Tuber Melanosporum Truffle
Farming Guide
Truffles are the fruit of mycorrhizal fungi, meaning they live in association with the roots of certain host trees or shrubs, such as oaks, holm oaks, hazels, Cistus, or some pines. Truffles grow underground, and some species develop an aromatic scent to attract animals that dig them up and spread their spores while eating. This aroma is also appreciated by humans and recognized by dogs, which can be trained to harvest them.
Truffles belong to the genus Tuber, within the Ascomycota phylum. There are several species, around 40 in total, but only a few have significant market value. These include the black truffle or Perigord truffle (Tuber melanosporum), the winter truffle (Tuber brumale), the summer truffle (Tuber aestivum) and its ecotype, the burgundy truffle (Tuber uncinatum), and the white truffle from Piedmont (Tuber magnatum), which holds great value. However, its cultivation still yields unpredictable results.
- Black truffle (Tuber melanosporum Vitt)
- Winter truffle (Tuber brumale)
- Summer truffle (Tuber aestivum)
- Burgundy truffle (Tuber uncinatum)