Truffles

Truffles... our black diamond.

It's true, truffles are not only found in France, but not only in Sarlat and the Périgord.

Black or white truffles, we all love them... But do you really know what this coveted nugget is?

First of all, the truffle is nothing other than the product of a mushroom. You'll find it most often under the name of black truffle or Périgord truffle, and more occasionally with "Rabasse" and, for connoisseurs, "melanosporum truffle".

How do truffles grow?

The truffle is inextricably linked to the tree in which it grows. It is called a "feeder tree" because the fungus feeds on small filaments connected to the tree's roots. Truffles can be found under oak, hazelnut, lime and hornbeam trees.

In all cases, truffles grow only in chalky soil, at a depth of 1 to 15 cm. They begin to develop in the spring, then grow from mid-August onwards. Cavage can then begin: the truffle is harvested using a truffle dog, a pig or, in most cases, flies. Around Brive, truffles are harvested in the Yssandonnais (a limestone plateau at an altitude of 300 metres) and on the Causse Corrézien.

Truffle hunting is open from early December to late February.

Choosing the right truffles:

Truffles should have a pleasant fragrance. They should be neither too soft nor too dry. You can check its colour by cutting it slightly. If you see fine white veins, you've hit the jackpot! If you don't, the truffle has frozen, lost water and the veins have disappeared.

Where can you find/buy truffles?

The most patient will go into the woods in search of a truffle tree, while the others have several markets and fairs to choose from.
The Cuzance truffle fair and the Lalbenque truffle market are the main ones, but there are also a number of events much closer to home, such as the Chartrier Ferrière truffle market, which takes place in early February, and the controlled truffle market in Brive la Gaillarde every Saturday during the Foires Grasses period (Halle Georges Brassens). You can also find truffles in finished products at the Comptoir de Clément in the Halle Gaillarde in Brive (truffle ham and other specialities will delight the most demanding gourmets)!

Now we come to the burning question...

How much do truffles cost?

They can be found at around €1,000 per kg. Beware of scams: if you see relatively low prices, ask where they come from.

There is a more affordable variety of truffle: the summer truffle. It is harvested from April to early August. It is less fragrant than its cousin the black truffle, which also explains its lower price: around €300 per kilo.

Want to find out more?

Visit the truffle farm in Cuzance. Delphine Vigne will be delighted to welcome you to her truffle farm. You'll be given a demonstration of truffle digging with Rosabelle, their truffle dog. The visit ends with a tasting session. Pouzols 46600 CUZANCE. Further information: 05 65 37 82 57 and 06 89 97 84 39