Do you know what a truffle is?

Many people have heard about this amazing mushroom. We know that this mushroom grows somewhere under the earth, and without the help of four-legged assistants (pigs or dogs) it is almost impossible to find it. Perhaps, on this our knowledge ends. And yet what is a truffle? What kind of species? Why is he so good?

Some information about truffles

Truffles belong to the genus of marsupial fungi, having underground tuberous fruit bodies. The nearest relatives of truffles are morels.

Truffles are usually found in deciduous forests. Mycelium trussel (mycelium) forms with the roots of the plant under which it grows, a stable and mutually beneficial association called mycorrhiza. In total there are nine kinds of truffles that grow in different parts of the world, each species prefers its own tree species. Sometimes truffles are called mushrooms, which have similar fruit bodies, which can also be eaten, but they are much more valuable than real ones. There is also an inedible for humans kind of truffle - deer, which is eaten by deer and some rodents.

By the way, a person is not able to find the place where the truffle is located. Mushroom (where this forest delicacy grows, only animals can determine) has a specific smell. Usually specially trained dogs and pigs are attracted for this purpose.

What is the taste of a truffle like? How is it different from ordinary fungi? This truffle has its own unique flavor and taste. It reminds both well-seasoned sunflower seeds, walnuts, forest berries, moss, fallen leaves - that's what a truffle is. The water into which the truffle needs to be placed for a while becomes similar to soy sauce.

According to historians, it was known to ancient Sumerians about what a truffle is, how to extract and consume it. In Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome this fungus was attributed to medicinal properties, and medieval alchemists and magicians used it for witchcraft purposes. But the greatest popularity they received during the reign of Louis XIV. To us in Russia truffles got after the Patriotic War of 1812

Types of truffles growing in Europe

In Europe, the following types of truffles are encountered:

• Summer (also called black Russian) truffle. Has a tuberous or rounded fruiting body of brownish-black or bluish-black color. Usually grows under the roots of birch, oak, hornbeam, beech. It is distributed practically throughout all Europe up to Scandinavia (including in Russia). Not as valuable as other types of truffles, but also considered a delicacy.
• Winter truffle. Its shell (peridium) is covered with polygonal or thyroid formations. The fungus is reddish-violet or black. It occurs mainly in Italy, France, Switzerland. It smells like musk.
• Italian truffle. Despite its name is also found in France and other European countries. Fruits are painted in a light ocher or brownish color. Has a pleasant spicy smell, and to taste like garlic cheese. Used, as a rule, in raw form.
• Black (also called Perigord in the historical region of France) is a truffle. Mushroom, the price of which reaches 1000 € per kilogram, has a color ranging from reddish-brown to black-purple. Can be used both in cooked and raw form as a seasoning.

By the way, truffles can be grown, although not in the same way as, for example, champignons. Even in the XIX century it was noticed that if you plant acorns from the oak tree, under which truffles grow, then these mushroom delicacies will grow under the roots of the new tree. In France, where they know well what a truffle is, at the time, 750 km ² were planted by such groves, from which they managed to harvest 1,000 tons of these delicacies. Unfortunately, this process is very lengthy. To obtain a full crop it takes about 30 years, after which the number of truffles collected drops sharply.