5 g - fats, 2 g - carbohydrates).
These delicacy products contain vitamins C (6 mg), B1 (0.02 mg), B2 (0.4 mg), PP (9.49 mg). It also contains the following elements:
- potassium;
- calcium;
- iron;
- sodium;
- copper.
Benefit and harm
The vitamins and minerals contained in these mushrooms have a positive effect on human health:
- have an antioxidant effect;
- help accelerate the recovery of the skin in case of cuts or diseases;
- prevent the development of malignant tumors in the large intestine;
- help maintain skin tone, reduce the appearance of wrinkles;
- favorably affect the microflora in the intestine.
These mushrooms cannot cause any harm to the human body, and the only contraindication to their use is individual intolerance to this product. Women should refrain from eating truffles during pregnancy and lactation, as well as preschool children.
How is it used in cooking
These mushrooms differ from other relatives in their special taste and aroma. The smell of these mushrooms may have nutty or herbal notes.
Truffle is used as an additive to sauces or as an aromatic spice, but most often this product is served raw, grated and added to the main dish. It is by coming into contact with other products that the aroma of truffles is revealed in full. 
The taste of this mushroom is similar to roasted nuts or seeds. It is inseparable from the aroma, gourmets sometimes say that they "eat the smell".
Why are truffles so expensive
The high cost of truffles is due to the fact that they are "extracted" very little. This mushroom does not grow in every forest and not even in every region. In addition, it is not so easy to find it, because it does not come to the surface. And the fact that it is a seasonal product completes its uniqueness.
Add to this a pleasant taste and breathtaking aroma - and here we get a rare expensive delicacy.
Did you know? The largest white truffle that was harvested weighed 1 kg 890 g.
By the way, the cost of a white truffle can reach 4,000 euros/kg. The larger it is, the more expensive. A black relative will cost from 1,500 to 2,500 dollars per kilogram.
It is believed that once you try this outlandish mushroom, its taste and aroma will forever remain in your memory. In addition to taste, this product is also very useful for the body. Gourmets advise: if you have the opportunity to taste this delicacy, do not miss it.
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