FARM BLOG: SOUTH DOWNS TRUFFLES
There are many ‘downs folk’ that will see this post and be less than pleased that I am letting people into one of the great secrets of this part of the world.
Warning, before reading any further… you’ll likely need a trained dog, lots of patience and some trial and error if you want to be shaving some of your own south downs truffles over your risotto or past.
The Hazel, beech and oak woodlands that coat the South downs offer us the perfect hunting grounds for our favourite Summer truffle (Tuber aestivum). The two main factors make this such a special place for truffles is the calcareous (chalky) soil and the species of native trees. For truffle mycelia (the network of fine strands found in undisturbed soils that connect everything together) Oak, Beech and Hazel are the favored species of tree for it to forms a symbiotic relationship with. These truffles then act as an aid, drawing nitrogen from the free draining soils and fixing them to the root. This is why you will often find a good volume of truffles in a young plantation, or an old woodland with good regeneration. It is because of this that they are alleopathic, meaning that they chemically inhibit vegetation growth around them, which when near the surface can leave ‘Burnt /brûlée’ rings around the surface.
Now we know how and where to find them… What do we do with them?
Truffles are as much aroma as they are taste and preserving this through dishes is essential. Increasing the surface area of the dense Tuber further exaggerates this amazing smell, which is why using a mandeline to finely slice them is the best thing to do. These tuber also look most of their flavor when cooked, which is why it is often best shaved fresh over some scrambled eggs, pasta dishes and they go amazingly with wild mushrooms.
To preserve them a good olive oil or if they are going to be used within a few weeks, keep then in a paper towel in the fridge, replenishing the paper every few days.
Please do get in touch if you would like any of our amazing truffles and keep an eye on our socials for some videos of the dogs at work!