TYPES OF TRUFFLES
Spring, summer, autumn and winter truffles of San Miniato, Tuscany
SPRING TRUFFLES
Tuber Borchii Vitt. o Tuber Albidum Pico
Market value: medium
Italian name: Tartufo Marzuolo o Bianchetto (Marzuolo Truffle or Bianchetto Truffle); We can find it in tuscan forest from January to April; The outer part (called “peridio” or “scorza”) is smooth, its color is light yellow or brown (it depends on symbiont plants). Its inside (called “gleba”) is hazelnut color or bown/dark-brown color, with numerous white veins not very thin; It has a strong pleasant fragrance (sensation of garlic); on the contrary the taste is not strong, but is very delicate!
Tuber Brumale Var. Moschatum De Ferry
Market value: low
Italian name: Tartufo Nero Moscato (Black truffle); We can find it in tuscan forest from February to March; The outer part (called “peridio” o scorza”) is wrinkled, with not very pronounced streak; its color is black. Its inside (called “gleba”) is bown/grey-brown color, with white veins not very thin; It has a spicy fragrance; the taste (after little cooking) is delicate!
Tuber Brumale Vitt.
Market value: low
Italian name: Tartufo Nero D'inverno (Black truffle); We can find it in tuscan forest from January to March; The outer part (called “peridio” o scorza”) is wrinkled, with not very pronounced streak; its color is black. Its inside (called “gleba”) is brown or chocolate color, with numerous white veins; It has a faint fragrance; the taste is likewise delicate!
SUMMER TRUFFLES
Tuber Aestivum Vitt.
Market value: medium
Italian name: Tartufo Nero Scorzone (Black truffle); We can find it in tuscan forest from May to September; The outer part (called “peridio” or “scorza”) is wrinkled, with very pronounced streak; its color is black. Its inside (called “gleba”) is hazelnut color or bown/light-brown color, with numerous white veins very thin; It has a delicate and pleasant fragrance; the taste is likewise delicate!
Tuber Macrosporum Vitt.
Market value: low
Italian name: Tartufo Nero Liscio (Black truffle); We can find it in tuscan forest from August to October; The outer part (called “peridio” or “scorza”) is wrinkled, with not very pronounced streak; its color is black. Its inside (called “gleba”) is bown or chocolate color, with numerous white veins; It has a pleasant fragrance (little garlic sensation); the taste is delicate!
FALL / WINTER TRUFFLES
Tuber Magnatum Pico
Market value: very hight
Italian name: Tartufo Bianco Pregiato (White Truffle, the king of all truffles!): We can find it in Tuscan forest from September to December. The outer part (called “peridio” o scorza”) is smooth and its color is yellow/light brown gold color sometimes with shades gold color. Its inside (called “gleba”) is hazelnut color, with numerous white veins very thin. Inside the truffle, sometimes, we can find bright red veins that are due to the type of the symbiont plant: the truffle is undoubtedly high quality!!! It has a strong and pleasant fragrance; on the contrary the taste is not strong, but is very delicate!
Tuber Melanosporum Vitt.
Market value: medium
Italian name: Tartufo Nero Pregiato (Black Truffle):We can find it in tuscan forest from November to March; The outer part (called “peridio” o scorza”) is wrinkled, with not very pronounced streak; its color is black. Its inside (called “gleba”) is hazelnut color is black or black/violet color, with numerous white veins very thin; It has a delicate and pleasant fragrance; the taste is likewise delicate!
Tuber Uncinatum Chatin
Market Value: medium/low
Italian name: Tartufo Nero Uncinato (Black truffle);We can find it in tuscan forest from September to December; The outer part (called “peridio” o scorza”) is wrinkled, with not very pronounced streak; its color is black. Its inside (called “gleba”) is hazelnut color or bown/dark-brown color, with numerous white veins very thin; It has a delicate and pleasant fragrance; the taste is likewise delicate!
Tuber Mesentericum Vitt.
Market value: medium/low
Italian name: Tartufo Nero ordinario o “mesenterico” (Black truffle); We can find it in tuscan forest from September to January; The outer part (called “peridio” o “scorza”) is wrinkled, with not very pronounced streak; its color is black. Its inside (called “gleba”) is hazelnut color or yellow/brown color, with numerous white veins not very thin; Has a faint fragrance and little flavor.