about truffles
what is truffles?
Truffles are generally considered to be all those fungi that form subterranean fruiting bodies and live in a symbiotic relationship with the roots of one or more host plants (fig 1) that are exceptionally popular in culinary circles worldwide; however, there remains only limited understanding of the occurrence of truffles in forest ecosystems around the world. These hypogeous fungi colonize the roots of dominant tree species such as oak, pine, Hazelnut tree, poplar, birch, or aspen creating a mutual symbiosis that has existed for approximately 120 million years. The ECM fungi provide the host tree with improved access to minerals and water and in response, the plant can convey up to one third of the photosynthetic ingredients to the fungus. The sharing of metabolites is vital for the perdurability of both tree and fungus, mainly in poor-conditioned soils and the ECMs offer an important strategy to dissolve the lack of nutrient and carbohydrate encountered by trees and fungi in forest. Truffles create edible hypogenous fruiting bodies in which some of Tuber species such as Tuber Magnatum, Tuber Melanosporum, Choiromyces venosus and Tuber Aestivum have had worldwide mercantile importance.
Although more than 20 species of truffles are known in Europe, only a few have culinary value. Truffles spend their entire lives under the ground and must be eaten by animals to liberate their spores, especially mammals attracted to its strong aroma.
Why are truffles so valued?
For their intense and exclusive aroma. Winter black truffles are best if used when cooking a dish, as their aroma and flavor are long-lasting. A winter black truffle, the size of a walnut, is capable of filling a room with their strong aroma. Since the Ancient Age the truffe has been a gourmet dish.. Ancient Greeks and Romans were of the opinion that truffle has therapeutic and aphrodisiac properties.
fig 1: Some trees are symbiotic with truffles
Why are truffles so expensive?
Truffles are valuable because they are very rare and hard to find. It is estimated that the demand is 10 times greater than the supply. World production of truffles is insufficient to meet market demands, and the price goes up. Wild truffles are disappearing and cultivated truffles failed to lower prices.
Have cultivated truffles the same aroma?
Absolutely not! Cultivated truffles don't have the same aroma as wild truffles. Wild truffles grow under adverse conditions, adapting to Mediterranean climate with little rain in summer and having to grow to a sufficient depth to protect against drought. Sometimes we find they half a meter below ground and more. The more profound, more aroma must have to be detected by animals and better preserve this aroma. Cultivated truffles are irrigated and worked, so they grow superficially, losing much of its aroma. The result is a more beautiful round truffle but with much less aroma.
What are the best edible truffles?
Two truffles are the best: The white Alba truffle (Tuber magnatum) and the black winter truffle (Tuber melanosporum). The remaining truffles have far less aroma. This would include: Tuber brumale, Tuber aestivum, Tuber uncinatum, Tuber mesentericum, Tuber macrosporum, Tuber borchii and Tuber indicum.
What are nutrational value of truffles?
1. Rich Nutrition Value (fig 2): Truffles contain a lot of important vitamins and minerals for our bodies such as vitamin C, calcium, magnesium and iron. They are also high in protein and fibre. In fact, studies have found that truffles may even be a complete source of protein, providing you with all the nourishment you need.
2. High in Antioxidants: Antioxidants are important for our health as lower the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Because truffles are high in several antioxidants such as Vitamin C and Lucopene, they can help kill cancer cells and reduce inflammation in the body.
3. They are cholesterol-free: High cholesterol is associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Truffles are a cholesterol-free food so all the more reason to load up.
fig 2: nutrational value of truffles
4. Reduces inflammation: Research has suggested that truffles may help relieve inflammation and hence promote overall health, immunity and reduce the risk of infection, illness and chronic disease.
5. They’re low fat: Truffles are great for those who don’t want to eat too much fat or are aiming to keep their weight down. When dried, they only have about two to eight per cent of fat.
What is the diversity and distribution of tubers in Iran?
Iran is a country with four seasons, which means that it has a lot of heat to a lot of cold at any time, so we can confidently say that Iran is in an exceptional position in the field of agricultural and horticultural products as well as natural products. Iranian products are mainly grown naturally and traditionally and therefore have a real and natural taste.
The Spring season in Iran, especially the months of April and May, is a thriving season for the wild harvesting and sale of fresh medicinal plants and mushrooms that are seen in the form of local markets and seasonal stores during the rainy season. Based on habitats of Iranian truffles, they can be classified in two groups including "Forest truffles" and "Desert truffles".
Tuber aestivum (fig 3) and Tuber uncinatum are the two scientific genera introduced for Iranian Forest truffles. To date, Iran seems to be the most Eastern location where European species of Tuber are found; More...
"Desert truffles" are distributed in Northwest, West, East and Southern of Iran, specially in uncultivated area with special soil physicochemical properties. Based on macroscopic, microscopic and molecular analysis, "Terfezia sp." (fig 4) and "Picoa sp." are two common genus of desert truffles; More...
fig 3: Tuber aestivum
fig 4: Terfezia sp.