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The Himalayan truffle is a mushroom from the Truffle genus, belonging to the Truffleaceae family. Also known as winter black truffle, but this is just a variety of it. Latin name: Tuber himalayensis.
What does a Himalayan truffle look like?
The fruit body does not exceed 2 cm in diameter, and the weight ranges from 5 to 50 g. The surface is hard and the flesh is dense.
The taste of this variety is mediocre, and the aroma is rich, but quickly disappears. Young specimens are odorless and tasteless.
The consistency is fleshy, cartilaginous. In cross-section, the fabric resembles marble, consisting of dark and light veins. These are the external and internal veins of the fruiting body.The color of the pulp is dark purple, almost black.
Where does the Himalayan truffle grow?
Prefers regions with mild climates. The Himalayan variety is named after its place of growth. This species grows in Tibet, forming a symbiosis with Himalayan pine and oak. The fruiting body is located under the soil at a depth of about 30 cm.
Is it possible to eat Himalayan truffles?
This species is classified as conditionally edible, so it is used as food after pre-processing. The small size of the fruiting body makes it difficult to find, which is why this species is not in particular demand among mushroom pickers.
False doubles
The Himalayan subspecies can be confused with the French black.
This mushroom has an irregular tuberous shape and reaches 3-9 cm in diameter. Grows underground. In young specimens the surface is reddish-brown, in older specimens it is coal-black. At the point of pressure, the color changes, becoming rusty. There are small irregularities on the surface, creating from 4 to 6 edges. The aroma is strong, the taste is pleasant, with a bitter tint.
The black French truffle is a delicacy called the “black diamond”. It is edible, used as food after pre-processing, and in its raw form can be used as an aromatic seasoning.
The main difference from the Himalayan is the large size of the fruiting body.
Himalayan truffles are often exported to European countries, passing them off as winter black truffles.
Rules for collection and use
The fruiting bodies are located underground at a distance of 20 to 50 cm. It is impossible to find them on your own. The French and Italians use specially trained animals to search.Dogs and pigs have a good sense of smell, allowing them to find various species underground.
Puppies are allowed to smell truffles, and pets are selected that react to the smell of mushrooms. Then they are fed milk with a mushroom additive. Therefore, animals that have undergone training are valued very expensively.
Pigs in the wild feed on earth mushrooms, so they are able to find them underground. These animals do not require special training.
The second method that mushroom pickers use is hunting flies. Spine flies have been observed to lay eggs in the ground where truffles grow. Fly larvae feed on mushrooms. You can find fruiting bodies by the midges swarming in the foliage.
Benefits and harm to the body
Truffle is a dietary product. There are only 24 kcal per 100 g of mushrooms. The composition includes vitamins and beneficial microelements: C, B1, B2, PP, potassium, calcium, iron, sodium, copper.
Mushrooms have a positive effect on human health:
- accelerate the restoration of damaged tissues;
- prevent the development of malignant tumors in the intestines;
- delay the skin aging process;
- have an antioxidant effect on the body;
- restore intestinal microflora.
Eating mushrooms is not recommended for women during the period of bearing and feeding a child. It is also not advisable for children under 10-12 years of age to introduce mushroom dishes into their diet.
In all other cases, Himalayan truffle can be consumed with health benefits. The only contraindication may be individual intolerance to the product.
The Himalayan truffle can be used as an additive to sauce or aromatic seasoning, it is grated and added to the main dish. The special aroma of truffles is fully revealed during contact with other products. The taste is reminiscent of roasted seeds or nuts.
Conclusion
The Himalayan truffle is a representative of the mushroom kingdom that grows underground. Due to seasonality and small size, it is not particularly popular. It is often passed off as a more expensive specimen - the black French truffle.
