truffles in hampshire

[sbeau66]

I know its the wrong time of year, but has anyone on WAB found the summer truffle in the hampshire area? and what soil/host tree types do they favour?

[Ditiola]

There are lots of different species of truffles (Hypogeus fungi) around 180 species according to the 'Dictionary of the Fungi. They belonging to both the Ascomycete and Basidiomycete phylum's. Therefore not surprisingly there is also a wide range of host trees depending on the genus and species of truffle.

There distribution is not well known as being subterranean they are not well recorded.

Peter

[cybershot]

Presumably sbeau66 is referring to Tuber aestivum -Summer Truffle (associated with oak, hazel and beech on calcareous soil), which is such a prized culinary delicacy that anyone with such knowledge is hardly likely to reveal its location(s).

David

[Ditiola]

David
Probably so: but I was hoping to steer the thread away from the WAB's -forbidden 'Edible' topic and to inspire new members with all the wonders of the fungi world, by bringing awareness to all the amazing and beautiful fungi to be appreciated and enjoyed as fungi and not just something to eat or in the case of Truffles to make lots of money from. I know its a long hard slog but I feel I need to keep chipping away

Peter

[Leif]

Originally Posted by cybershot

Presumably sbeau66 is referring to Tuber aestivum -Summer Truffle (associated with oak, hazel and beech on calcareous soil), which is such a prized culinary delicacy that anyone with such knowledge is hardly likely to reveal its location(s).

David

+1

I have heard that there are sites in Hampshire and Wiltshire, but I do not know details and would not reveal them anyway otherwise they might be full of people with dogs tearing up the undergrowth.

And as Peter says, there are many fascinating hypogeous fungi, most inedible, but all rather interesting due to rarity.

[cybershot]

Well said Leif. When there's so little to report at the moment, this serves as a timely reminder, and encouragement for the forthcoming season, of that memorable day last October amonst the pines of Minley when you guided JP and I to your find of Rhizopogon luteolus - False Yellow Truffle (not to mention the maginificent collection of Sarcodon squamosus - Scaly Tooth).

Also generally speaking, whether anyone likes it or not, I cannot totally disassociate my enjoyment of foraging for my favourite edibles in season, from my excitement of finding and recording interesting species on year round forays: It's an integral part of my interest in the subject and as such I don't agree with WAB's recent policy of a total eclipse of this aspect which many other references (including WAB; in threads of the past and currently in the A to Z) cover adequately and responsibly.

David

[mollisia]

Hello,

Tuber aestivum -Summer Truffle [...] which is such a prized culinary delicacy

Tuber aestivum usually tastes like unripe nuts - quite ugly. If it is fully ripe and has that characteristic aromatic smell - then it tastes a little bit better: It has no taste then.
So Tuber aestivum is not poisonous, but far from being a delicacy. It is not even recommended for eating in my opinion. It's just "edible" in the sense of not harming you. Like carton or saw dust .....

Only way to make Tuber aestivum taste "like truffle" is to prepare it with synthetic truffle oil, which is an oil beset with synthetic aromata which the pruducer thinks that the customer thinks to be truffle-like. It tastes nice, really, but has nothing to do with Tuber aestivum!

I had Tuber aestivum in my own garden and can tell you, there is now way to make a delicacy out of it!

best regards,
Andreas

[SheffieldLass]

Originally Posted by mollisia

Hello,




Only way to make Tuber aestivum taste "like truffle" is to prepare it with synthetic truffle oil, which is an oil beset with synthetic aromata which the pruducer thinks that the customer thinks to be truffle-like. It tastes nice, really, but has nothing to do with Tuber aestivum!

You could try sprinkling it with real truffle oil .... though now you've made me wonder, I'd better check that my real truffle oil is really real, not synthetic ...

Melanie

[mollisia]

Originally Posted by SheffieldLass

You could try sprinkling it with real truffle oil .... though now you've made me wonder, I'd better check that my real truffle oil is really real, not synthetic ...

Melanie

Hi Mel,

I have never seen a "real" truffle oil, means without any ingredients besides oil and Tuber. There as been always additions like "nature-identical flavours" or something like this ....

best regards,
Andreas