The black truffle, also known as the prized “black diamond of the forest” or “the diamond of the kitchen”, is one of the most coveted gastronomic ingredients by the most renowned and reputed chefs around the world. It is a mushroom that grows mainly in Mediterranean climate areas at an altitude of approximately 700 to 1300 meters and can offer different flavour nuances depending on its origin.
Many people know the main characteristics of this product and its flavour, but the truth is that there are many curiosities about this prized food that you may not be aware of. Among these curiosities, we can talk about topics as varied as how the truffle is grown and how to cultivate it so that it develops its aroma correctly. For this reason, in this article we are going to show you, below, 10 curiosities about this coveted fungus and luxury product for gourmet haute cuisine dishes.
Curiosities about the black truffle
There are many curiosities that we can name about the black truffle, as it is a food that could be talked about for hours about its characteristics and the curiosities that surround it for different reasons. However, in this article we have made a selection of the 10 most interesting curiosities that we believe are most relevant and that, therefore, you should know.
Truffles have been eaten since ancient times
There are many documents from the great civilisations of antiquity that confirm that the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans already collected and consumed the black truffle. In fact, even back then it was a well-known food thanks to the flavour it provided to food, but also for its nutritional, medicinal and aphrodisiac values.
The size and appearance of the black truffle varies throughout the year
The best season to harvest the black truffle is, specifically, in winter, between the months of November and March, and even April. Throughout these months, truffles of different size and appearance can be found, so it is a fungus that varies and develops in different ways depending on the month in which it is harvested.
At present, they are not found in the wild in Spain
When talking about the melanosporum truffle, we find curiosities such as, for example, that the current production, in our country, is not harvested from the mountains, but must be cultivated. This is due to the fact that the mountains that used to produce them decades ago have stopped producing them nowadays. Nevertheless, the cultivated black truffle is of exactly the same quality in all respects as those found in the wild a long time ago.
There are places where it is more suitable for cultivation
It is often said that this fungus can be found in the forests of southern Italy and France. However, it is in Spain where the best production of the black truffle is currently found, due to the fact that it meets the necessary conditions for its correct development.
Within our country, it is also considered that the best area for the cultivation and production of this gastronomic delicacy is in the area of Teruel, specifically in the Gúdar-Javalambre region. In fact, for this reason, the town of Sarrión is considered to be the capital of the black truffle. This is because the black truffle is very sensitive to climatic changes and needs optimal conditions in terms of humidity and temperature to develop properly.
Black truffles grow in symbiosis with various tree species
The black truffle “Tuber melanosporum” has some curious features, such as, for example, that it grows in symbiosis with the roots of certain tree species. Among them, we can name the holm oak, the oak, the hazel or the pine, among many others. In other words, with tree species that grow in calcareous soils and in temperate climates.
Black truffles are harvested in a special way
Black truffles give off volatile compounds and spores that are released when they ripen. This is what causes the characteristic smell that attracts many species of animals, which is why, in order to collect them, it is necessary to have a trained animal to find them.
For this reason, traditionally, they were found with the help of certain species of pigs trained to find them thanks to their scent. Nowadays, however, pigs are no longer used, but dogs trained for the same purpose. The black truffle grows several centimeters under the ground, so it is necessary to dig deep in order to collect them.
The black truffle is the most special and coveted of all truffles
All truffles are highly regarded and valued for their nutritional and culinary properties. There are up to 70 species of this type of fungi worldwide and more than 30 of them are found in Europe alone. However, none of them is as coveted as the black truffle, as it can fetch quite high prices on the market and is used as a luxury product for gourmet haute cuisine dishes.
It should be consumed fresh and as quickly as possible
The black truffle must be included in dishes with total delicacy, as great care must be taken not to alter its flavour, aroma and texture. In fact, it is recommended not to use foods with very strong flavours, otherwise the flavour of the truffle can easily be masked and overshadowed. For this reason, we do not recommend cooking it with other foods such as, for example, garlic or vinegar.
It is usually served carefully cut in very thin slices and it is very difficult to preserve it, as it loses its properties very quickly. Moreover, as soon as it is sliced, it undergoes a rapid oxidation process that causes it to deteriorate if it is not consumed immediately. For this reason, it is a food that is very difficult to integrate into certain dishes, which is why dishes that include it as a main ingredient are considered gourmet and its price is so high.
Truffles are quite light
The average weight of a black truffle is quite low, ranging from 20 grams for smaller truffles to 200 grams -or more- for larger truffles. They are usually rather small, which is why they are considered a rare and select ingredient.
The price of the black truffle is very high
This is no secret to anyone, as it is well known that the price of the black truffle is quite high. However, what is not so well known are the reasons why this price is so high. This is because the black truffle is a very scarce commodity, because it is difficult to cultivate and because it is in great demand in the field of haute cuisine for the preparation of luxury
