It’s time for truffles

The truffle, the famous “rabasse” (in Provençal) is found from mid-november to mid-march, especially every Saturday morning on the truffle market of Richerenches, the largest in Europe. An unbelievable fragrance escapes from the burlap bags. We can say that the harvest is good, the summer rains brought just enough water for this black diamond of gastronomy to be ripe enough. In the plates of the restaurants, the fluffy omelets will delight your palate! As for the dog Lili, follow her in the truffle patch with her master and you will understand that it is a real job to “cave” as we use to say here.

Throughout the winter, many festivities celebrate this precious mushroom:  « Ban des Truffes » in mid-November, Richerenches truffle market, Saint-Antoine Mass called “Messe des Truffes”, « Les Rencontres du Livre, de la Truffe et du Vin » in Grignan and surrounding villages, « Les Amoureux du Goût » in Richerenches.

Good to know: the 3 varieties of truffles present here

The black truffle: Tuber melanosporum

Other denominations: melano, rabasse, called “Truffle of Perigord”. It is the most famous of all the species harvested in France, the one that the merchants flatter, the one that the gourmets love, the one that Brillat-Savarin called “the black diamond of French cuisine”.

Brum truffle: Tuber brumale

Other denominations: the brumale, the musky. After the melano, it remains the most collected species in Rhône-Alpes. Generally smaller in size, she can be confused with her prestigious sisters. Its more musky aromas surprise sometimes but it has excellent culinary virtues. In particular, it can stand slightly a longer cooking time.

The summer truffle: Tuber aestivum

Other denominations: white truffle, Saint John truffle, maïenque. This is the first truffle that can be harvested from May to the end of August. Often reaching the size of a beautiful apricot, it develops at maturity very fine aromas but extremely volatile. As a result, it is generally eaten raw, for example truffle butter.

Truffle hunting demonstration

“Caver”, “cavage” , “rabasse”, “rabassaire”, Tuber Melanosporum, Tuber Aestivum, brumale, etc … so many words that provoke questioning. To learn more about how the truffle is grown, come meet our truffle growers during a truffle hunting.

If you want to discover our territory around the theme of Truffle, treat yourself or one of your loved ones with the gift box “Délices de Truffe”.