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Truffles are rare in the Moscow region, and the search for these mushrooms is complicated by the fact that they grow underground. That is why in the old days they were often looked for with the help of dogs trained for the truffle smell. Although even now some mushroom pickers use animals for searching.
In addition to the Moscow region, various types of truffles grow in Russia in the Caucasus, in the Crimea and on the Black Sea coast.
Are there truffles in the Moscow region
There are truffles in the Moscow region, but it is very rare to find them. There are many species of this mushroom, however, only three grow on the territory of the Moscow region: summer (also black Russian), white and Dyuronsky.
Black truffle (Latin Tuber aestivum) or scorzone is an irregularly shaped mushroom with a rough warty surface. Its sizes range from 3 to 9 cm in diameter. The flesh of young specimens is rather dense, yellowish-white, but in adult mushrooms it becomes loose and brown with many whitish veins.
White truffle (Latin Choiromyces meandriformis) or Trinity truffle is the most widespread variety in Russia. However, it has no special value, unlike real truffles. In the old days, this mushroom was also called Polish.
The fruit body of this species is white, mealy. The surface of mature mushrooms gradually takes on a marbled appearance with pronounced dark veins. The color of the ripe fruit bodies is yellowish-brown.
This is a rather large species, it can reach 6-8 cm in diameter, and the mushroom weighs about 350-400 g. Its shape is tuberous, slightly flattened. The pulp is elastic, light, somewhat reminiscent of potato. It tastes like walnuts or deep-fried seeds.
Another species that can be found in the Moscow region is the white Duronsky (lat.Tuber excavatum). It is found throughout the entire European part of Russia. The size of the mushroom does not exceed 4 cm, it weighs about 65-80 g. The aroma of this variety is very pleasant, sweetish-spicy. Medium density pulp. The surface of the fruiting body is ocher-flesh-colored.
A photo of the white Duron truffle found in the Moscow region is presented below.
When does truffle season begin in Moscow
The start of collection may differ for each species. On average, the height of the truffle season is in September, sometimes it can shift to a later date. There are also practically empty seasons when there are almost no mushrooms.
The specific timing of the collection in the Moscow region looks like this:
- the black summer truffle bears fruit from mid-June to late September;
- Trinity truffle in the Moscow region is harvested from August to November;
- the white Duron truffle bears fruit actively in September-November.
Where truffles grow in the Moscow region
On the map of mushroom places in the Moscow region, truffles are not marked, since they are extremely rare. In the old days, truffle fishing was carried out in the north and south of the Moscow region.
White truffle is the most unpretentious subspecies. It can grow on sandy and clayey soils of both deciduous and coniferous forests. This variety forms mycorrhiza with oak, aspen, birch, linden and mountain ash, and groups of mushrooms are also found under hawthorn and hazel.
Black truffles are sought after in deciduous and mixed forests. In the Moscow region, it grows under oak and beech trees, and it can also be found next to hazel. The preferred soil type is calcareous.
Duron White Truffle is able to enter into an alliance with many conifers and deciduous trees. Most often these are oaks, pines, larch and birch.
How to find a truffle in the Moscow region
It is very difficult to find a truffle near Moscow, not only because of its low prevalence. The fact is that it grows underground, and only sometimes the top of the mushroom peeps out from under it. Therefore, people are guided by additional signs of mushroom sites. For example, very often midges hover over the truffle point. In particular, the smell of the mushroom attracts red flies.
In addition, the places where truffles accumulate sometimes give out small bumps on the soil surface, which are covered with small cracks. It is better to look for mushrooms in clear glades and on forest edges.
How to collect truffles in the Moscow region
It is almost impossible to find this mushroom in the Moscow region on its own. Mushroom pickers usually stumble upon it by accident. A targeted search for mushrooms is best done with the help of pigs or trained dogs.
Pigs (males) are able to smell the truffle smell tens of meters away and do not need special training, but it is risky to use them - as soon as a pig finds a mushroom spot, it can quickly eat the find. To prevent this from happening, the animals are muzzled.
Dogs, on the other hand, are better at capturing the female's truffle odor. The advantage of using dogs is that they do not eat the find, however, their training is time-consuming, and such animals are very expensive.
For more information on how to collect truffles in the Moscow region, see the video below:
Conclusion
Truffles in the Moscow region are very difficult to find - the fruit bodies are hidden underground, so it is better to take specially trained dogs with you to search. Unlike pigs, they are not interested in the find from a gastronomic point of view, so there is no risk of losing the harvest.
Since the search for truffle places in this area is extremely difficult, it is much easier to grow a valuable species on your own - the climate of the Moscow region allows this. The cultivation process is laborious, and the harvest is very small, but even so it is more profitable than long wanderings in the forest.
