Truffles are one of the most diverse line of mushrooms, and probably also one of the earliest. It includes about 180 species that grow throughout the world. White truffle is one of them. Photo of the mushroom, its description, features of the search and cultivation you will find in the article.
Description and photo
These mushrooms were not widely known until the beginning of the XVIII century. For the first time they were described by the famous French writer and culinary specialist Jean Briglia-Savaren. They are mentioned in the treatise "Physiology of Taste", devoted to various aspects of cooking. The work was published in 1825.
White truffle belongs to the genus Choiromyces. In Latin, it is indicated by two names: Choiromyces meandriformis and Choiromyces venosus. The first definition, meandriformis, indicates the texture of the surface of the fungus - sinuous. The second, venosum, means "streaked." In the Russian language there are also synonymous names for white truffle: Polish, Trinity.
The mushroom is a sphere of irregular shape, tuberous, resembling a potato tuber. Inside, it is white, and its surface is yellowish brown. In older specimens - with reddish spots. The surface layer does not have a distinct skin. However, although the truffle looks so exotic, its chemical composition is not too different from other types of mushrooms.
The fruit body (apothecia) of the fungus is completely or partially immersed in the soil. This complicates the harvesting process and at the same time explains why these mushrooms became known quite late. The spore bag is spherical in shape, with processes. Located either on internal veins, or in apothecia. The smell of the mushroom is nutty, pronounced, intensifies as it grows.
Season and Growth Places
Truffles can be found shallow underground, in various types of forests, especially under beech trees.; less often - under the pines. Often this happens in mountainous areas. Mushrooms grow absent-mindedly, sometimes in nests. Harvest Date - October. Choiromyces meandriformis is often found in Europe, including in Poland, Russia and Ukraine.
Truffle is considered the most valuable mushroom in the world. The highest price ever paid for a black Perigord truffle (Tuber melanosporum) was $ 9,000 (about $ 6,000) per kilogram. Typically, prices range from 3,000 to 3,500 US dollars.
Edibility and taste
Edibility Choiromyces meandriformis it is considered differently in different countries of Europe. Some sources do not recommend using it in its raw form, as well as using overripe samples.
Due to the peculiar nutty taste in Northern Europe, it is considered a delicacy.; however, in the South it is considered toxic. In Spain, the mushroom is banned for sale in accordance with Appendix D to Royal Decree No. 30/2009 of January 16, 2009.
Did you know? Gourmet connoisseurs call truffles “black diamonds of culinary”.
White Truffle Mushrooms
Immature specimens Choiromyces meandriformis can be confused with a particularly high-quality truffle - white Italian (Tuber magnatum) This is the rarest and most expensive species. It grows by the piece and is usually hidden underground. To find it, you need to be very careful, because people don’t smell it, but they feel flies, and it is their swarm that the mushroom picker should notice.
Given that the average buyer is not so well versed in grades, it is beneficial for unscrupulous merchants to sell the cheaper Choiromyces meandriformis instead of Tuber magnatum.
White Truffle Search Features
Truffles are especially hard to find since you don't see them. This mushroom does not push up the hat and does not release spores - he keeps them inside his not too noticeable shell. During harvest, the truffle begins to emit an almost imperceptible smell. It attracts animals that feed on mushrooms, and thus gets the opportunity to spread their spores in the dung of those who ate it.
Important! If you don’t know if you have truffle, cut it with a knife. A solid core cut will produce a beautiful marble-like pattern.
Search Tips:
- Focus on animals. Voles, squirrels and chipmunks love these mushrooms just like people do. And if you see signs that animals rummaged in this place, it means that there may be mushrooms. If you find one, then next you can find the second.
- Look near the roots of trees. Each type of truffle forms mycorrhiza with a specific type of tree. Whites grow near beech trees - you are unlikely to find them under maples and cedars. But you can search under the pines or Douglas fir.
- Once you find a suitable area, push your hand under the leaf layer near the trunk. If you find a solid, rounded object the size of a walnut under your fingertips, this is a truffle. There may be several of them nearby. When you collect, return the foliage to its place.
- Smell what you found. If the find smells of an earthy, garlic, pungent odor, then it is ripe and edible.
- If the weather is cool and cloudy, it has recently rained, then the truffle temporarily does not smell - he needs to warm up to give a flavor. If you pluck the unripe mushrooms, wrap them in a napkin and put in the refrigerator for 1 week; there they ripen.
Growing at home
Although truffles have been grown commercially for over 100 years, the conditions for their cultivation are still not fully understood. The fact is that their development is the result of complex symbiotic relationships between soil, fungus, tree and climate. And all this happens outside of our attention - underground.
For the development of mycelium, an oceanic, semi-continental or continental climate is suitable with sufficient rainfall in the summer and not too low temperature in the fall, so truffle is widespread in Europe. And since it is resistant to heat, it can grow in the Asian region.
Important! The cost depends on the size: the larger, the more expensive. In diameter, one mushroom can be from 30 to 120 mm.
The fungus is loyal to most types of soils, but prefers well-drained Cretaceous, limestone, clay, sand, loamy. It is able to grow on fertile, humus-rich soils, however, with any type of soil, it needs calcium.
Active growth begins after rain. Look for mushrooms next to deciduous and coniferous trees. Part of the fruit body is visible above the ground, so it is difficult to find, but it is possible.
Basic requirements for growing:
- requires an area with suitable soil: drained, aerated, with a high pH (from 7.5 to 8.0);
- chemical analysis of the soil is necessary to determine the place of planting; a high potassium plot is required.
- if the soil dries in the middle of summer, an irrigation system will be required;
- no mushrooms competing with the truffle for moisture and nutrition should be on the plot.
In the fall, place the mycelium near the roots of a young hazel bush in a container. When the fruiting body sprouts, you need to wait 2 weeks. If the development is successful, leave it in quarantine in a nursery or in a greenhouse until it is planted in the ground.
So, the cultivation of these exotic mushrooms can give a good profit, however, it is still a young and inaccurate science. And such a trend exists in all countries. Therefore, in order to get a crop, you will need to take samples, analyze and correct errors. And for this you need patience.
