What Is a Truffle? One Article Explains the Six Major Differences Between Truffles and Matsutake Mushrooms

The truffle, also known as earth fungus or block truffle, is an annual fungus that grows under pine, oak and holm oak trees. Because its growing conditions are demanding and it cannot be cultivated artificially, its yield is very small and it is extremely precious. So what is a truffle? And how does it differ from matsutake?

1. What is a truffle?

1. The truffle is an annual fungus of the order Pezizales, family Tuberaceae, class Pezizomycetes, genus Tuber. Its appearance is rather unusual: some are as small as a peanut, while others are as large as a handball, so people who are unfamiliar with it can hardly identify it, though it can be distinguished by its outward appearance. The truffle fruiting body is block-shaped; when young its interior is white, and when mature it is deep black, with lighter marble-like markings on the surface. The hymenium and peridium are brown or brownish spherical to oval, and the surface may reflect a red luster, with a groove at the top. When mature it gives off a dried-fruit aroma. It generally grows for one year and matures from December to March of the following year; once it becomes very ripe it rots and disintegrates.

2. The truffle is an edible mushroom, divided into several types: Italian white truffle or Alba truffle, black winter truffle or Perigord truffle, black summer truffle, and Oregon white truffle. Among these, the black winter truffle or Perigord truffle and the black summer truffle are cultivated in Yongren County, Yunnan, China, while the rest are mostly distributed in France, Italy, Piedmont and other places. Because the growing conditions are demanding, they are rarely seen in China, and many people have only heard of them but never seen them.

3. The truffle is an edible mushroom with high nutritional value, containing rich protein, amino acids, vitamins and various mineral elements. It has the effects of regulating the endocrine system, enhancing immunity and delaying aging, and regular consumption can effectively prevent diseases such as arterial cirrhosis and Alzheimer's disease. In particular, regular consumption by women can improve premenstrual syndrome, menstrual disorders and menopausal syndrome, while for men it can improve symptoms such as insufficient energy, backache, and frequent and urgent urination.

2. What are the differences between truffles and matsutake mushrooms?

Difference 1, different family and genus: The truffle is an annual fungus of the phylum Ascomycota, subphylum Pezizomycotina, class Pezizomycetes, subclass Pezizomycetidae, order Pezizales, family Tuberaceae, genus Tuber; the matsutake is a fungus of the phylum Basidiomycota, class Basidiomycetes, order Agaricales, family Tricholomataceae, genus Tricholoma.

Difference 2, different appearance: The truffle fruiting body is block-like, overall deep black, with a discolored interior in its young stage and deep black when mature, with lighter marble-like veins on the surface; overall it looks as small as a peanut or as large as a fist. The matsutake is umbrella-shaped, with a brown cap and a white stalk, both covered with fibrous downy scales, and white flesh, giving off a special aroma.

Difference 3, different origins: Truffles are mostly produced in France, Italy, Piedmont and other places, and are also cultivated in Yunnan and Sichuan in China, but the cultivated amount is very small. Matsutake is cultivated in various places, but is mainly produced in Shangri-La, Chuxiong and Yanbian and other areas, with Shangri-La in Yunnan producing the most, accounting for 70% of the national total output.

Difference 4, different ways of eating: Truffles are mostly eaten paired with cheese, and even when cooked, they mostly exist in dishes as a side ingredient. Matsutake is mostly used for making soup, pan-frying or roasting, and mostly appears on the table as a main dish.

Difference 5, different effects: The truffle has the effects of regulating the endocrine system, enhancing immunity and delaying aging; regular consumption can effectively prevent diseases such as arterial cirrhosis and Alzheimer's disease; regular consumption by women can improve some gynecological diseases, and regular consumption by men can improve some andrological diseases. The matsutake has the effects of resolving phlegm and tonifying the kidneys, and can treat conditions such as backache, nausea and vomiting, and dizziness.

Difference 6, different prices: Truffles are relatively rare and expensive, and are mostly produced abroad, so their selling price is very high, generally around 300 to 600 yuan per jin in Yunnan, Sichuan and other places; in the United States, a jin starts at at least 500 US dollars. Matsutake is also expensive: in the early growth stage, a jin can sell for around 1,600 to 2,200 yuan, and in the middle growth stage, the price is around 800 to 1,200 yuan.

The above is a detailed introduction to what a truffle is and the differences between it and matsutake, and we hope it is helpful to everyone.