Truffles are a type of fungi whose distinctive aroma and earthy flavor have made a common dish for centuries; they are also known as the “diamonds of the kitchen.” Let us dig deep into the realities of this plant that arouses people’s taste buds as we look at its origin, growth conditions, types, and nutritional significance. 

What are truffles

Truffles are mushroom-like balls growing underground in forested areas. They differ from the common mushrooms in that they are entirely underground and acquired by digging. Since they grow under the earth’s surface, truffles can be dug out by humans or animals such as dogs, pigs, rats, moles, and rabbits. Their growth inside the crust also gives them a unique earthy smell and taste that attracts both humanity and animals. 

Where do truffles grow

As mentioned earlier, truffles grow underground in forests. They form a symbiotic relationship with trees such as oak and beech, benefiting from their root nutrients. This unique adaptation contributes to their unavailability in most parts, making them relatively expensive. They are grown in countries such as: 

  • New Zealand
  • Australia
  • North America’s Pacific Northwest
  • New York
  • Italy
  • France 

Because of their palatability and value, most people in the United States are devising mechanisms for incorporating this rare plant into their agricultural systems. In Africa, they can be traced in limited quantities in Cape Town and around Clarens, South Africa. 

Taste and smell of truffles

The smell and taste of truffles slightly differ from that of the popular above-ground mushrooms. They have a musky flavor with an earthy aroma and savor of oaks. Their color is popularly black, closely resembling black olives. 

Types of truffle species

Taxonomists classify truffles as fungi under the Tuber genus. They are classified according to color and growth seasons as follows:

Black Perigord truffle

This type of truffle is a product of fungus and trees majorly growing in France and has the most profound fragrance.

Burgundy truffle

Also known as tuber aestivum, a burgundy truffle is fleshy and has garlic shades.

Bianchetto truffle

Bianchetto truffles are white, petite, and less smelly than other types.

Oregon white truffle

This is the rarest and most expensive type of truffle, and it is served with dishes such as pizza, pasta, soups, and root vegetables.

Summer truffle

As its name suggests, summer truffle grows during summer between April and August in Eastern and Southern Europe.

Winter truffle

Winter truffles grow during winter and are spherically shaped by being squeezed by stones beneath the ground. They are also grown during spring in Italy, where it is used as an ingredient in most restaurant dishes.

The most important thing to note is the areas where they thrive and their colour. Additionally, the types can also be said to be different species because of their taxonomic classification. 

How to grow truffles

Because of their value and rareness, growing truffles can indicate prestige, fanciness, and richness. Because of this, many people love to grow them domestically within their compounds in various ways. 

We shall discuss how to grow them indoors and how to grow various types, such as black, white, and magic truffles. 

How to grow truffles indoors

Like other fungi, truffles do well in moist, well-drained soils. As much as they create a symbiotic relationship with plant roots, they can adapt to different places, such as indoor gardens. 

More care and commitment are needed to grow them behind closed doors because they are not naturally used to that. Therefore, it is necessary to grow them inside a kit and use a watering can to improve the soil’s moisture and drainage.

 Using a truffle kit

  1. After purchasing the kit, inject the truffle spores into a substrate using a syringe. 
  2. Let the jar remain in the dark at a temperature of around 230 C for 2-4 weeks to allow spore colonization. 
  3. Set up the kit, then water the spores to improve moisturization as you rinse the substrate, as stated in the kit instructions. 
  4. After moistening the soil, the kit should be left in a dark and safe place to avoid contamination. 

How to grow magic truffles

Follow this procedure:  

  1. Magic truffles are also grown using the truffle kits as substrates. Most farmers prefer grass seeds or rye (A cereal plant growing in low temperatures). 
  2. After sterilizing the substrate, cook the filter bag in a pressure cooker to sterilize it further. 
  3. Allow it to cool for 20 minutes, then clean it by shaking it to spread the spores all over the substrate. 
  4. Leave the magic truffles to colonize and keep them in a safe, dark place for about 2-4 weeks. They grow to maturity in 3-4 months. 

How to grow black and white truffles

Growing black truffles and white truffles follows a relatively similar procedure as follows:

  1. First, they need large tracts of land to plant several trees whose nutrients will foster truffle growth. 
  2. After finding the location, the next step is to prepare the soil to a required pH of 7.5 to 8.4. To maintain the pH, add lime annually to the soil.
  3. Next, the farmer must devise an irrigation system to water the trees.
  4. After planting, animals such as dogs can be trained and used to smell out the truffle when mature. 
  5. The trained dog can also help identify other maturity signs and even lead in the harvesting process. 

Nutritional value of truffles 

Truffles have the following nutritional benefits: 

  • Truffles are rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C that kill or reduce the activity of cancer cells and prevent body inflammation.
  • Reducing inflammation also eradicates chronic diseases and infections.
  • Since truffles do not contain cholesterol, they reduce the risk of acquiring cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.
  • Their low-fat levels help prevent diseases such as obesity and ensure proper blood circulation. 

Conclusion

Overall, truffles are invaluable. They are tasty and possess a captivating aroma; we cannot understate their nutritional value. All these benefits make the plant expensive, and most people find it a ready investment. 

As seen from the growth procedure, truffles are difficult to maintain and require skilled labor; they also grow in unique conditions such as low temperatures and dark places. However, average farmers can adopt the natural way of planting trees to cut costs. Generally, it is a dish that any food-lover should explore because it captivates the taste buds and enriches the body with invaluable health.