Truffle mushroom. Useful properties, application, calorie content of truffle mushroom

Many mushroom lovers are interested in where truffles grow in Russia and Ukraine, and whether it is possible to find these unusual mushrooms in temperate climates. In today's article we will tell you what types of truffles are found in the CIS countries.

You will also learn by what signs a truffle can be identified, and what animals are used to search for these delicious mushrooms.

Truffle has gained fame all over the world as a real culinary and mushroom delicacy. It grows in soil at a depth of 10-30 cm and is not so easy to find.

On the territory of Russia and Ukraine, only one species grows - summer (Figure 1). The ripening time of fruiting bodies begins in late summer or early autumn. Summer varieties can be found in clearings or edges of oak forests, but very rarely they are found in copses or forests where there are aspen and birch. The soil in which these rare mushrooms grow becomes gray-ashy, the grass begins to wither and may die.

Note: Outwardly he does not look like common mushroom, because it does not have legs or caps. It has the shape of a brown or yellow tuber, and the flesh can be white or grayish, but in black varieties the flesh takes on a slight purple tint. The aroma is strong and does not lose its quality during long-term storage.

Picture 1. External features summer look, which can be found in Russia

Another world-famous species of this mushroom grows in Russia, called Russian white. The weight of the fruiting body can reach up to 500 grams, and the taste resembles meat.

Habitat areas

On the territory of Russia, representatives of this type of mushroom can be found in the Tula, Oryol, and Vladimir regions, and some specimens can be found near Moscow and Smolensk. It was also found and mined in Bessarabia and the Novorossiysk region, Transcaucasia and Crimea, as well as near St. Petersburg.

Note: In the past, production in the Moscow region was put on an industrial scale and the volume of production amounted to up to a thousand pounds per season.

The fungus comes to the surface of the soil extremely rarely and its location can be determined by the tubercles on the surface. Midges and other insects are often found on such tubercles. The soil can be fairly dug up, since forest dwellers are very fond of this culinary product. In European countries, it is customary to use specially trained pigs or dogs in searches. The use of this search method has been a long-standing effective practice, since animals can easily detect crops under a layer of soil at a depth of 30 cm.

If you want to go searching on your own, you should know where this mushroom grows in Russia. It is primarily found in the Caucasus and the Black Sea coast.

Success in the search will be on the side of seekers who go to mixed forests, since the mushroom grows under the root system of trees (hornbeam, beech, oak). This culinary delicacy can also be found in deciduous forests, but not in conifers, since this is not its habitat and the search results will be unsuccessful. The black Russian species can be found in the forests in the summer, and the winter variety in the winter. The best time to search for mushrooms is from November to March.

In the vastness of Russia you can find white (golden) varieties, which are a rare and very valuable species. Golden species can be found in the Oryol, Vladimir, Nizhny Novgorod, Samara and Smolensk regions. They are also found in the forests of the Leningrad and Moscow regions.

Where does black truffle grow in Russia?

Black truffle can very often be found in the coastal sea part of Russia and in the southern regions.

The most common detection areas are:

• Podolsk region
• Steppe part of Crimea
• Tula region
• Coastal zone of the Caucasus
• Oryol Region
• Belgorod region
• Pskov region
• Moscow region

Cases of mining were also recorded in the Leningrad and Tver regions. The most famous culinary delicacy tastes sweet and resembles nuts.

The black species grows in broad-leaved deciduous forests (oak, pine, etc.). The mushroom prefers mixed forests, having coniferous and broad-leaved stripes, as well as on calcareous soils.

They can be found in the soil at a depth of 5 to 30 cm. However, older specimens of this mushroom usually grow on the surface and should not be collected. Very often it can be confused with a stump or with a bump on the ground surface, which is associated with big amount warts and scabs on the cap and stem of the mushroom. The mushroom cap is dense and can look like tree bark. It is customary to harvest in March-April, when the cold is not so severe, the sun is shining and the soil is moist.

Where does the white truffle grow in Russia?

Compared to black varieties, white varieties can be found extremely rarely, and the most common areas where these culinary rarities appear are:

• Moscow region
• Tula region
• Vladimir region
• Smolensk region
• Volga region

The white variety tastes a little like undercooked potatoes and is a Category 4 edible mushroom.

On Russian territory white variety very difficult to find. Mushrooms are usually found in the soil at a depth of 10-20 cm. The cap and stem are dense and white.

Harvesting this rare mushroom falls in the month of April. Specially trained animals (pigs, dogs) are usually used as search engines. For example, a pig can find up to several buckets of this culinary delicacy in a few days of searching.

Where does truffle mushroom grow in Ukraine?

Only the summer variety grows on the territory of Ukraine and Russia, and in Russia there are much more areas of its growth than in Ukraine.

Summer species can be found in clearings or edges of oak forests. It is extremely rare to find them in copses, birch groves or aspen forests. In cross section they can resemble marble. The aroma qualities are very strong, which is appreciated among culinary gourmets. However, the aroma may be lost during prolonged storage.

Habitat areas

If you are interested in where the mushroom grows in Ukraine, we hasten to disappoint you: there are very few places where it grows.

The winter variety grows in the Right Bank and Western parts of Ukraine. But much more often it can be found in the mountainous part of Crimea, as well as in Switzerland, France and Italy. The harvest begins in November and lasts until March. The size of the fruiting bodies can reach 20 cm, and the weight reaches 1.5 kg. The surface of the mushroom is warty and the fruiting body itself has a musky smell, but it is not very pronounced.

The black summer variety can also be found in deciduous forests and on calcareous soil. The size of its fruiting body can reach 10 cm, but it is not easy to detect, since it is located under the surface of the soil at a depth of 10-15 cm.

Where does the white truffle grow in Ukraine?

White is one of the most common types of these mushrooms. The fruiting bodies are formed into flattened or rounded tubers, which have yellow or brown fibers on their surface. The surface of the mushroom becomes felt-like as it matures.

The color of the fruiting body is uniformly white (mealy), like potatoes, but becomes marbled as it ripens. In a cross-section, one can observe marble veins, which are surrounded by colorless rims, which, as the body matures, acquire a yellowish-brown color.

It grows on clay and sandy soil, in pine and deciduous forests. However, the largest specimens of this fungus grow in hazel trees. The collection usually begins at the end of August and until November. Found mainly in the area Western Ukraine.

If you already know where truffles grow in Russia, some knowledge on finding them will not hurt. All existing species They grow underground in forests, and they form a close connection with the root system of trees (Figure 2).

Note: Today, the most valuable is the French or winter one, which grows in oak groves northern Italy or Southern France, and can also be found in beech groves. Trinity (white Polish) is considered less valuable, and it grows in the forests of Ukraine and Belarus, but they were found in the Moscow region. In southwestern Asia and North Africa steppe species grow, but their value is low and they are not edible.

Figure 2. Features of searching for crops in the forest

Finding truffles is not an easy task and this is due to the fact that they all grow underground. Very rarely, a mushroom can be above the soil surface and finding such a find is considered great luck. The most valuable specimens are located at a depth of 10-20 cm and it is impossible for a person to find them on their own, so specially trained animals are brought in to search for mushrooms.

Search Features

To find the location of mushrooms varying degrees values ​​use pigs or specially trained dogs. In harvest areas, swarms of red fly may be present and there will be a lack of vegetation.

If the mushroom is very close to the surface, there will be a clear bump on the soil.

How to find a truffle in the forest: video

Since truffles are considered very rare, we recommend watching a video, the author of which will tell you how to find this mushroom in the forest.

What animals are used to find truffles?

Pigs or dogs can help in the search (Figure 3). Pigs, or rather boars, are able to smell a culinary delicacy at a distance of ten meters. The smell of a truffle for a boar is very similar to the aroma of a female, which still has no explanation. When a pig detects prey, it can immediately eat it, and to prevent such events, it is customary to put muzzles on them.

Figure 3. Using animals to search

Among dogs, the female is the best at detecting scent. After establishing the location of the prey, the dog indicates the exact location to the owner and does not try to take the find. However, this type of mushroom hunting requires extensive training of the dog. Dog training begins from childhood; puppies are given milk to drink with a mixture of truffle decoction, after which they are forced to look for boards rubbed with mushrooms in the yard. After several months (years) of training, dogs can find mushrooms. Such dogs are very expensive, about 10 thousand dollars.

How to collect truffles: video

The process of collecting truffles is shown in the video, so you can see how this process occurs and what features it is associated with.

The most expensive mushroom, “black diamond” - that’s what they say about truffles. You don’t hear this about every mushroom. Often, apart from the fact that they are very expensive, we know nothing about these mushrooms. So what’s special, besides the cost, about such, at first glance, inconspicuous lumps? Let's find out about this from the article.

What does a truffle look like?

Truffles belong to the category of marsupial mushrooms. All this is due to the fact that their spores are located in the body of the mushroom itself.

The delicacy grows underground. For normal growth it needs to enter into symbiosis with the tree. The mycelium, as it were, envelops the root system of the tree, so it better absorbs nutrients from the soil.

The truffle does not have a pronounced stem or cap, its body is tuberous. Visually, it is somewhat similar to potatoes. In size, these delicacies range from very tiny (the size of a nut) to larger ones (the size of an orange). Weight ranges from a few grams to a kilogram (but such giants are extremely rare).

The skin, depending on the type, can be almost black or light (white truffles). The pulp also varies in color depending on the type, but in all mushrooms, when cut, it resembles a marble pattern. Use this product can be raw.

Varieties of truffles

There are more than a hundred varieties of this mushroom, but we will look at the most common ones.

Black summer

Black summer, also known as black Russian, grows in deciduous or mixed forests under the roots of oak, beech or birch. Prefers soil with lime. Distributed in Central Europe, found on sea ​​coast Caucasus. The season for this mushroom is summer and early autumn.
The fruiting body of the summer black is tuberous or round, bluish or brown (closer to black) with black warts. The diameter reaches 10 cm.

The pulp of a young mushroom is quite dense; the older it is, the softer it is. The color of the flesh also changes with age from light to brownish. It tastes sweetish with a nutty tint. The smell is similar to the aroma of seaweed. Summer black is valued less than its relatives, although it is a delicacy.

Black winter

Winter truffles can be harvested from late autumn to March. It grows in Italy, Switzerland, Western Ukraine and in the mountainous regions of Crimea.

The mushroom has a spherical shape up to 20 cm in diameter. The weight of an adult specimen can reach a kilogram or even more.
The outside is covered with numerous warts. The pulp with yellowish veins resembles a marble pattern. It is initially light, but over time it turns gray or even takes on a purple tint.

Has a strong musky odor. It is not valued as much as other “black” relatives.

Black Perigord (French)

The Périgord truffle gets its name from the historical region of Périgord in France. But it is also found in Italy (Umbria), Spain and Croatia. The collection season is from November to March.

The fruit body is tuberous in shape, up to 9 cm in diameter. The color of a young specimen is reddish-brown, while that of an old specimen is black. The color of the pulp is gray or pinkish over time, with the appearance of spores it becomes dark brown or black, but the light veins remain.
The aftertaste is bitter, and the smell reminds some of chocolate, and for others - expensive alcohol.

This mushroom gets its name from the area where it grows. The Himalayan truffle is a type of black winter truffle. The fruiting period is from mid-November to February.

The mushroom itself is quite small, only up to 5 cm in diameter. Its weight is no more than 50 g.
The peel is dark with small growths. The flesh is elastic, dark purple, almost black. Aroma with pronounced forest notes.

White Piedmontese (Italian)

It is most common in the Italian region of Piedmont and in the regions of France that border it. Most often it grows in deciduous forests under oak, willow, poplar, and occasionally under linden. The collection period is from the second ten days of September to the end of January.

The tubers are up to 12 cm in diameter. Weight is up to 300 g, but occasionally there are specimens weighing up to 1 kg. The surface is velvety, light orange or brown.
The pulp is elastic, can be white or yellow-gray. The veins that form the marble pattern are light or creamy brown.

The aroma of white truffle combines the smell of cheese and garlic.

Did you know? The French account for 50% of all truffles eaten in the world.

White Oregon (American)

This type of truffle can be found in the northwestern United States. It grows shallow in the soil near coniferous trees. It is collected from October to January.

The fruit body is up to 7 cm in diameter. Weight can reach 250 g. The peel is light brown, the flesh is golden brown with light veins.
The aroma of this forest delicacy has herbal and floral notes.

Red

This mushroom grows throughout Europe and in western Russia (up to the Urals). Prefers soil near coniferous trees or oak. Fruits from late spring to August.

The diameter of the tuber is up to 4 cm. The weight rarely exceeds 80 g.

The color of the mushroom is red-brown. The pulp is quite dense, dirty pink or beige in color.
The aroma contains notes of grass, wine and coconut.

Red brilliant is the “brother” of red truffle. It is found in the forests of Europe and Russia, most often under oak.

The underground inhabitants themselves are very small - they do not exceed 4 cm in diameter. Weight - about 45 g.

The skin is beige or brown. The flesh is grayish or brown with white streaks.
The smell of this specimen has wine-pear notes with a light coconut scent.

Important! Reindeer truffle- the only inedible of all representatives of the genus.

Autumn (Burgundy)

This species, like many others, got its name from its place of growth (Burgundy). Its ripening period is from June to October.

The mushroom has a round shape, not exceeding 8 cm in diameter. Weight reaches 300 g.
As a type of black mushroom, Autumn Burgundy has a dark, almost black skin. The pulp is light brown with light veins.

Autumn truffle has the smell of hazelnut and chocolate, for which it is valued by gourmets.

Chinese (Asian)

This type of truffle grows in southwest China. Prefers cohabitation with oak, chestnut and pine. Its growth period is from December to February.

The diameter of the tuber is up to 10 cm. Weight can reach up to 500 g. The peel is dark and dense. The flesh is elastic, dark color with gray veins.
The aroma is pronounced only in mature mushrooms. There are cases when truffles are artificially flavored in order to pass them off as Périgord.

Where and how does it grow

Truffles are earth dwellers. They grow underground at the roots of trees. Each species prefers a certain area and trees.

The geography of growth of these mushrooms is quite diverse. They can be found throughout Europe, in warm corners of Russia, northern Africa and western North America.

Most prefer broad-leaved trees - oak, birch, beech, poplar, elm, linden. Some grow under cedar or pine trees.

The underground dweller loves a warm, mild climate, so in our latitudes it can be found in the forests of Western Ukraine, in Crimea, in Russian forests to the Urals and the Caucasus, as well as in Belovezhskaya Pushcha and the Gomel region of Belarus.

How to search

The delicacy grows underground and is quite difficult to find. But there are some signs that a truffle is hiding underground:

• the vegetation above the mushroom is sparse;
• the earth takes on a gray tint;
• red flies use the fruiting body to feed the larvae, so they swarm around “appetizing” places.

Since the truffle has a pronounced aroma, animals can easily smell it. This feature is used to search for it, attracting pigs or dogs. A pig can smell the aroma of a treat from 20 meters away. Dogs do not eat this mushroom, but to search for it, they are first trained to smell it.

Important! In Europe, a license is required to “hunt” truffles..

Chemical composition

Truffle is a dietary product - per 100 g there are only 24 kcal (3 g - proteins, 0.5 g - fats, 2 g - carbohydrates).

These delicacy products contain vitamins C (6 mg), B1 (0.02 mg), B2 (0.4 mg), PP (9.49 mg). You can also find the following elements in it:

• potassium;
• calcium;
• iron;
• sodium;
• copper.

Benefits and harms

The vitamins and minerals contained in these mushrooms have a positive effect on human health:

• have an antioxidant effect;
• help speed up recovery skin for cuts or illnesses;
• hinder development malignant tumors in the large intestine;
• help maintain skin tone, reduce the appearance of wrinkles;
• have a beneficial effect on the microflora in the intestines.

These mushrooms cannot cause any harm to the human body, and the only contraindication to their use is individual intolerance to this product. Women during pregnancy and lactation, as well as preschool children should refrain from eating truffles.

How to use it in cooking

These mushrooms differ from other relatives in their special taste and aroma. The smell of these mushrooms may have nutty or herbal notes.

Truffle is used as an additive to sauces or as an aromatic spice, but most often this product is served raw, grated and added to the main dish. It is by coming into contact with other products that the aroma of truffles is revealed in full.
The taste of this mushroom is similar to roasted nuts or seeds. It is inseparable from the aroma; gourmets sometimes say that they “eat the smell.”

Why are truffles so expensive?

The high cost of truffles is due to the fact that very few of them are “harvested”. This mushroom does not grow in every forest or even in every region. In addition, it is not so easy to find, because it does not come to the surface. And what completes its uniqueness is that it is a seasonal product.

Add to this a pleasant taste and a breathtaking aroma - and we get a rare, expensive delicacy.

Did you know? The largest white truffle that was picked weighed 1 kg 890 g.

By the way, the cost of white truffle can reach 4 thousand euros/kg. The larger it is, the more expensive it is. The black relative will cost from 1500 to 2500 dollars per kilogram.

There is an opinion that once you try this strange mushroom, its taste and aroma remain in your memory forever. In addition to taste, this product is also very beneficial for the body. Gourmets advise: if you have the opportunity to taste this delicacy, do not miss it.

Truffle is a mushroom that grows underground at a depth of 20 cm. It is not only the most expensive mushroom in the whole world, but also a delicacy that is difficult to get. The shape of the truffle resembles a potato tuber; its flesh is reddish, turning black towards maturity. There are about a hundred species of these mushrooms, but the Perigord or black, Italian and winter truffles received the highest rating and recognition from gourmets, thanks to their unique “truffle” aroma.

Truffles belong to the truffle genus of the truffle family (Tuberaceae). This edible mushrooms, some of which are valuable delicacies.

The fruiting body of the truffle is located underground, it has a round or tuberous shape and a fleshy or gristly consistency. The size is variable, from the size of a hazelnut to a potato tuber. On top of the fruiting body there is a leathery layer, smooth, cracking or covered with warts. When cut, the tissue of the fruiting body has a marble pattern, in which light and dark veins alternate.

Truffles grow in deciduous forests, under trees specific to each species. For example, black truffle and summer truffle grow under oaks, beeches, hornbeams, and hazels; Piedmontese truffles are found next to birches, poplars, elms, lindens, rowan trees, and hawthorns.

Truffles are harvested in the fall or in early spring. For this purpose, specially trained dogs or pigs are often used.

Real truffles are edible mushrooms. The most valuable species– these are Perigord, Piedmont and winter truffles. Their pulp has a mushroom flavor with a hint of roasted seeds or walnuts and a strong characteristic aroma. After soaking in water, the truffle acquires flavor soy sauce. Truffles are often added raw to dishes at the very end of cooking in order to preserve the aroma of these mushrooms.

Types of truffle mushroom

The fruiting body is underground, tuberous or round, 2.5-10 cm in diameter. The surface is brown-black or bluish-black, covered with black warts. The pulp of the young mushroom is dense, becomes loose over time, the color changes from whitish to brown-yellow and gray-brown, light veins form a marble pattern. The taste is nutty, sweetish, the aroma is pleasant and strong.

It is found in mixed and deciduous forests, on calcareous soils, under oaks, beeches, hornbeams, birches, in Central Europe, in Russia. The fruiting season begins in summer and continues until early autumn.

The fruiting body is irregularly spherical to almost round in shape, 8-15 cm in diameter. The weight of an adult mushroom is 1-1.5 kg. The surface is covered with warts, 2-3 mm in size. The color of a young mushroom is reddish-violet, turning black with age. Pulp first white, then becomes gray or gray-violet with white and yellowish-brown marble veins. It has a strong and pleasant smell, reminiscent of musk.

Grows in France, Italy, Switzerland, Ukraine. Ripens from November to February-March.

The fruiting body is underground, has the shape of irregular tubers measuring 2-12 cm and weighing 30-300 g. The surface is uneven, velvety, light ocher or brownish, the skin is not separated from the pulp. The pulp is dense, whitish or yellow-gray, sometimes reddish, with a white and creamy-brown marbled pattern. The taste is pleasant, the smell is spicy, similar to cheese with garlic.

Mycorrhiza-forming with oak, willow and poplar, linden. It is found in deciduous forests in northwestern Italy (Piedmont) and France. The white Piedmontese truffle harvest lasts from September 21 to January 31.

The fruiting body is underground, tuberous, round or irregular shape, 3-9 cm in diameter. The surface is reddish-brown, in old mushrooms it is coal-black, and becomes rusty when pressed. The pulp is hard, light, gray or pinkish-brown in color with a white or reddish marble pattern; in older mushrooms it is dark. It has a strong characteristic aroma and a pleasant taste with a slight bitterness.

Grows in deciduous forests, on calcareous soil, most often under oaks. Distributed in France, Italy and Spain. The season lasts from November to March.

Poisonous and inedible types of truffle mushroom

A mushroom inedible for humans.

The fruit body is round in shape, 1-4 cm in size, yellow-brown in color. The smell is pungent, earthy, similar to the smell of potatoes. The surface is finely tuberculate.

Found in Europe and North America, in Chile, China, Japan and Taiwan. Grows under coniferous trees, as well as under chestnuts, beeches and oaks, at all times of the year, en masse in late summer and autumn.

Oak or common hazel seedlings are used as a substrate for growing truffles. The seedlings are kept in sterile conditions for several weeks to allow the mycelium to take root. After this, the seedlings are planted in the nursery.

The soil for growing truffles should have a pH of 7.5-7.9 and a high content of humus and calcium. It should not contain stones, weeds and should not be contaminated with other types of mushrooms. Before planting, deep mechanical processing is carried out. The soil is not fertilized before planting. Environment must be dry, with average temperature 16.5-22°C.

Seedlings are planted in spring. No more than 500 trees per hectare. Pour a little water into the hole, cover the seedling tightly and water it again. The planting depth is 75 cm. A top layer of forest soil with fallen leaves and plastic film are placed near each seedling.

The edible part of the truffle is the fruiting body containing the spores. The fruiting bodies are located at a depth of about 20 cm. They are dug out with small shovels. An indicator of the presence of a truffle harvest is the so-called truffle flies.

Calorie content of truffle

The calorie content of 100 g of truffle is 25 kcal. Energy value:

• Proteins:………………….3 g (12 kcal)
• Fat:……………………….0.5 g (5 kcal)
• Carbohydrates:………………….2 g (8 kcal)

• The maximum weight of a truffle reaches 1 kg, although there are also very tiny specimens the size of a pea.
• According to one hypothesis, mature truffles contain anandamide, a psychotropic substance that is similar in effect to marijuana.
• In France and Italy, since the 15th century, it has been common to search for truffles growing in the forest with the help of search dogs and pigs, which can smell truffles underground at a distance of up to 20 m.
• In the 19th century, truffles began to be cultivated; at that time, up to 1000 tons of these mushrooms were collected. IN last years The truffle harvest is about 50 tons. Mushrooms are grown in the USA, Spain, Sweden, New Zealand, Australia and the UK. And in beginning of XXI century major manufacturer China has become the world's truffle market. The Chinese variety is cheaper, but its quality is lower.

Not everyone can say what a truffle is. A common comparison is a bittersweet cone-shaped candy. However, truffle is not only sweetness. This is a mushroom about which it is customary to say that once you try it at least once, it will be impossible to forget the taste. There are many legends around the truffle - about the taste, about the fact that only a select few can find it, and about much more. Whether this is so - we will find out further.

Where do truffles grow in Russia?

In general, I love truffles more country with warm temperate climate. Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Germany are considered ideal places for mushrooms to grow. However, you can find this truly priceless mushroom (and we will find out why it is such a little later) in Russia. Truffle places are the Moscow, Vladimir, Tula, Oryol, and Smolensk regions. Truffle also grows in the Middle Volga region. The question is different. The mushroom is very difficult to find, so residents of a particular area often simply do not know what wealth can be found on their lands.

Mushroom pickers don’t know what time it is necessary to collect ripe truffles, and only professionals can tell you how. Take, for example, the white truffle. Only true truffle “hunters” know where this species grows in Russia. So, first things first.

What is a truffle?

First, let’s find out what kind of mushroom this is. The truffle is considered a gourmet find, representing the most expensive mushroom in the world. Its size can be up to 15 centimeters, weight varies from 100 to 500 grams. Truffle grows in the ground, at a relatively shallow depth - 15-20 centimeters. But the appearance of beginners can scare away. Externally, the truffle is very similar to Jerusalem artichoke, forming a complex rhizome of an unsightly appearance with a light brown peel and soft interior. This type of mushroom is distinguished by its bright aroma, as well as a meaty taste, which does not even remotely resemble the taste of a mushroom. Truffles come in two types - black and white. The latter are large, they choose the above growing areas. Where in Russia does the summer truffle (aka black) grow?

Black truffles can be found both in the Caucasus and on the Black Sea coast.

Reproduction methods

Truffles reproduce in a way that is not quite usual for mushrooms. U common species this process occurs with the help of parts of the mycelium (seeds), spores or during the formation of secondary mycelium. Controversy simple mushrooms transported by wind or water. With truffles it's different. The only way they can reproduce is with the help of animals. Since the mushroom seeds are underground, neither wind nor water will be able to get them, much less transport them somewhere. The seeds are spread across the ground by animals, which dig them up and eat them, leaving behind pieces of the fungus from which a new one is then formed. So, we found out how these mushrooms reproduce and where truffles grow in Russia. Go ahead.

Which forests love truffles?

No matter how strange it may sound, truffle is a rather capricious mushroom. It is friends with only a few types of trees, so it is simply pointless to look for them in other forest belts. So, where does truffle (mushroom) grow in Russia? He chooses an area near the very roots of the tree. There it is comfortable and comfortable - there is always a lot of moisture, which allows the fungus to fully develop. Hornbeams and beeches are especially fond of truffles. They can also be found in birch rhizomes or unearthed from hazel trees. But my favorite tree is oak. Oak groves are where truffles grow in Russia (the photo below was taken during the truffle season).

There is another undeniable plus in this - both simple pigs and forest boars. It is their aroma that attracts animals to the location of the truffle, and then it’s a matter of little things. Mushroom is a favorite delicacy of these animals. Its aroma is much stronger than the smell of acorns. The boars smell it and dig it up, thereby giving it a chance to reproduce further.

Methods of extraction and cultivation

So, let's dwell on the methods of obtaining this mushroom. We remember where truffles grow in Russia. How they reproduce is the same. But now we’ll find out how to get them. To search for this expensive mushroom use specially trained pigs or dogs.

The smell of truffles is strong especially at night, which is why the “hunt” for them is carried out precisely in the dark. You can also find them by the swarm of midges that certainly hover over their location, enjoying the aromas of mushrooms. You must dig up the truffle very carefully, trying not to damage both the mushroom itself and the roots of the tree in which it grows. And now to the main thing - where do truffles grow in Russia at home? The answer is simple: nowhere. Trial cultivation processes are underway in our country. The fact is that they are very complex - the ground is covered with acorns that have fallen off at the site where the fungus grows. Soil suitable for growing oak is prepared and mixed with the soil where the truffles grew. The collected acorns are planted there, and only after 6 years can the first harvest be obtained. Today, taking into account all the subtleties, it is easier to buy a truffle in Russia than to grow it.

One of the most expensive mushrooms in the world is the truffle mushroom. This is the rarest and delicious delicacy. The mushroom has an unusual taste.

Translated from Greek it means earthen cone. Since according to appearance It resembles a small bump, you can see it by looking at the photo of truffle mushrooms.

Description of truffle mushrooms

The size of the mushroom is small, the maximum size is about 10 cm. The outer surface is dark blue or bright black, which is covered with warts.

However, there are species that have an even and smooth surface layer.

There are two types of pulp:

• dense in a young fetus;
• loose in a mature mushroom.

The taste is reminiscent of a nut, sweetish, but very tasty. The aroma of the mushroom is associated with algae.

Types of mushrooms

There are many varieties of truffle mushrooms in the world. Let's look at the most popular types:

Summer. It grows in Russia, the ripening period falls on summer months. Its size can be 10 cm. Its taste is associated with nuts.

Ginger. Found in Europe and North America. On Russian territory grows in Siberia.

White. Distributed in France and Italy. White truffle is one of the most expensive, tastes like cheese with garlic. The size can be about 12 cm.

American. It grows only on the coast of the United States of America, mainly in top layer soil. That's why this type The mushroom tastes like grass and flowers. Small in size, up to 5 cm.

Red. The bend is very small, does not grow more than 4 cm. Can be found in European countries. It tastes like coconut with wine.

Red shiny. Smaller in size than a red mushroom, approximately 3 cm in diameter. This truffle can be collected from May to August in deciduous forests. However, it is often possible to find in coniferous forests. It tastes like a mixture of wine, coconut and pear.

Where do they grow?

Many mushroom hunters wonder. Where do truffle mushrooms grow most often? As a rule, they grow in small groups of up to 7 pieces in forest areas.

Truffles are quite common in Russia. These are Crimea, Moscow, Samara, Orel, Vladimir and in many areas mainly in deciduous and displaced forests.

However, mushroom pickers have also found truffle mushrooms in coniferous forests.

Winter truffle grows in the Republic of Crimea. It is collected from November to March. It grows up to 15 cm in size and weighs up to a kilogram. When added to food, it gives the dish a nutmeg flavor.

You can find truffle mushrooms underground near the roots of oak, beech or hornbeam.

Benefits of mushrooms

It has long been proven that truffles can be eaten by humans. We can prepare many different dishes from mushrooms. They can be stewed or added to sauce. Can be served as a separate dish. These mushrooms can be harvested for the winter. They are canned or frozen.

Truffle mushroom is rich in vitamins and various microelements. The composition contains vitamins such as B, PP, C. They increase the level of fiber and have a positive effect on emotional condition person.

Truffles can be used to make a juice that can be used to treat eye diseases.

There are no contraindications to consuming the mushroom. If only individual intolerance to the product. And so, the main thing is that the mushroom is fresh and processed, then you can eat it without fear of health.

Truffle cultivation

In many countries, mushrooms have long been grown under artificially created conditions. Since in natural environment It is extremely difficult to find a mushroom.

In order for the mushroom to grow at home, certain conditions must be met:

• availability of the necessary trees;
• suitable soil;
• good weather conditions.

Growing truffles yourself is very expensive and the process takes a long time.

Artificially grown mushrooms differ in taste from those found in nature. And their cost is almost the same, due to the high costs.

Truffle mushroom is used in cosmetology. Italian cosmetologists add truffle extract to masks and creams that are intended for the skin of the face and hands.

Since they were able to prove that a cream based on truffle mushroom helps tighten the skin, remove age spots, and can also hide small facial wrinkles.

Photo of truffle