The Tuber melanosporum or “prized black truffle of Norcia or Spoleto”, known by locals simply by the name “the good truffle”, perhaps to distinguish it from the less prestigious “scorzone” summer truffle (Tuber Aestivum), is an underground fruit that belongs to the family of tubers. Although there is no specific harvesting method, the most commonly used system involves the use of a dog, which are often trained at special schools. The dog is able to identify the truffle’s exact position only when it is ripe. At this point the truffle hunter comes into play. After rewarding the dog with a tasty treat he begins extracting this precious tuber from the ground.
Description
Its peridium or outside peel is black and rough with minute, polygon-shaped bumps while its gleba or inner pulp is purplish when ripe with thin, white veins. It gives off a delicate, extremely pleasant aroma.
Native area
Towns of: Norcia, Cascia, Preci, Monteleone di Spoleto, Poggiodomo, Scheggino, Sant’Anatolia di Narco, Vallo di Nera, Cerreto di Spoleto, Sellano, Spoleto, Campello sul Clitunno, Castel Ritaldi, Giano dell’Umbria and Stroncone.
