Truffleat

The Bianchetto or Marzuolo or Tuber Borchii Vittadini truffle is widespread throughout the Italian peninsula. It has similar characteristics to the white truffle because it has depressions on the peridium, it is smooth and of off-white color. In reality when it reaches maturity it becomes dark both inside and outside. Moreover, it differs from the more prized variant for its aroma: soft at the beginning, tending to assume strong tones of garlic afterwards. Its commercial value is lower than white. It prefers calcareous soils and deciduous woods such as turkey oaks, holm oaks and downy oaks, or conifers such as larches, cedars, firs and some species of pine.

The Alba white truffle, precious white truffle or Tuber Magnatum Pico is the truffle par excellence. It is born and grows only in Istria and Piedmont, where it takes the name of Alba Truffle. It lives in symbiosis with oaks, willows, lime trees and poplars, but it can also be found in black hornbeam and hazelnut trees. The appearance is globular, with irregularities on the peridium whose surface is slightly velvety. The color varies from cream to ochre and remains constant even when fully ripe. The gleba is white and yellow-greyish marbled with white veins. It is extremely aromatic, reminiscent of the smell of Parmesan cheese. It requires a soft and humid soil with good ventilation.

The black summer truffle or Scorzone or Tuber Aestivum Vittadini resembles the precious black truffle, but it stands out because at the moment of cutting the gleba has a dark yellow color. The surface has almost pointed warts, the smell is delicate. This variety can reach remarkable dimensions. It grows in clayey and sandy soils, from the plain up to 1000 meters. Depending on the altitude, it can be found in symbiosis with downy oak, oak, hornbeam, beech, hazelnut, or with downy oak, holm oak, oak, pine or hazel.

The black winter truffle or Tuber Brumale Vittadini is easily confused with fine black truffle. The surface is black-brown with small warts, while the gleba is dark with marble veins. The scent is intense and persistent with musky tones, and in the nutmeg variant reminiscent of the famous spice. It can be found in plants such as oak, oak, downy oak, beech, holm oak, black pine, larch, black and white hornbeam or hazelnut. Its economic value is half that of the precious black truffle.