Content
- 1 What is black truffle
- 2 What does a black truffle look like?
- 3 How does black truffle grow?
- 4 Where does the black truffle grow?
- 5 Is it possible to eat black truffle
- 6 What does black truffle taste like?
- 7 How to eat black truffle
- 8 Benefits of black truffle
- 9 False doubles
- 10 How to grow black truffle at home
- 11 Conclusion
Black truffle (Tuber melanosporum) is a mushroom of the Truffleaceae family. It has a unique aroma and nutty taste. This is a delicious type of mushroom, one of the most expensive. It grows not only in the wild; valuable specimens are grown at home. This business requires considerable investment, but over time brings good income.
What is black truffle
Périgord, black, French truffle is an underground representative of the species with a round or irregular shape, reaching 9 cm in diameter. It is found in black, brown, reddish, and charcoal shades.
Classification:
- kingdom - mushrooms;
- family - Truffles;
- department – marsupials;
- class – Pezizomycetes;
- genus – Truffle;
- type – black truffle;
- Latin name: Tuber melanosporum.
What does a black truffle look like?
The fruiting body of this species is located under a layer of soil. The mushroom is covered with irregularities with several edges.Its surface shimmers in various shades: from burgundy to black. When pressed, it turns rusty. The mushroom has a round or irregular shape, dimensions are 3-9 cm.
The flesh of the black truffle (pictured) is firm, light, then gray or brown with a marbled pattern on the cut. Gradually it darkens and reaches black-violet. The fungal spores are curved, oval or spindle-shaped, 35x25 microns in size, dark brown.
Black truffle in section
How does black truffle grow?
The growth of the mushroom body occurs underground at a depth of 10-50 cm. Fungi interact with deciduous trees.
Where does the black truffle grow?
The black truffle forms mycorrhizae with oak and some other higher plants. You can find it in deciduous forests. The depth of growth is up to half a meter, more often several centimeters. This species is most common in France, Spain, and Italy.
In the Moscow region, black truffle can be found, but not so often. The mushroom grows from November to March; it is collected mainly in the first months of the year.
Black truffle grows in Russia. It can be found in the Oryol, Moscow, Tula, Vladimir, and Smolensk regions.
Is it possible to eat black truffle
Dishes with black truffle are considered a delicacy. This is a very tasty mushroom that stands out for its specific aroma. In Italy they season pasta and risotto. It goes well with eggs and is used to make cream.They also make preparations; canned black truffle retains its properties and aroma. This mushroom is beneficial for the body. Many people admire its taste, but there are also those who do not like it. Its rarity and high cost mean that not everyone can enjoy the delicacy.
The most common recipe is black truffle pasta. To prepare it you will need the following ingredients:
- dry pasta – 350 g;
- black truffle – 1 piece;
- cream – 250 ml;
- butter – 30 g;
- sea salt - to taste;
- grated parmesan – 100 g.
The truffle is cleaned and finely chopped. At this time, prepare the pasta. It is cooked al dente, that is, it is periodically tasted. Ready-made pasta does not stick to teeth, and also has a uniform color when cut. Place butter and sauce into the pasta. To prepare the latter, you need to take mushroom shavings, pre-salted, place them in cream, which is poured into a frying pan. Then add parmesan. The sauce is cooked until it acquires a thick consistency. Add pasta to the pan. The result is a flavorful and satisfying dish.
Ready-made black truffle pasta
What does black truffle taste like?
Truffles have a mushroom flavor with notes of roasted seeds or nuts. It has a bright rich aroma. If you keep it in water a little, the taste of soy sauce appears.
How to eat black truffle
There are many recipes for preparing dishes with the addition of this delicious mushroom. It is usually finely grated or cut into thin strips. Additionally, you can use truffle sauce to enhance the aroma of the dish.
How to serve and eat black truffle:
- since the mushroom itself is very expensive, it is rarely eaten in its pure form, more often added to various sauces, to which it gives a special taste;
- expensive dishes, for example, black caviar, are usually sprinkled with no less noble truffle shavings;
- this representative of the mushroom kingdom goes well with both different types of meat and sweet fruits;
- the mushroom can be eaten raw, baked, steamed, stewed;
- truffle in champagne is a favorite dish of many gourmets in different countries; this is the most refined version of its use;
- To give a dish a specific aroma, it is not necessary to add the mushroom itself; soaking the ingredients in a truffle is often used.
In popular restaurants in Moscow you can see unusual dishes with the addition of this mushroom. Creative chefs prepare truffle burgers, French fries, and hot dogs with its addition. In Peruvian cuisine you can find sushi with truffle, and in Georgian cuisine you can find khachapuri. This mushroom goes well with a wide variety of flavors and foods.
Benefits of black truffle
The benefits of this mushroom for the human body are as follows:
- the presence of pheromones in the composition helps to improve the emotional state;
- B vitamins help maintain a healthy nervous system;
- mushroom juice is good for people with eye diseases;
- contains many antioxidants, therefore prevents the development of diseases;
- helps relieve pain during exacerbation of gout symptoms.
Previously, it was classified as a powerful aphrodisiac; to this day it is used to enhance love experiences in men. Its benefits are universal.
Due to the content of vitamins and minerals, the mushroom has a positive effect on the child’s body during accelerated growth. BecauseThe composition contains a large amount of antioxidants, it is considered as a product that slows down aging. Some cosmetologists use it as an ingredient in anti-wrinkle masks.
There is harm from the product when there is individual intolerance to the fungus, which is extremely rare. It is not recommended to eat a mushroom dish if you have digestive problems.
False doubles
Look-alikes include false and staghorn truffles, as well as inedible tombolans. Their consumption poses a health risk. A false truffle can lead to severe intoxication with a fatal outcome, a deer truffle can lead to indigestion, and an inedible tombolan can lead to poisoning and disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.
False truffle
Reindeer truffle
Inedible tombolan
How to grow black truffle at home
It is necessary to prepare the place for cultivation, taking into account the following:
- the optimal soil pH level is 7.9, but not less than 7.5;
- comfortable temperature – 16-22 °C;
- the soil should be saturated with humus and calcium. It is desirable that there are no stones on the site;
- the top layer of soil is collected from deciduous forest;
- Nitrogen-phosphorus fertilizers are used for nutrition;
- Before planting, the soil must be mechanically tilled.
These fungi form mycorrhizae with oak trees, so they are planted with a tree sprout inoculated with mycelium. Do this before frost sets in.
Not only oak, but also hazel can become infected with mycelium.After this, the seedlings should be stored for several weeks under sterile conditions. Next, the seedlings are ready to be planted in the prepared nursery.
Successful establishment does not guarantee a good harvest. There are pests that pose a danger to truffles. If cultivation takes place in a fenced area, the risk is reduced. Rabbits, pigs and hares are very fond of this mushroom. The only way to escape from them is to fence the area well.
Even more problems are caused by weevils and black cockroaches, which are no longer so easy to get rid of. To protect against these pests, boric acid is used, which is sprayed throughout the entire area. The acid needs to be mixed with the egg, the balls should be placed on paper, changing the mixture every day. You can buy ready-made pest control products.
Stages of growing black truffle at home:
- Preparing the soil: saturating it with oxygen, clearing it of stones and foreign objects.
- Checking soil acidity before planting.
- Preparing oak sawdust where the mycelium will be located.
- Mixing mycelium with soil soaked in fertilizers.
- Spreading the prepared mixture on oak sawdust.
The first harvest will not happen very soon. Planting costs will pay off no earlier than in a few years. But if you approach this wisely, you can collect several tens of kilograms in one season.
The appearance of mushrooms can be observed by elevations above the soil. They will be located at a depth of approximately 20 centimeters.It is not so easy to notice them, because their color blends with the soil.
To avoid damage, remove the truffle with a small spatula.
To facilitate the collection process, the practice of training pigs and dogs has long been established in France. A stick soaked in truffle scent is thrown to the animals so that they find it and bring it back. Puppies are given milk with the addition of mushroom broth. This allows pets to learn the scent and easily find fruiting bodies in the soil.
Useful tips for proper cultivation:
- the soil should not have cracks, and if they appear, they should be covered with sand;
- It is contraindicated to grow trees such as poplars, willows, chestnuts on the territory, because they have a detrimental effect on the growth and condition of mushrooms;
- During collection, each truffle must be wrapped separately in paper and stored in rice. To ensure that the fruiting bodies retain moisture, it is best to keep them in the refrigerator.
Conclusion
Black truffle has been used in cooking since the 15th century. It all started in Italy, but then they began to grow it in the Moscow province. This is a delicacy worth trying. It does not cause any harm to the body and can be prepared even for children. And its cultivation, with proper preparation, can become a profitable business.
