Truffle is considered a delicacy for gourmets and the most expensive fungus in the world. Fruit bodies of truffles are deep underground, they are characterized by a round or tubular shape. Fungi form mycorrhizas with the roots of trees. Truffles have more than a hundred varieties. Conditionally they can be divided into black, which are more common, and white, more rare and therefore more valued.
They grow in countries with a warm temperate climate. Their production is common in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Portugal. The most valuable and expensive are black truffles, which are mined in Perigora in France, and white ones growing in Piedmont and Umbria in Italy. Many people are interested in the question: where does the truffle mushroom grow in Russia?
Where in Russia does the white truffle grow?
This type of truffle can be found rarely, so it is very valuable. In Russia it grows in the Middle Volga, Vladimir, Moscow, Smolensk, Tula, Oryol regions. White truffles grow from late autumn to early winter.
The size of the fungus is up to 15 cm, weight - up to 500 g, in the soil it is at a shallow depth - up to 15 cm. Externally the white truffle is similar to Jerusalem artichoke , it has brown peel and light flesh. For truffles is more meat than mushroom taste and pronounced flavor.
Where in Russia is growing a black truffle?
A black truffle that can be found in Russia is called summer truffle. Where does the summer truffle grow in Russia? Its location can be called the Caucasus on the Black Sea coast. He prefers growing limestone soils. Its dimensions reach 10 cm, it grows in the earth at a depth of 10-15 cm. Collect this kind of truffle at the end of summer - early autumn.
In what forests do truffles grow in Russia?
Mushroom truffles prefer to grow near the roots of such trees: oak, birch, hornbeam, beech, walnut. Accordingly, they can be collected in forests where such species of trees occur. The greatest likelihood is that the truffle mushroom grows in Russia in oak forests.
Reproduction of truffles in nature
In nature truffles reproduce differently than other fungi, in which spores are transported by wind or water. The only way to spread seeds (mycelium) truffles occurs with the help of animals. As the seeds are deep underground, the animals carry them when they search for mushrooms.
Methods for collecting truffles
To search for truffles use specially trained animals - pigs or dogs. This is considered a real hunt, which is carried out at night, since at night the smell of truffles is better heard. You can try to find mushrooms, focusing on numerous swarms of Simuliidae above the ground. If one truffle is found, then next to it there are 5-6 mushrooms. Collecting truffles is a very complex process. They must be excavated and collected very carefully, trying not to damage both the mushrooms themselves, and the roots of the tree near which they grow.
Growing truffles
Cultivation of truffles on artificially created plantations -
The first harvest is obtained after 6 years. Collect mushroom yields can be for 25-30 years. They will be up to 15 kg of truffles per hectare of land.
In Russia, the technology of growing truffles is not common, this process is typical for other countries.