Let Spain be one The power of black truffles This is not a simple causality. The countryside and science have been working for years to turn this valuable mushroom, considered a gastronomic treasure, into a particularly profitable product. the land in the middle of the mountains, where there are few productive alternatives. Collected in Catalonia one third of fresh truffle Considering that the whole of Spain exports, more than 600 hectares of land were devoted to it in 2022; the majority were located in Lleida (455) but also in the hinterlands of Barcelona and Tarragona. Explosion created by truffle mushroom Spain is the world’s leading producerIt replaced France and was far ahead of Italy.
They gathered here last year More than 100 tons of black truffles grown60% of the world total. “If the cultivation of this crop is encouraged, it is, among other reasons, There was a decline in the wild Progress has been made recently, because there is less rain and, above all, the forests are now less tended and denser… And this is not in the truffle’s favor. needs clean areas to improve,” explains researcher Daniel Oliach Catalonia Forest Science and Technology Center (CTFC) and specializes in this fruit.
According to the data of the Minister of Trade, production regions in 2022 more than 25 million euros in the export of cultured black truffles. Spain’s six main truffle-exporting provinces (Teruel, Lleida, Huesca, Valencia, Soria and Tarragona) and the companies located there, 95% of the total truffles invoiced abroad. Major consumers of Spanish truffles France and Italywhere there are towns where weekly markets are held where there is a common product and some where there is only one product.
We produce but do not consume
Black truffle cultivation is an income-generating business, according to sources in the industry. There are between 5,000 and 7,000 jobs in Spain. “What happens is that although we are a country that produces a lot of good truffles, We are not a consumer country “probably due to a problem with culinary tradition and the target we have given to this is exports,” Oliach continues, adding that one of the most important aspects of the plan prepared by the Generalitat is Development of the sector in Catalonia This happens precisely through the dynamization of consumption.
And how can you achieve this with some of them? prices are so high like the ones on truffles in the market? “It is true that a kilo of truffles costs around 200 euros, but you must also remember that when you go to buy you will never buy a kilo of black truffles, at most purchased about 40 grams“Observes the CTFC researcher. He also adds: “Ham also has a barrier “It’s a matter of working so that the consumer knows the product, knows how to incorporate it into their recipes, and values it,” the technician insists.
This black fungus is the size of a golf ball and Now collected in winter It is a gastronomic delicacy that, with a light touch, enhances the flavor of culinary preparations, from a simple fried egg to the most sophisticated haute cuisine dish, as cold intensifies its flavor and aroma. “And in Catalonia we have excellent chefs who can prescribe to popularize the consumption of truffles,” Oliach underlines.
Vic Trufforum
Vic’s relationship with truffles is historic. “City market mark the price of black truffle for all of Spain and since historical times saturday market “There has always been a truffle sales stand,” emphasizes mayor Albert Castells. A week ago, the capital of Osona was the showcase of the world of Catalan truffle production. TrufforumVic hallIt has hosted technical conferences, an international conference on cultivation, demonstrations of truffle hunting dogs and competitions for young chefs. There was also space for tasting dishes prepared by top chefs (such as Nandu Jubany or Martina Puigvert, one of the most involved in the initiative).
During the three days of the fair, 35 kilos of selected fresh truffles were sold and consumed at the El Sucre venue and 3,000 tastings were made. At the show, chef Joan Roca was declared Truffle Ambassador and the Tòfona d’Or award was presented to Anna Erra, president of the Parliament of Catalonia and former mayor of the city.