Coldiretti Abruzzo, white truffle production decrease, price rises to 350 euros per pound. Among the products penalized by the great summer drought there is also the truffle, which in Abruzzo will record a drastic drop in annual production with the consequent increase in prices. The white truffle is quoted in these days, in the first weeks of collection, on values also of 3500 euros per kilo.
But it should not be otherwise for the more “cheap” black truffle (“uncinate” variety), which reaches prices of 400 euros per kilo determined by a very hot summer and virtually no rainfall.
For Coldiretti Abruzzo, which in some areas estimates a decline in production of even 90%, it is a blow to a niche sector that in any case involves over 7 thousand quarryers for at least 200 quintals of truffles (estimates certainly downward, especially considering that in the last few years many truffle plants have arisen because of the excellent market prospects) on a territory that for 35% has characteristics suitable for the precious black, for 27% to the white one, present spontaneously between 500 and 900 meters altitude; .
“Although the rainfall is hoped for in the coming weeks, the climatic conditions have not been favorable because the Tuber magnatum Pico (white) – underlines Coldiretti – develops in soils that must remain fresh and humid germination stages than in the maturation phase.
With the autumn – explains Coldiretti – the exhibitions, festivals and events dedicated to truffles are multiplied throughout the boot, involving around 200,000 official collectors who supply shops and restaurants in Italy, for a business estimated at around half a billion euros , between fresh and processed. These are events that are an excellent opportunity to buy or taste it in the best conditions and at the most affordable prices but also to defend against the risk of deception with the sale of low cost imports passed for Italian.
For this reason, Coldiretti invites you to check the indication of the place of harvest or cultivation, of the origin on the label or on special labels that must be reported mandatory this year after the clarifications provided to the Coldiretti question in the official response of the European Commission – underlines Coldiretti – has clarified that the compulsory indications must be present on the documents that accompany the product at all stages of marketing and that the indication of the country of origin is always mandatory for all fresh fruit and vegetables, even if exempted from compliance of the general marketing standard, such as truffles and wild mushrooms.
In Abruzzo, but also in Piedmont and in the Marches, in Tuscany and in Umbria up to Calabria, passing through Lazio and Molise, there are numerous territories wrought by researchers. The search for truffles already practiced by the Sumerians – reports Coldiretti – plays an economic role in supporting the internal wooded areas where it represents an important income integration for the local communities, with positive effects on the tourist flows as shown by the numerous occasions of celebration organized in his honor.
The truffle – reports Coldiretti – is a fungus that lives underground and consists of a large percentage of water and mineral salts absorbed by the soil through the roots of the tree with which it lives in symbiosis. Born and developed near the roots of trees such as pine, holm oak, cork oak and oak – explains Coldiretti – the truffle, owes its characteristics (color, taste and scent) precisely from the type of tree it was developed . The shape, on the other hand, depends on the type of soil: if soft, the truffle will appear smoother, if compact, it will become gnarled and lumpy due to the difficulty of making space.
Truffles are known for their strong aphrodisiac power and in the kitchen – concludes Coldiretti – the black truffle is mostly used in cooking or for stuffing but also raw, cut into slices and put on fresh pasta dishes. White, on the other hand, must be rigorously tasted raw on well-known foods such as fondue, tajarin with butter and risotto.
As for the wines, the white truffle requires great red wines, black, instead it also admits white wines.
Source: www.corrierepeligno.it