Do you know what a truffle is?

About this amazing mushroom heard many. We know that this fungus is growing somewhere under the earth, and without the help of four-legged assistants (pigs or dogs) it is almost impossible to find. Arguably, this is where our knowledge ends. And yet what a truffle is? What happens? What is he so good?

A Little bit information about truffles

Truffles belong to the genus Ascomycetes, having an underground tuber-like fruit bodies. The closest relatives of truffles are mine.

Truffles are usually found in deciduous forests. The truffle mycelium (mycelium) forms with the roots of plants, under which it is growing, stable and mutually beneficial Association called mycorrhiza. There are nine types of truffle that grow in various parts of the world and each type prefers its type of wood. Truffles are sometimes called mushrooms, have similar fruit bodies, which can also be eaten, but they are valued much lower than real. There are also inedible for people, the kind of truffle-deer, which eat deer and some rodents.

By the Way, the person is not able to find the location of the truffle. The mushroom (where is this forest delicacy, can be determined only by animals) has a specific smell. Typically attract specially trained dogs and pigs.

What did they taste like truffles? How is it different from regular mushrooms? A real truffle has a unique aroma and taste. He reminds both well-roasted sunflower seeds, and walnuts, wild berries, moss, fallen leaves – that's what a truffle is. The water that you need to put in some time truffle is similar to soy sauce.

Historians believe that about what a truffle is, how to produce and consume food, was known to the ancient Sumerians. In Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome, the mushroom was attributed with therapeutic properties, and the medieval alchemists and magicians, it was used in magical purposes. But the greatest popularity they got during the reign of Louis XIV. We were also in Russia the truffles came after the Patriotic war of 1812

Types of truffles grown in Europe

In Europe there are the following types of truffles:

• Summer (also known as a black Russian) truffle. Has a bulbous or rounded fruiting body brownish-black or bluish-black. Usually grows under the roots of birch, oak, hornbeam, beech. Distributed almost throughout Europe up to Scandinavia (including in Russia). Not as valuable as other types of truffles, but also considered a delicacy.
• Winter truffle. His sheath (peridium) is covered with polygonal or thyroid formations. The mushroom has a reddish-purple or black color. Found mainly in Italy, France, and Switzerland. Smell it resembles musk.
• Italian truffle. Despite its name it is also found in France and other European countries. The fruits are painted in light ochre or brownish color. Has a pleasant spicy smell, and tastes like garlic cheese. Used, usually in raw form.
• Black (also known as Perigord the historic region in France) truffle. Mushroom, the price of which reaches 1000 € per kilogram, has a color from reddish-brown to purple-black. Can be used both in cooked and raw as a seasoning.

By the Way, the truffles can be grown, although not as, for example, mushrooms. In the XIX century it was noticed that if the ground to plant the acorns from the oak, under which grow truffles under the roots of a new tree will grow also, these mushroom delicacies. In France, where well know what a truffle is, at the time such groves were planted 750 km², with which it was possible to harvest 1000 tonnes of these delicacies. Unfortunately, this process is very lengthy. To obtain a full crop requires about 30 years, after which the quantity of collected truffles sharply.