Also called “Périgord truffle”, the black truffle (
tuber melanosporum
) is appreciated by gourmets.
Picking begins around mid-December.
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How to recognize the black truffle?
The black truffle is a fungus from the tuber family, which is also known as the Périgord truffle.
It should not be confused with other species of truffles, such as the white Alba truffle, the brumal truffle, the Mayenque truffle, the Burgundy truffle and finally the Lorraine truffle.
The black truffle is spherical and looks like a small potato.
The surface of the truffle, as its name suggests, is black.
It is dotted with small warts.
The flesh is firm, crunchy and gives off a strong smell.
Read alsoMushroom picking: the right things to avoid poisoning
Where and when to find truffles?
The black truffle is generally harvested under oaks and hazel trees, but also ashes or hornbeams.
They are buried in calcareous and dry soils, in the south of France, between 500 and 1,000 meters above sea level.
It can be found between mid-December and mid-March.
Its lifespan is between 200 and 290 days.
The Burgundy truffle season is earlier: between mid-September and mid-January.
Read alsoWhere and how to find mushrooms?
Where does the scent of the black truffle come from?
Bis(methylthio)methane is a chemical compound present in the black truffle and responsible for its particular smell.
It is not alone: about fifty other volatile organic compounds are disseminated by the truffle in order to reproduce.
Depending on the tree it is associated with, the mushroom will emit a different scent.
The black truffle is known for its taste and smell of humus and musk.
However, beyond the nuances of perfume specific to the mushroom, it should be remembered that truffle lovers do not all have the same feeling: the nose of the one who smells also has a strong impact.
Read alsoThe tree and the truffle: a vital link
What is the price of a black truffle?
The black truffle, also called "black diamond", is known to be a prestigious condiment.
It is often found on Christmas tables.
Its price can vary between €400 and €1,000 per kilo.
Even more for some exceptional truffles.
The most expensive truffle remains the Alba white truffle, whose prices vary between 5,000 and 7,000€/kilo.
In 2013, 11 truffles of this species were sold in Alba, in Italian Piedmont, for over €274,000.