Black Oak

Introducing the Black Truffle

Black truffle farming ( aka – Black Perigord Truffle or Tuber Melanosporum ) is the most economically rewarding type of farming that exists. Black truffle farming is still in its infancy in many aspects and is considered snake oil by many. Some years ago, it received a bad reputation for being a scam. But, thanks to the collaboration between scientists and successful black truffle farmers, this once dodgy venture has has become a very lucrative way to farm. It also has the added advantage that once you establish your black truffle farm and plant your trees, it is a low maintenance type of farming.

In the province of Huesca, Spain, many hectares of land are dedicated to farming the black truffle. Black truffle farms are mainly established with the holm oak. The downy oak and the hazel nut tree are also used to a lesser extent. The downy oak prefers a more humid environment, while the hazel nut tree doesn’t do well in dry conditions. Another problem with the hazel nut tree is that it is easily cross contaminated with other undesirable types of lesser quality truffle. So, the hazel nut tree has been slowly phased out of black truffle farms in Spain, even thou it is still used in other parts of the world.

Truffles grow on the roots of the above mentioned trees in something that is called symbiosis. In simple terms, that means that they basically grow in harmony with each other. The black truffle ports certain nutrients directly to the root system of the host tree and in exchange for this favor, the tree gives the black truffle a place to live, grow and propagate. The black truffle usually grows just under the surface of the soil to a depth of about 30 cm ( about 10 inches ).

Black truffle farms have been established in Tasmania, New Zealand, Australian, S. America and the USA. There has been a certain degree of success with these farms. You have to remember that the black truffle was not native to these habits or areas of the world. But, with enough planning and management, you can prepare your land to be suitable for a successful black truffle farm. If you dont live in a part of the world where a black truffle farm is not feasible for whatever reason, there are other types of truffles that can be grown successfully. Even thou they might be of lesser commercial value, they are still well worth the effort.

The black truffle / holm oak prefers a rocky, marginal type of soil; low clay content, well decomposed organic matter and well draining.  High ph between 7.0 – 8.5. The black truffle is found in the wild between the latitudes 40 N to 47 N. That basically corresponds to Valencia, Spain to about Paris, France. It is mostly found in Spain, France and Italy. They are also found to a lesser degree in Hungary and the ex Yugoslavia region. The decline of the truffles found in the wild has given a boost to the advancements in this type of farming, making it very profitable. Yearly demand still far surpasses the supply of this exquisite tuber.

The black truffle is considered a gourmet food item, fetching high prices when they are in season. You normally add the thinly sliced black truffle to the food right before it is served. The heat of the cooked food is enough to bring out all the flavors that the black truffle offers.

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