Types of Truffles
It is common to say that the truffle is an underground mushroom when in fact it is the fruit of the mycelium or host. Truffles do not carry out photosynthesis. They are restricted to living a symbiotic life, connected to another life form. This partnership occurs with trees. It is thanks to mycelium, that the truffle looks for a partner tree. It cannot survive without it, and the forests of Motovun provide perfect trees for the Truffles existence.
A key habitat of this most expensive food is the famous Motovun forest, which is located along the river Mirna, below the walls of the magnificent town of the same name.
Yet international professionals and thematic gastronomic conclude “That the Istria white truffle is in no way inferior to those of the most prized from Alba, Italy.
The unknown secrets of nature may one day prove that the "truffles from Alba" actually originated from Istria and the forests from both regions share a common heredity.
The luscious Motovun Forest is a remnant of native lowland forests called longoze which are an ecosystem of hardwood trees that emerged from the soil of river valleys and plains of the Mediterranean littoral deposited by rivers flowing to the sea. These forests surround the walled hilltop town of the same name and tickle the imagination not just for its soil where the unusual association of truffles and the roots of the proud oak trees happen but for it’s tales of giants defeating knights in battle.
There are several types of truffles in Istria that grow throughout most of the year. The one most prized is the white truffle, Tuber magnatum pico, whose price can reach as high as three thousand euros per kilo, appears on the market in the fall and lasts roughly until the end of the year.
Tuber melanosporum vittadini - Noble Black Truffle
Ball shaped, sometimes divided into lobes, dark-red in color, its surface covered with flattened warts, which are concave at the top and have longitudinal channels. The Nugget is dark gray, red and black, covered with bright, thin and highly branched patterns. Its spores are needle-shaped. Size reaches, and can exceed, the size of a large apple. It is collected throughout the winter, especially in the first months of the year, at the foot of oak trees, hazel and black hornbeam. Due to its specific taste and aromatic scent it is highly appreciated in the culinary world. The French consider it to be the best and therefore the most prized among the black truffles. It is advisable to cook it shortly before consuming it.
Tuber aestivum Vittadini - Summer Truffle
Usually, spherical or slightly rounded shape, black surfaces transversely covered with pyramid warts, which are clearly visible. Nugget, whose color is always bright red, is covered with many white veins. Its spores are alveolar. The largest specimens can reach the size of an apple. It is one of the most common truffles - apart from a short break in spring, it can be found throughout the year in large quantities at the foot of oak, hazel, poplar, beech and pine trees. The Uncinatum Fischer (Tuber uncinatum Chatin) sort is much appreciated. Its scent is, light, earthy, aromatic and pleasant. Being in abundance, it never reaches the price of the precious Tuber melanosporum.
Tuber brumale Vittadini - Winter Truffle
Usually spherical or slightly rounded shape, black and dark iron surface, covered with flattened and well-visible warts which are concave at the top and have longitudinal channels. This Nugget's color is dark black or gray-black with a wide white veins. Spores are needle-shaped. Its size usually exceeds the size of a hen's egg. It can be found in the fall and early winter at the foot of oak trees and hazel. The scent and taste are more intense, but enjoyable (especially the moschatum Ferry sort) so it is consumed normally, although it is not as appreciated as Tuber melanosporum, with which it is sometimes replaced.
Tuber magnatum Pico - Respected White Truffle
This truffle is spherical, often flattened with an irregular shape, pale yellow or sometimes ocher colored, covered with red and sullen spots, never gray, smooth or with slight nodes. The nugget is covered with numerous, very intensely branched white veins, takes on shades ranging from milk color to intense pink. Its spores are alveolar. It reaches a size of a large apple. It can be found in late summer, autumn and early winter at the foot of the oak, willow, poplar, linden, and in areas with significant levels of humidity. Due to the specific taste and smell it is respected throughout the world and proclaimed the culinary king. It is consumed raw.