Identification
A black warty tuber underground; inside — marbled brown flesh with a nutty aroma. Found by trained dogs or by soil disturbance signs.
Edibility
A prized edible; aroma weaker than the winter truffle but valued. Note: most commercial "truffle oil" is synthetic 2,4-dithiapentane — no real truffles involved.
In practice
- In Russia, occasional in southern regions; the hunt is specialized.