Kalaharituber is a fungal genus in the family Pezizaceae. It is a monotypic genus, whose single truffle-like species, K. pfeilii, is found in the Kalahari Desert, which spans the larger part of Botswana, the east of Namibia and the Northern Cape Province of South Africa .
How to find Kalahari truffles?
Truffles are hunted in the Kalahari by men and women ; they look for cracks in the soil, often humped, caused by expansion of the truffles, which are then extracted with hands or digging sticks. The truffles are eaten raw or cooked (boiled, roasted over fire, or buried in hot ashes).
What does Kalahari truffle taste like?
A rare delicacy, Kalahari, or desert, truffles (Terfezia pfeilii) have a flavour somewhere between corn and asparagus with a light mushroom perfume .
What is Kalahari truffle?
Kalahari truffles, Terfezia pfeilii, are distantly related to French black truffles , but they are not as aromatic. Unlike the black French truffle, with its hard, knobby outer layer, Kalahari truffles have a smooth brown skin like a small round potato.
Where to find truffles in Namibia?
Foraged in the Kalahari Desert and in the northern regions of Namibia during the rainy season , truffles—dubbed the ‘Kalahari truffles’ or traditionally known as ‘omatumbura’ or ‘mavhumbura’—are nutritious delicacies that can bedazzle any plate and are much cheaper than you may think (depending on where you get them).
How do you clean Kalahari truffles?
Carefully wash the truffles and brush with a soft brush to get rid of the fine sand. Peel the truffles just before use to make sure that you do not end up with the Kalahari between your teeth.
Can you find truffles in Africa?
The desert truffles are not so aromatic or tasty as European truffles but are still good to eat. There are more than 30 different species of Desert Truffle, and they all (as the name suggests) grow in the hot, dry regions around the Mediterranean, from Southern Spain through North Africa, to the Middle East and Turkey.
How do you eat desert truffles?
I’ve never had to clean them myself, but most people will tell you it’s worth it. Kamah is eaten in a variety of ways. It can be grilled , made into stew with meat, served with a yogurt sauce or made into a salad with garlic. Today I’m sharing the stew and salad version.
What is a desert truffle?
The Terfeziaceae , or desert truffles, is a family of truffles (Berber: Tirfas, Arabic: كمأ Kam’, [Kurdish Sorani language] دنبلان”Domalan”], Hebrew כמהין kmehin) endemic to arid and semi-arid areas of the Mediterranean Region, North Africa, and the Middle East, where they live in ectomycorrhizal association with ...
Do truffles grow in Namibia?
Kalahari truffles grow in eastern Namibia , They appear in years of good rainfall, usually late in the season when weather conditions are favourable. Driving in the eastern regions in autumn, you’re likely to see people searching for the cracks and protuberances in the red soil that reveal their whereabouts.
Are truffles good for you?
Truffles are a great source of antioxidants , compounds that help fight free radicals and prevent oxidative damage to your cells. Studies show that antioxidants are important to many aspects of your health and may even be linked to a lower risk of chronic conditions, such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes ( 2 ).
Where do you find truffles?
Today, truffles are found in temperate areas of Mediterranean Europe, western North America and Australia . They find their way into some of the world’s best restaurant kitchens within a few days (sometimes hours) of being foraged.
What do you mix with Cruxland gin?
KWV Cruxland London Dry Gin is Infused with Kalahari Truffles. In this recipe, it is paired with lime, blueberries and soda .
Do you have to wash truffles?
The real key is to keep the truffles dry; moisture will encourage rotting and make them go bad quickly. To clean, do not wash or submerge in water; just wipe the exterior down with a brush prior to using . According to Brad, white truffles will last for around five days; black will keep for over a week.
How much is a black truffle?
Though prices vary depending on the strength of the growing season and the rarity of the type, Sparvoli says prices are, on average: $250 per pound for summer black truffles ; $350 per pound for Burgundy, which grow from September through February; $800 per pound for winter black, which grow from November through March; ...
How much do truffle trees cost?
Inoculated trees range from $30 to $50 each and should be purchased from specialist suppliers. 4. Harvesting: Traditionally, trufferies use pigs or dogs to locate truffles. With only one or two trees, you can search by hand.
