Black truffle

All about the black truffle

About 30 species of truffles are known in Europe, but only a few of them are gastronomically appreciated. The most sought after are: Tuber melanosporum (black truffle), Tuber magnatum Pico (Italian white truffle or Piamonte’s), Tuber aestivum (summer truffle), Tuber Brumale (winter truffle or magenca), Tuber uncinatum (Burgundy truffle).

Tuber melanosporum: Known in France as «Truffe de Périgord» and in Italy as «Tartufo nero pregiato», it is the most appreciated in Italy, Spain and France.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TUBER MELANOSPORUM (BLACK TRUFFLE)

It is a fungus which is found under the ground (hypogeous), and it has a blackish or greyish aspect with purple tones. It has an irregular shape; the skin is very thin and it is covered by warts. It measures 3 to 12 cm in diameter and it weighs between 20 and 200 grams, although, exceptionally, it can exceed 600 grams.

Its body is fleshy and compact, at first it is grey-violet and, at maturity, brownish- blackish crossed with sterile, whitish venations, which turn pinkish when in contact with the air.

It has an intense and pungent odour, and a pleasant, though slightly bitter taste. Its natural habitat are the forests of Southern France, Italy and Spain. It lives underground, in symbiosis with the roots of holm oaks, oaks and hazelnut trees mainly, although it may also grow around the roots of some pines.

HOW MUCH DOES A KILO OF BLACK TRUFFLE COST?

This is a question that many people ask themselves, but there is no exact answer. The price of the truffle varies depending on many factors such as: the time of the year in which we are, the production of the harvesting year (depending on the weather there may be more or less truffles), the volume purchased (the less quantity, the more expensive the kilogram).

The price range may vary from 700 euros per kilogram in a year with good production and buying large quantities, to 2000 euros per kilogram if the truffle is bought in small quantities, such as 25 grams.
In Segortrufa, we have very competitive prices in both retail and wholesale sales. Visit our shop to buy cheap black truffle. If you are interested in buying large quantities of truffle for your business or to sell, you just have to contact us and we will offer you the truffle at the best price.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF TRUFFLES?

The truffle, like most mushrooms, is a food which has many properties and health benefits. Among them, the large amount of B vitamins, especially riboflavin (B2) and niacin (B3). Some of the benefits they provide include anti-ageing and protective effect against cellular oxidation.
They are considered as the natural botox thanks to its high content of antioxidants.
They also provide essential minerals for health, such as iron, calcium, selenium, magnesium and phosphorus, as well as vitamin C. They help lower blood glucose levels, bad cholesterol levels in the body and they improve the appearance of nails, hair and skin.

TRUFFLE PICKING

It reproduces in spring, appearing as small balls, which then swell and mature in summer and autumn. The truffle gives off allelopathic substances that prevent the growth of grass around it, and this is sometimes a clue to find them. It is harvested in winter; the best date is in January (Europe), although the harvesting period begins in December and lasts until March. Trained dogs are usually used to locate truffles, although on some occasions pigs have even been used. Some experts are able to detect them thanks to the presence of the «truffle fly».

If you have been wanting to try this delicacy, you can find it in our online shop by clicking here.