The truffle, it is known, is not cheap yet, although it is touching record figures, its market knows no crisis .
According to data published on the website of the National Truffle Study Center, the average price (€ / hg) of the truffle is € 550 (price updated to 20 October 2017). Not bad!
Truffle varieties
The truffle is a fruiting body of fungi of the genus Tuber and is hypogeum, that is, its entire life cycle takes place underground. There are several species of truffles; in the world, in fact, the fungi classified as Tuber are 63. In Italy there are 25 but among these only 9 are considered edible and the most commonly marketed are 6:
> Tuber magnatum Pico, better known as the White Alba Truffle, Acqualagna Truffle or prized white truffle ;
> Tuber melanosporum Vitt., Better known as Norcia black truffle or prized black truffle ;
> Tuber aestivum Vitt., Known as Scorzone ;
> Tuber borchii Vitt., Known as Bianchetto or Marzuolo;
> Tuber brumale Vitt., Better known as winter truffle;
> Tuber macrosporum Vitt., Known as smooth black truffle.
Truffles, regardless of quality, are about 80% water. Contains a good amount of minerals, especially potassium.
The content in terms of nutrients of the truffle varieties listed above is very similar; what changes is the pleasure they produce for the palate and it is this aspect that determines the greater value of one variety than another.
How to buy truffles
Buying a truffle requires some attention, also because scams are not rare. At the time of purchase it is advisable to dwell not only on the appearance of the fungus, which must be intact, but also on the perfume ; it would then be necessary to feel it by touch .
The fresh truffle is compact and turgid, slightly elastic; a truffle that is soft to the touch is not usually a good mushroom, the same goes for an excessively hard truffle. It is fundamental, then, to know how to recognize the perfume; for example, the prized white truffle, when really good, has a delicate and balanced hint of garlic, hay and honey ; if you only notice a strong smell of ammonia it is absolutely not to be bought.
In summary, buying a good truffle is not easy and you need to know the product. Some attention is also required at the restaurant; considering that grating, equal to about 10 grams of truffle, costs at least 30/40 € per dish, it is advisable to ask the restaurateur to show the mushroom and have it grated by the staff, but at the table.
Collection periods
The collection period varies according to the species. The prized white truffle is harvested from 21 September to 31 January . In general, however, the truffle is a mostly autumn product that, in the case of some varieties, can also be found throughout the winter.
The summer truffle or scorzone is an exception; it is harvested at the beginning of autumn but also from June 1st to August 31st .
Source: www.tuber.it
