Tuber brumale

Description

Tuber brumale is a species of truffle native to Southern Europe. It is naturally present in the soils of many truffle orchards. It is primarily harvested from November to mid-March. It has very dark, almost black skin and is characterized by small flat, and globular warts. It can vary in diameter from 2 to 9 centimeters and has pale, marbled flesh with a tangle of clear-cut veins in two main colors: white and grey.

Although you can also find Tuber brumale in the same places as Tuber melanosporum and associated with the same trees, Tuber brumale prefers hazels and lindens. It can grow in less calcareous soils and more humid places than Tuber melanosporum. Tuber brumale is considered unwelcome in truffle plantations of Tuber melanosporum.

Aroma varies widely and can be overwhelming on some specimens. Aroma is described in the literature as fermented fruit, bitter yeast, nuts, hazelnuts, and sometime gasoline.

Tuber brumale is a very variable species that has led to the creation of many forms, varieties, subspecies, and even new species.

Common names: Muscat Truffle, Winter Truffle.

Synonyms

1. Tuber hiemalbum Chatin (1869)

2. Tuber renati Bonnet (1884)

3. Tuber montanum Chatin (1891)

4. Tuber moschatum Bonnet (1869)

5. Tuber moschatum Bonnet var. suaveolens Ferry de la Bellone (1888)

6. Tuber moschatum Bonnet var. graveolens Ferry de la Bellone (1888)

7. Tuber melanosporum Vittadini var. moschatum (Ferry de la Bellone & Bonnet) Chatin (1892)

Photo sources:

Photo 1 - Author: moi-même (Public Domain)

Photo 2 - Author: Emil Doerstling (Public Domain)