Tuber aestivum

Last updated

Summer truffle /
Burgundy truffle
Tuber aestivum Valnerina 018.jpg
Summer truffle, cut open
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Pezizomycetes
Order: Pezizales
Family: Tuberaceae
Genus: Tuber
Species:
T. aestivum
Binomial name
Tuber aestivum
Vittad. (1831)
Synonyms
Tuber aestivum
Information icon.svg
Gleba icon.png Glebal hymenium
NA cap icon.svg Hymenium attachment is not applicable
NA cap icon.svgLacks a stipe
Transparent spore print icon.svg
Transparent spore print icon.svg
Spore print is blackish-brown to brown
Mycorrhizal fungus.svgEcology is mycorrhizal
Mycomorphbox Choice.pngEdibility is choice

The summer truffle (Tuber aestivum) or burgundy truffle (Tuber uncinatum) is a species of truffle, found in almost all European countries. [1]

Contents

Taxonomy

In cuisine and commerce, particularly in France and Italy, the summer truffle (T. aestivum) is distinguished from the burgundy truffle (T. uncinatum). However, molecular analysis showed in 2004 that these two varieties of truffle are one species. The differences between them are therefore likely due to environmental factors. [2] [3]

This article uses the older of the two binomial names, or senior synonym, T. aestivum, to designate the species, [4] while discussing the characteristics of the two varieties separately.

Burgundy truffles

Burgundy truffles (French : truffe de Bourgogne; Italian : tartufo nero di Fragno or scorzone, "bark"; Spanish : trufa de verano; Catalan : tòfona gravada; Swedish : svart sommartryffel), have a hazelnut-like aroma and are prized for their gastronomic qualities. They are used in the haute cuisine of France and Italy, sometimes as a less expensive, milder substitute for the Périgord black truffle ( T. melanosporum ) when the latter are not available. Like other truffles, they are also packaged for export. [2]

With bodies (ascocarps) from 2 to 10 centimetres (1 to 4 inches) in diameter, burgundy truffles are relatively large. Their brown or black outer skin (peridium) forms pyramidal warts about 3 to 9 mm (18 to 1132 in) wide, resembling rough bark. [2]

Burgundy truffles are harvested from September to late December, sometimes also until late January. [2] They have a wider distribution than any other truffle species. Burgundy truffles are found across Europe, from Spain to eastern Europe and from Sweden to North Africa. In France they are found mainly in the north-east and in Italy, in the north. In the United Kingdom they were plentiful prior to the 20th century, but are now rare. Their distribution may not yet be definitively established: there are as of 2007 unconfirmed reports of findings in China. [1]

Summer truffles

The flavor, size and color of summer truffles (Italian : tartufo estivo; French : truffe d'été; Catalan : tòfona d'estiu) is similar to that of burgundy truffles, but their aroma is less intense and the flesh (gleba) is a paler hazel color. [2]

As their name suggests, summer truffles are harvested earlier than burgundy truffles, from May to August. [2] They are most often found in the southern part of the distribution area of the species, notably in the Mediterranean climate areas of France, Italy and Spain. [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Truffle</span> Fruiting body of a subterranean ascomycete fungus

A truffle is the fruiting body of a subterranean ascomycete fungus, one of the species of the genus Tuber. More than one hundred other genera of fungi are classified as truffles including Geopora, Peziza, Choiromyces, and Leucangium. These genera belong to the class Pezizomycetes and the Pezizales order. Several truffle-like basidiomycetes are excluded from Pezizales, including Rhizopogon and Glomus. Truffles are ectomycorrhizal fungi, so they are found in close association with tree roots. Spore dispersal is accomplished through fungivores, animals that eat fungi. These fungi have ecological roles in nutrient cycling and drought tolerance.

<i>Tuber magnatum</i> Species of edible fungus

Tuber magnatum, the white truffle, is a species of truffle in the order Pezizales and family Tuberaceae. It is found in southern Europe, the Balkans and Thailand.

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<i>Helminthosporium solani</i> Species of fungus

Helminthosporium solani is a fungal plant pathogen responsible for the plant disease known as silver scurf. Silver scurf is a blemish disease, meaning the effect it has on tubers is mostly cosmetic and affects "fresh market, processing and seed tuber potatoes." There are some reports of it affecting development, meaning growth and tuber yield. This is caused by light brown lesions, which in turn change the permeability of tuber skin and then it causes tuber shrinkage and water loss, which finally causes weight loss. The disease has become economically important because silver scurf affected potatoes for processing and direct consumption have been rejected by the industry. The disease cycle can be divided into two stages: field and storage. It is mainly a seed borne disease and the primary source of inoculum is mainly infected potato seed tubers. Symptoms develop and worsen in storage because the conditions are conducive to sporulation. The ideal conditions for the spread of this disease are high temperatures and high humidity. There are also many cultural practices that favor spread and development. There are multiple ways to help control the disease.

<i>Quercus rotundifolia</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Fagaceae

Quercus rotundifolia, the holm oak or ballota oak, is an evergreen oak native to the western Mediterranean region, with the majority on the Iberian Peninsula and minor populations in Northwest Africa. The species was first described by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in 1785. It is the typical species of the Iberian dehesa or montado, where its sweet-astringent acorns are a source of food for livestock, particularly the Iberian pig. Its acorns have been used for human nourishment since the Neolithic era. It is placed in section Ilex. Some authors described it as a subspecies of Quercus ilex.

<i>Tuber oregonense</i> Species of fungus

Tuber oregonense, commonly known as the Oregon white truffle, is a species of edible truffle in the genus Tuber. Described as new to science in 2010, the North American species is found on the western coast of the United States, from northern California to southern British Columbia west of the Cascade Range. A mycorrhizal fungus, it grows in a symbiotic association with Douglas fir. It overlaps in distribution with the closely related T. gibbosum, but they have different growing seasons: T. oregonense typically appears from October through March, while T. gibbosum grows from January to June. The fruit bodies of the fungus are roughly spherical to irregular in shape, and resemble small potatoes up to 5 cm (2 in) in diameter. Inside the truffle is the gleba, which is initially white before it becomes a marbled tan color. The large, often thick-walled, and strongly ornamented spores are produced in large spherical asci. The truffle is highly prized for its taste and aroma. Some individuals have claimed success in cultivating the truffles in Christmas tree farms.

<i>Tuber melanosporum</i> Black truffle

Tuber melanosporum, called the black truffle,Périgord truffle or French black truffle, is a species of truffle native to Southern Europe. It is one of the most expensive edible fungi in the world. In 2013, the truffle cost between 1,000 and 2,000 euros per kilogram.

Borrelia tanukii is a spirochete bacterium first isolated from specimens of Ixodes tanuki, hence its name.

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<i>Tuber macrosporum</i> Species of fungus

Tuber macrosporum, commonly known as the smooth black truffle, is a species of edible truffle in the family Tuberaceae. Found in Europe, and common in central Italy, the truffle was described as new to science by Italian mycologist Carlo Vittadini in 1831. The truffles are roughly spherical to irregular in shape, and typically measure 0.5 to 2 centimetres in diameter. The surface color ranges from reddish brown to rust to blackish. Warts on the fruit body surface are low, so that the truffle appears fairly smooth. The truffle flesh is purplish brown to grey-brown with thin white veins. It has an intense garlic-like odor similar to the Italian white truffle. Host plants of T. macrosporum include poplars, hazel, linden, and oaks.

Trichoderma theobromicola is a species of endophytic fungus in the family Hypocreaceae. It was first isolated from the trunk of a healthy cacao tree in Amazonian Peru. It produces a volatile antibiotic that inhibits development of M. roreri.

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<i>Tuber borchii</i> Species of fungi

Tuber borchii, known as the whitish truffle or bianchetto truffle, is a small, common species of edible truffle excellent for use in cuisine.

Myroides profundi is a Gram-negative, aerobic and non-motile bacterium from the genus of Myroides which has been isolated from deep-sea sediments from the southern Okinawa Trough.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Hall et al., 106-110
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Hall et al., 61-63
  3. Paolocci et al.
  4. As recommended by Hall et al., 63.

Footnotes