the BLACK DIAMOND of the kitchen

What is Black perigord Truffle ?

The black Perigord truffle is the best black truffle , "Truffe Noire de Perigord" or Tuber Melanosporum, is found in various regions of Europe, whether in France in the south west, in the Perigord and Quercy areas (Dordogne, Lot) as well as in the south east of France.

In Spain we can find it in the forest of Aragon, Teruel ans Soria for example, as well as in Italy and other European countries.

The valuable tuber melanosporum vittadini finds fertile soil in the limestone zone with little organic humus, good exposure to sunlight. Less rare than the white truffle but still hard to find.

The black truffle matures mainly in Piedmont in Italy,Umbria and Marche.

The prized black truffle from Norcia or Périgord, traded all over the world, is actively cultivated in Italy, France, Spain, Greece, Australia and, for example, also in Argentine , Chile and South Africa. It is one of the most interesting subterranean mushrooms that can also be found in the woods in a natural environment during the winter season, from late autumn to midwinter, almost at the threshold of the spring season.

In France they are harvested from mid-December to mid-March, being the best in January.

Black Périgord truffles ( tuber melanosporum ) are found in wooded areas.

The black truffle de Perigord tuber melanosporum can grow on the following types of trees: Neapolitan alder, hornbeam, white cistus, red cistus, beech, common fumana, thorny oak, spania oak, holm oak, cork oak, chestnut, hazel, Byzantine hazel, hornbeam, poplar, downy oak, downy oak, oak, tughera, willow, linden, common linden, hybrid linden 

Its flavor of mushroom, hummus and forest, gives it its reputation as the black diamond of the kitchen.

The skin of the truffle is called peridium, in this case the peridium of a black Périgord truffle is black, and the pulp of the truffle is called gleba, for black Périgord truffles, the gleba is black with a fine white texture, forming a kind of marble Pattern.

Tuber melanosporum: The Black Truffle of Périgord - A Scientific Study

Introduction

Tuber melanosporum, commonly known as the Périgord black truffle, is a species of mycorrhizal ascomycete fungus that has fascinated scientists, chefs, and gastronomy enthusiasts for centuries. This scientific study will delve into the botanical, ecological, biological, and culinary aspects surrounding Tuber melanosporum, providing a detailed view of this exquisite truffle species.

Taxonomy and Description

Tuber melanosporum belongs to the kingdom Fungi and the family Tuberaceae. It is characterized by its irregular and rough external appearance, with an intense black color. Its inner flesh varies in shades from gray to black with intricate white veins.

Biology and Life Cycle

The biology of Tuber melanosporum is intricately tied to mycorrhization, a mutualistic symbiosis with the roots of certain trees such as oak and hazelnut. During this symbiotic relationship, the fungus provides essential mineral nutrients to the trees while obtaining carbohydrates from the plant. This process occurs underground, making truffles subterranean fungi that are often challenging to locate.

Ecology and Distribution

The geographical distribution of Tuber melanosporum is influenced by a combination of climatic, geological, and edaphic factors. It is primarily found in regions with mild winters and dry summers, preferring calcareous soils. Oak and hazelnut forests are common natural habitats for this truffle. The preservation of these forested habitats is essential to ensure the species' survival.

Hunting and Commerce

The harvesting of black truffles is a traditional activity in many European regions and has evolved over the years. Truffle hunting is performed with the assistance of trained dogs that can detect the distinctive aroma of ripe truffles as they approach the ground. This activity has led to the establishment of local markets and an international truffle industry that generates significant economic revenue.

Nutritional and Culinary Value

In addition to its distinctive flavor and aroma, black truffles also offer nutritional benefits. They are a source of proteins, fiber, minerals, and natural antioxidants. Besides being used in classic dishes, black truffles are incorporated into innovative culinary creations, attracting food enthusiasts from all over the world.

The scientific name of this species is Tuber melanosporum, the name of Melas from the Greek, which means black and sporum means seeds. This is due to the fact that the spores of our precious black truffle are blackish brown in color and it is a characteristic that we will later find again when carefully observing the surface of the gleba, the pulp of our truffle, has this quite strong blackish brown color.

It is a symbiotic hypogeal fungus that bears fruit on well-drained, porous, permeable, sandy or even stony limestone or clay soils, generally at depths between five and up to 30-35 cm deep and is usually preferred to bind with oaks, oaks, hornbeams, hazels, but also lime trees, poplars, holm oaks and cork oaks.

When the truffle grows in good environmental conditions, in soft soils, while sometimes, when there are cold and dry seasons or soils that may be composed of part sand and part crushed stone with alternating layers, it can also take quite strange shapes .

Observing the surface of the perihelion, it is formed by irregular, polygonal and normally flattened warts or at most not very prominent, Black truffle melanosporum warts tend to be uniformly flat.

We find on high ground between 100 and 1200 meters above sea level. It prefers rain that is evenly distributed throughout the year, that is, not too much at once, not too much, but evenly distributed. Soils with a pH between 7 and 7.5 and 8.5 are best, with a humus percentage of no more than 10%.

What is the price of the black perigord truffle or Tuber melanosporum?

The price of the Black Perigord truffle or also known as Tuber Melanosporum can vary from one year to the next, due to the fact that the production is not regular, even with truffle crops, the production is not regular from one year to the next.

What is the price the black winter truffle?

The black Perigord winter truffle is priced between €800 and €1300 per kilo. depending on the category

One of the key factors for the good development of the truffle is water, especially if there is a good amount of rain in the month of August, the Black truffle will be able to reproduce with better quality and size.

WHEN IS THE SEASON FOR BLACK TRUFFLES FROM PERIGORD TUBER MELANOSPORUM VITADINNI ?

Black winter Truffle melanospurom : from 1st December to 15th March

What aroma does the black Périgord truffle have?

The aroma of the melanosporum black truffle is of humus, mushrooms and undergrowth, imagine walking in the forest in winter in the rainy season. The time when the black melanosporum truffle is ripe is between mid-December and mid-March.

IN WHAT FORMAT WE CAN FIND THE BLACK TRUFFLES ?

If we do not have the possibility of buying fresh black truffles, we can find them preserved in different ways.

 You can find in the market :

Frozen Black truffles 

Black truffle Peelings

Minced black truffle 

Black truffle zest 

Slices black truffle

Dried black truffles

Black truffle salt.