Black truffles are a type of marsupial mushrooms whose fruiting bodies develop underground. Gourmets are ready to pay incredible money, just to feel their refined taste and aroma. The price per kilogram of real black truffles reaches thousands of dollars and more. And the demand for these products in expensive restaurants is not decreasing.
Black Truffle Mushroom
Fruit bodies ripening in the soil form mycorrhiza with the oak root system or other deciduous trees. Black truffle (photo above) usually has an irregular or spindle-shaped shape, reaches from 3 to 9 cm in diameter. The surface is dark (reddish-brown); when ripe, it is black; it is painted with pressure in the color of rust. On a slice of pulp, a marbled texture is clearly shown on a gray or pinkish background.
Since in the natural environment the depth at which fruiting bodies develop can be up to half a meter, the search for black truffles was previously carried out with the help of trained pigs. The specific smell of mushrooms attracts animals over tens of meters, and they clearly indicate the place to their owners, trying to dig them out. Truffles are served in restaurants in raw (as seasoning) or cooked form. The taste of the “black diamond” is piquant with a characteristic aroma and barely expressed bitterness.
Specifications
Black truffles are believed to be capable of evoking sensory associations and specific desires. The aroma of real mushrooms resembles a bouquet of smells in which walnuts, moss, berries, fallen leaves on forest soil are guessed. Although the truffle in chemical composition is no different, gourmets in expensive restaurants order a delicacy as an elegant seasoning or as an addition to the main dish.
The quality of the product does not depend on the proportions of the fungus. Although the restaurants prefer the size of no more than an orange. It is convenient to cut such a mushroom into thin slices so that you can evaluate the original appearance and the marble texture on the slice clearly appears. The largest instance of black truffle (2.5 kg) was found in 1951.
Similar species
Specialists distinguish more than 40 varieties of truffles. They are divided into genera, distinguishing among them groups depending on the region: Italian (Piedmontese), Perigorsk, Oregon, Chinese, Black Russian, Himalayan, Central Asian. The ripening season distinguishes between summer and winter subspecies. Traditionally, black truffles are considered real.
Differences appear in appearance. The characteristic black color with a warty surface can change to almost smooth and creamy and even almost white. The marble texture on the cut is also different. Contrasting dark with bright white veins is appreciated. Although the “white Piedmontese” truffle with an inexpressive faded pattern as rarer may cost even more. The taste of real black truffles is bright and intense. Winter varieties have a more intense musky aroma.
Growth environment
Look for black truffles in deciduous forests. They prefer light, porous, calcareous soil. It is extremely difficult to determine the place of possible mushroom growth in advance. Many factors influence: groundwater level, abundance of precipitation, age of trees, composition of associated vegetation, climatic features of the region and a specific site.
Black truffles are little known to mushroom pickers in Russia. The specifics of their search imposes additional conventions. If someone accidentally saw a similar mushroom that miraculously made its way to the surface and was not found in time by wild animals, then not everyone is ready to recognize a representative of the Truffle family in it.
Harvesting season depends on the species. Winter truffles ripen in October. In areas with a warm climate, the season begins in the early days of the new year and lasts until March. Summer truffles can be sought until late autumn. Historic places of growth - France, Italy, Spain. But similar species can be found throughout the European continent. In Russia, due to the climate and deep freezing of the soil, only the summer variety of truffles grows.
Search Features
Collecting black truffles with trained pigs is not always convenient. They have a natural scent, but it’s hard to train them. In addition, they quickly tire. When discoveries are found, they seek to dig up the mushroom as soon as possible, damaging the soil.
A dog trained for the smell of truffles is more profitable in this regard. But it takes time and practice to prepare a good bloodhound. The learning process follows a standard scheme. From puppy age, food with the smell of truffles is added to food. It is cooked on broths of mushrooms. They rub various objects with them, hide them, and then offer to find a cache. Later, the bookmark is buried in the ground. At the same time they are accustomed to the area where the collection is planned.
To find the place of truffles, according to experts, it is possible by the presence of swarming midges. Red flies are fond of places where truffles grow, for laying eggs. From them, larvae hatch in the soil, which penetrate the fruiting body of the fungus and feed on it until it ripens. Truffle spots can also be identified by abundantly dug soil. Wild pigs, moose and other animals are also not averse to enjoy the delicacy.
Artificial cultivation
The complexity of this process is due to the method of distribution of spores. Mushrooms ripen underground, and therefore the species has adapted to survive in special conditions. Mushrooms with spores are eaten by wild animals, pass through the digestive tract and with excretion fall back into the soil. If the conditions are suitable, they germinate, form mycorrhiza with the root system of deciduous trees. After some time, the fruit bodies of truffles grow out of the developed mycelium.
There have been successful attempts to grow mushrooms on artificial plantations. Acorns from oaks, at the foot of which truffles were found, were collected and planted in prepared soil. After 6–7 years, mycelial filaments were found among the roots of some young oak trees. After some time, the fruiting bodies of the mushrooms also appeared. Currently, black truffles are cultivated in different countries. Large volumes of quality products are sourced from China. The Australian growing system is well established.
Black truffles among tomatoes
This variety of tomatoes is not widespread among gardeners and summer residents. But due to the exotic appearance of the fruit, customers are increasingly asking it. There is debate about the origin of the variety. Some claim that the tomato was bred by Russian selection. However, they are usually classified as "Japanese Truffle". Black is also present in the color scheme of fruits. What is the peculiarity of these tomatoes? Is it only for the sake of exotic color that breeders bred this variety?
Such tomatoes are classified as mid-season varieties. From the appearance of the first seedlings to fruiting, an average of 115 days passes. The bush with proper care is formed up to 1.5–2 meters high and requires mandatory garters. Tomatoes are tied in the hands. 5–6 groups are usually formed on their stem; 3-4 brushes manage to mature. Unripe tomatoes are harvested and set aside for ripening. They can reach the condition by the beginning of winter, if they were collected in October. Weight of tomatoes on average about 100-150 grams. From one bush you can collect up to 4 kg. The pulp is dense, few seeds. To taste, the tomatoes are sweetish, with barely distinguishable acidity. The skin color is brilliant. On the sides, longitudinal grooves are distinguishable.
Black truffle tomato: reviews
The advantages of the variety include the ability to withstand temperature extremes and a short temperature drop. The fruits ripen before the first autumn frost. Unripe tomatoes can persist at normal temperatures for 3-4 months. High resistance of "truffles" to fungal infections is also noted.
Ripe fruits are well suited for canning. In the bank they look original. A salad of fresh tomatoes also looks the same, where among the standard red and yellow shades there are pieces of saturated dark brown with a purple tint (eggplant) color. In the variety of tomatoes "Japanese truffle" distinguish several species. The most original is the black truffle tomato.
The description of the remaining subspecies differs in the color scheme of the fruit. In addition to the traditional red hue, pink and yellow are also distinguished. The fruits of all colors have a characteristic pear-shaped shape. The peel of the fruit and the pulp are dense, the variety can withstand transportation well. Tomatoes of different colors taste different. The most sweet are yellow species. They can be compared with fruits, but the "black truffles" have a peculiar (noble) flavor.