Truffles

The white truffle (scientific name Tuber Magnatum Pico) also known as the white truffle of Alba, is undoubtedly the most valuable truffle variety both from an economic and gastronomic point of view. The gleba is white, with a marbled appearance, over time it takes on reddish spots on a gray background. The smell is intense with tones reminiscent of tetrahydrothiophene (used for the odorization of methane gas intended for domestic distribution). It grows underground at depths that can go from a few cm up to over a meter in clayey soils, often near watercourses.

The Tuber Melanosporum, commonly called the Pregiato Black Truffle, also known as the Black Truffle of Norcia and Spoleto, thanks to its specific flavor and aromatic scent is considered by the French as precious as the White truffle. It is eaten preferably after short cooking. The gleba is black-brown tending to violet or reddish, with thick and thin whitish veins, with well-defined contours and accompanied by two brown bands, translucent on the sides.

The Bianchetto (scientific name Tuber Albidum Pico) is a little precious truffle, but sometimes, some larger specimens are sold mixed with white truffles with which it is often confused by nasi little experts. Less fragrant than the white truffle and is on average smaller in size. The gel is marbled by whitish and reddish-white veins on a brown-violet or reddish-brown background.

The Tuber Aestivum well known among truffle connoisseurs with the vulgar name of "Scorzone" or Black Summer, is one of the least prized truffles although it is a good mushroom. The gleba has a hazelnut color, more or less yellowish in the mature specimens, often also of a lighter color, it is furrowed by numerous whitish veins, more or less thin, branched and anastomosed.

Moscato (scientific name Tuber Brumale Moschatum) is very similar in appearance to Tuber Brumale, it is distinguished by the more intense scent that recalls musk. The glebe is gray-brownish or gray-smoky, with white veins that are more sparse and coarser than T. melanosporum, which determine large white areas at the points where they meet.

The Winter Black Truffle (scientific name Tuber Brumale), is less pleasant than the precious black truffle, with which it is sometimes confused. The gleba is gray-brownish or gray-smoke, with white veins that are more sparse and coarser than T. melanosporum, which determine large white areas in the points where they meet. The smell is strong, pleasant, of immature hazelnut, in mature specimens it is reminiscent of that of turnip.

The Tuber Mesentericum, commonly called Tuber Mesentericum, similar to the Brumale variety but is distinguished by the strong smell of phenol. Of globose and fairly regular shape, it presents a characteristic basal depression. The glebe is yellowish, brown or gray-brown with light veining and labyrinth pattern.

The Uncinato Truffle (scientific name Tuber Uncinatum) is very similar to Scorzone. The gleba is darker than that of the truffle aestivum (summer), almost chocolate color in the mature specimens, but the smell is stronger and more pleasant. Its name derives from the Latin uncinatum = uncinate, due to the crests of the spores that appear in the shape of a hook.