Tuber melanosporum

Morphological Features:

Fruiting body globose when the found specimen is young and of small dimensions, then enlarges irregularly, eventually becoming somewhat amorphous. The average size of a mature fruiting body is 4 to 5 cm in diameter, though specimens up to 10 cm are occasionally found. At emergence it is dark reddish-brown, but quickly adopts a very characteristic and striking black color.

Peridium black, covered with wart-like protuberances separated by grooves at their bases.

Gleba initially pale in color, later becoming dark brownish-black, traversed throughout its internal tissue by easily visible whitish veins, compact.

Flesh tender internally, yet compact and solid, with a highly pleasant flavor and a very intense, characteristic aroma detectable from several meters away, which is also highly agreeable.

Habitat:

In some areas of the Iberian Peninsula, it is only found cultivated in mycorrhizal association with Quercus. It is a hypogeous fungus, which nevertheless does occur wild under holm oaks and cork oaks in other regions. Its harvesting season is winter and early spring.

Observations:

Choice edible, it is also one of the most highly prized, with prices around €700/kg. The aroma emitted by these truffles is incomparable to that of any other fungus. It may be confused with Tuber brumale, which is smaller and more veined, with a less intense aroma, and with Tuber aestivum, which fruits in summer.