What Is Truffle
-
A truffle is the fruiting body of a subterranean ascomycete fungus, predominantly one of the many species of the genus Tuber.
-
The black truffle or black Périgord truffle (Tuber melanosporum), the second-most commercially valuable species, is named after the Périgord region in France. Black truffles associate with oaks, hazelnut, cherry, and other deciduous trees and are harvested in late autumn and winter.
What Do Truffles Look Like
-
Truffles look like lumpy potatoes. They are typically 30-60 grams in size. Truffles have a singular taste that can be described as earthy—similar to mushrooms or autumn leaves. They have a musky, pungent aroma and can range in color, from sandy white to dark brown, depending on the type of truffle and its host tree.
How Are Truffles Grown
-
Truffles are ectomycorrhizal fungi, so are usually found in close association with tree roots. Spore dispersal is accomplished through fungivores, animals that eat fungi. These fungi have significant ecological roles in nutrient cycling and drought tolerance.
-
Some of the truffle species are highly prized as food. French gastronome Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin called truffles "the diamond of the kitchen". Edible truffles are used in Italian, French and numerous other national haute cuisines.
-
Truffles are cultivated and harvested from natural environments.
How Is A Truffle Harvested
-
Because truffles are subterranean, they are often located with the help of an animal possessing a refined sense of smell.
-
In Australia, they use dog to find the truffle.Dogs pose an advantage in that they do not have a strong desire to eat truffles, so can be trained to locate sporocarps without digging them up.
Benefits Of Truffles
-
Slow down the ageing process; Control blood sugar; Protect the liver from damage; May help kill cancer cells; May help reduce inflammation throughout your body