Sunday 3rd June. First truffle with a nice medium aroma this season. A questionable surface truffle reveals a nice, properly ripe interior.
Like the few scented truffles earlier in the season, damage has likely been a factor in triggering this truffle to mature. 3 weeks ago I removed two other truffles from the same tree which had a light aroma, with the initial ripening process clearly commenced, yet unable to complete. They were suitable for infusing some eggs and a few vodka shots.
The truffles on this tree have formed a bulge in the soil about the size of half a netball. Therefore they are more exposed to nightly chill as the raised soil cools rapidly.
With a few light slices (~10grams) to
see past the damaged tissue on the top it can be seen this truffle has a clearly soft, overripe portion (lower middle), a few cracks where some insect attack has occured and a healed slater attack area (bottom left). It is probable the insect attack in the cracks contributed to triggering the early ripening of this truffle.
With a further 21grams removed, 61grams of nice truffle is revealed. The damage did not extend very far beneath the surface. The cut surface is emitting a nice clean aroma, with top and middle notes, as well as the “solvent” characteristics of a properly ripe truffle. The overall intensity is not up to the level of a mid-season truffle, but it does deserve being called a ripe truffle. The entirety has the proper slight give when pressed lightly.
The reverse side also shows quite a few cracks. I don’t yet know the cause of the cracks for certain, but its likely excess drying of soil on near surface truffles, followed by last burst of growth/rainfall, akin to rain damaged cherries.
Overall it only qualifies as a low grade piece by mid season standards, but judging by nose and feel, it is indeed the first ripened truffle of the season.
It is suitable as a talking point about truffles, but I’ll eat it myself, and sales can wait for better quality.