Where do truffles grow?

Truffles are belowground fungi that have a strong fragrance. They are distinguished by an unusual, though skinned potato-like shape growing in woods. They are considered as “the diamond of the kitchen". There are two types of truffles; winter white, and summer black truffles.

Types of Truffles:

The winter white diamonds:

The white type, “Tuber Magnatum Pico,” is also known as White Alba truffles. They originate in the northern region of Italy, typically Piedmont. They are of yellowish-gray color and shaped like potatoes. Italian White diamonds are a delicate and rare type of edible mushroom. Besides, they are wild seasonal earthy fruits that grow mainly in the desert after the rain.Their weight is from 30 to 300 grams.

In various countries of the Middle East, white truffles grow in large quantities such as in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Iran, and North Africa as well. In addition, truffles can be stored in the fridge, or the freezer for a long time from five to ten months. You have to keep in mind that before storing white fungus, you should wash and dry them.

From the middle of September to December or January, it is time for harvesting white truffles. While autumn is the season of white truffles in Italy, winter is a great time for harvesting in some North African countries such as Tunisia, where they are known as Tervez, as the Romans called them. Further, the Tervez that was used in Rome, came from Greece, Libya, and Carthage.

The black type:

The back ones are also known as "Tuber melanosporum” or French black truffles. They are species native to Southern Europe. Also, they are one of the most expensive edible fungi in the world. This type is described as round with dark brown skin. Furthermore, they have a strong smell and normally reach the size of ten cm. For instance, in 2012, a large black one, weighing 1,277 kg, was found in Spain.

These truffles have a slightly peppery and bitter taste. Their aromatic compounds dissipate when they are stored at room temperature. The cultivation of this type of truffles has become a tradition for many Western countries such as France and Italy. The great climate of these places offers a large number of black diamonds.

Now, this type can be found in different places like Australia, North America, Chile, Argentina, Wales, New Zealand, and South Africa. About 6 to 10 years from growing the Hazel trees, truffles can be harvested as they grow next to the roots of these trees. They are the second most expensive species after white truffles. In cooking, the black type is used to refine the taste of meat, soups, cheese, and fish. Its aroma does not diminish when it is heated, it becomes more intense. France and Spain are considered the main producers of this variety. The production of these diamonds represents the first and main economic activity in Aragon, Spain.

The nutritional value:

Truffles are a great source of antioxidants that help in fighting free radicals and preventing oxidative damage to your body cells. Many studies and researches show that antioxidants are important to many aspects of our health and may even be linked to a lower risk of chronic conditions like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

Two hundred grams of truffles contain :

-150 calories

-1 gram of fat

-0 cholesterol

--17 grams of Carbohydrates

--8 grams of protein.

Where do truffles grow?

One may ask where do truffles grow? Today, this species of mushrooms are found in warm territories of Mediterranean Europe, Western North America, and Australia. Truffles, either black or white, grow under the dirt near the roots of the trees. The greatest amount of this fungus is found in France, Italy, and the Pacific Northwest Territories. Further, the varieties that grow in Italy and France are the most expensive.

In other places such as Tunisia, they grow in the desert and can be found under the roots of small wild plants.

How can I know if I found a truffle?

The easy way to find these diamonds is to look for proof of an animal scraping around the tree on the ground. Also, you can clean any trash around the tree to see if any truffle is coming through the surface. In addition, knowing the type of trees, under which this fungus grows, is considered an easy way to find this amazing mushroom.

To sum up, several places around the world are considered as suitable territories for growing truffles.