Identification
The primary truffle found under pecan trees isTuber lyonii(=T. texense), although as just discussed there are other similar species currently being described. This is the same genus, but different species, as the very expensive white or black truffles found in Europe. It has been found under pecans in Georgia, Florida, Texas, and New Mexico, but this truffle has been found on other tree species across eastern North America from Mexico to Canada. We have found it in association with oaks or other members of the fa*gales. The color of individual specimens varies from light to dark brown. These truffles have a range of sizes, from the diameter of a buckshot up to the size of a golf ball (occasionally larger). Some will be round but most will have lobes and irregularities. The interior will be very firm, lighter in color, and have a conspicuously “marbled” appearance with alternating streaks of brown and white. They will also have a very strong earthy aroma.
Truffle Hunting
They are usually found in well-irrigated orchards, although not always, and have been found around solitary volunteer pecan trees in fence rows and other odd locations. They tend to be in more crowded, shaded sections of the orchard. We have found them on numerous varieties of pecans, but since pecans are grafted, most have very similar root stocks. Based on the orchards where they were originally found, we assumed they preferred heavier clay soils. However, in more recent years we have found them in abundance in some orchards with a much lighter, sandier soil (including the flat woods soils of the eastern coastal plain). Our recent studies have shown these truffles to be favored by higher soil pH, just as many other species of Tuber are. The fungus grows in a mycorrhizal relationship with the pecan tree roots. Although they obtain some nutrition from the tree, they also help the tree get needed minerals from the soil and are therefore beneficial to the tree (a true win-win situation). The truffles themselves will be found unattached in the top inch or two of soil, although they are connected to the tree via very thin hyphae that are not visible. They may be adjacent to the trunk or anywhere out to about the drip line of the tree. Areas devoid of vegetation such as herbicide strips in managed orchards are easier to search. They will sometimes protrude slightly from the soil surface and require no digging. We have found truffles by simply returning to areas known to produce them and raking the surface of the soil with a stiff-tined garden rake. Of course, a trained dog or pig would help since they are not usually visible above ground! (Note: pigs are not used in south Georgia for truffle hunting, but the abundance of wild hogs in the area are obviously attracted to truffles based on the rooting evident in many orchards with truffles.) Truffles can be seen sometimes following pecan harvest where the sweepers have swept the soil surface, and they can even be found among the harvested pecans.
Guidelines for Eating
These truffles are certainly considered edible, but as with any wild mushroom it is an “eat at your own risk” situation. Specimens should be fresh and have a firm texture. Avoid older, darkened specimens, especially if they are noticeably softer than usual. Truffles from managed pecan orchards that have been sprayed regularly may have low levels of pesticide residue. This would be mitigated to some degree by the fact that they grow underground. Also, the small quantities consumed would reduce the potential risk, but this has not been thoroughly evaluated.
There are also other fungi that can be mistaken for truffles. Puffballs are the most common. Features that distinguish them from truffles include the fact that they usually are uniformly round or pear-shaped and grow above ground. They also are often white and will have a sterile base or stalk. Fortunately puffballs are generally edible also, except for the genus Scleroderma which will be purple when cut open.
Potentially the most serious case of mistaken identity would be to consume a mushroom “button” (ie. small, unexpanded mushroom) from a highly poisonous species such asAmanita. Slicing the specimen in half will reveal the stalk and cap instead of the uniformly marbled interior of a truffle.
As with any fungus, it is important to know what you are eating as some species are highly toxic. If you would like assistance in identifying truffles, images can be submitted electronically toarachis@uga.edu,or samples can be mailed to the following address:
Dr. Tim Brenneman
Dept. of Plant Pathology
University of Georgia, Tifton Campus
115 Coastal Way
Tifton, GA 31793
FAQs
The color of individual specimens varies from light to dark brown. These truffles have a range of sizes, from the diameter of a buckshot up to the size of a golf ball (occasionally larger). Some will be round but most will have lobes and irregularities.
How much are pecan truffles worth per pound? ›
Valued at $160–320 per pound, pecan truffles are candidates for commercial production but have been neglected due to a lack of information about overall biology and production practices (Smith et al., 2012).
What trees do pecan truffles grow on? ›
One such truffle is called the pecan truffle (scientific name: Tuber lyonii, earlier known as Tuber texense) because it frequently grows in association with the roots of both native and cultivated pecan (Carya illinoinensis) trees.
What is the range of pecan truffles? ›
These truffles can be found in the wild, but because they are common in commercial pecan orchards they are often referred to as "pecan truffles." Pecan truffles are distributed throughout the southern and eastern United States from New Mexico to Florida and have been found as far north as Québec and as far south as ...
Can you eat pecan truffles? ›
However, the pecan is not its only symbiote. Formerly considered nothing more than a nuisance by pecan farmers, the pecan truffle has been gaining in popularity as an edible mushroom in recent years and can fetch over $160 per pound at market.
How much would a 2 pound truffle cost? ›
On average, a white truffle, when in season, can cost anywhere from $150 to $1,000 per ounce or $2,400 to $6,000+ per pound.
Why is truffle so expensive? ›
The reason behind such high costs is the scarcity of the produce, truffles are seasonal, extremely difficult to grow, and take many years to cultivate. They also have a short shelf life. Truffles require a very specific climate to grow and require lots of oak trees, that's why they're often found in woodland.
What does a pecan truffle taste like? ›
The pecan truffle is desirable because it has a distinct flavor (nutty and earthy) and is currently more affordable than most imported truffle species (i.e., $10–$20 versus $69–$225 per ounce).
What state has the best truffles? ›
Most truffle cultivation in the United States happens around Oregon (known for the Oregon Black Truffle) and the rest of the Pacific Northwest. Typically, black truffles are most commonly grated and used as toppings on lux dishes or as ingredients in sauces.
How to harvest pecan truffles? ›
We have found truffles by simply returning to areas known to produce them and raking the surface of the soil with a stiff-tined garden rake. Of course, a trained dog or pig would help since they are not usually visible above ground!
Truffles are rich in antioxidants like polyphenols and flavonoids, which can help neutralise harmful free radicals in the body. Regularly consuming truffles can help reduce inflammation throughout your body while lowering the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
What color are truffle spores in pecans? ›
Microscopic Features: Spores 28–32 x 15–18 µm excluding ornamentation; ellipsoid; densely spiny with spines 1–3 µm long; also reticulate with low connecting lines; thick-walled; yellowish-brownish in KOH.
How to find pecan truffles in Georgia? ›
Fully underground or protruding slightly from the soil, pecan truffles have evaded foragers for decades. Although they grow on the roots of wild and commercial trees alike, the tawny knobs are easiest to find in orchards, where neatly maintained grounds help diggers spot them and dogs nose them out.
How much should I charge for truffles? ›
Truffle Prices in 2021 (Retail)
Truffle Species | Common Name | Avg price per lb |
---|
Tuber Mangnatum | Italian White Truffle | $1581.67 |
Tuber Melanosporum | Winter Black Truffle | $327.84 |
Tuber Uncinatum | Burgundy Black Truffle | $398.88 |
Tuber Aestivum | Summer Black Truffle | $361.12 |
1 more rowApr 18, 2021
How much can I sell truffles for? ›
Prices for fresh truffles can range anywhere from US$5 to US$300 per ounce throughout the year, depending on the type and availability. Truffles are costly because they are highly seasonal and notoriously difficult to grow, requiring very specific habitat – habitats that are currently being affected by climate change.
What is truffles worth today? ›
Hey 👋 White truffles are highly sought after and their market value can vary depending on factors like quality, availability, and demand. As of my last available information, the current market value of white truffles can range from around $2,000 to $4,000 per pound.
What is the most expensive truffle? ›
The most expensive truffle ever sold is the Tuber magnatum Pico, commonly known as the white truffle. Specifically, the record belongs to a giant white truffle that weighed 3.3 pounds (or about 1.5 kilograms).