Fresh truffle, black

We start our gourmet assortment for Deinschmecker with a "summer truffle" (Tuber aestivum)...

Truffle - what is it about the bulbous forest mushroom?

At first glance, the bulbous truffles don't look like much. But in this case, the first glance doesn't count for much: it is overshadowed by the intense first aroma that the mushrooms exude and that already announces their culinary pleasure. Nevertheless, not all truffles are the same.

Truffle.

Little truffle ABC

There are many varieties of truffles, including high and low quality, expensive and cheaper, white and black, winter and summer truffles. Around 160 species are known today. They usually grow underground in all parts of the world, forming a bond with the root of their host plant - usually trees such as oaks, beeches, lime trees or black pines.

While the host benefits from the water and mineral salts, a truffle needs the photosynthesis products of the tree to grow. "It can take five to ten years for a spore to develop into a truffle," explains Jean-Marie Dumaine, French truffle expert. In addition to the host plant, a truffle needs above all a lot of water and a calcareous soil, such as is found in wine-growing areas.

From truffle pig to truffle dog

When the mushroom is ripe, it begins to spread an intense smell. Dumaine: "He wants to be found and eaten." It is mainly found by wild boars, which, after eating it, spread the fungi through their excrement.

However, people have also appreciated truffles for their special taste since ancient times. With the help of truffle pigs they searched for the mushrooms in the past, but today mostly truffle dogs are used. The biggest truffle producers are currently France and New Zealand. In southern Germany, the delicacy can be found in the Swabian Alb, among other places, and in northern Germany in the area around Hanover.

Varieties and Prices of Edible Jewels

Since the search for truffles is complex, the mushrooms have a high price: the most expensive varieties include the white Alba truffles and the black Perigord truffles. Alba truffles currently fetch prices of between around 3,000 and 8,000 euros per kilogram, whereas the price per kilo for black Perigord truffles is 1,000 to 3,500 euros.

Burgundy truffles are particularly widespread in Europe and also considerably cheaper. One kilogram currently costs between about 800 and 1,000 euros. Other well-known varieties also include summer truffle, winter truffle and March truffle.

Enjoyment aside: Is truffle actually healthy?

The truffle is first and foremost about enjoyment. However, it is all the more pleasing to know that the luxury mushrooms can also shine with their ingredients in addition to their culinary quality . The high proportion of dietary fibre and protein is particularly noteworthy. Truffles can also score points with a lot of iron.

Storing truffles properly - this is how

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"A good truffle is a very fresh truffle," says Dumaine. If you still do not want to eat the mushrooms immediately, but store them, you should follow a few tips. Storage can have a significant influence on the taste of the noble mushroom.

A black truffle will keep for up to ten days if kept in an airtight container. A white truffle can only be kept for a few days. It is often wrapped in air-permeable paper and then stored either in a glass jar in the fridge or simply in the egg compartment or rice, for example. The advantage here: The truffle gives off its intense aroma to the eggs and rice respectively.

The truffle preparation - a culinary delight

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Truffles are often used as a spicy ingredient to enhance dishes. Because of their price alone, they are usually used very sparingly and shaved over dishes such as spaghetti, lasagne, potatoes or carpaccio. The latter is especially true for Alba and Burgundy truffles, which do not tolerate heat.

The Perigord truffle is different: it retains its aroma even when cooked, making it ideal for refining sauces, among other things. "He is an all-rounder," says Dumaine. The top chef from Normandy advises combining the noble mushroom with only a few other ingredients: "You don't have to do much, the taste speaks for itself." His recommendation: Serve the truffles with pasta and olive oil or combine them with eggs, for example in the form of an omelette.