Customer Reviews

Field Guide to North American Truffles: Hunting, Identifying, and Enjoying the World's Most Prized Fungi

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If you're thinking of picking this up just so you can jaunt out to the woods and grab some food for dinner, you might want to think twice--given the number of inedible fungi out there (some toxic), the authors do recommend that amateurs wanting edible truffles take along a more experienced truffle hunter until they've got the hang of it. If you think that hunting truffles would make a cool hobby however, particularly given the newness of the sport and the possibility for finding and identifying new species, this is an indispensable book to have in your pocket.

Along with an introduction covering plenty of general tips on truffle hunting, the book includes detailed pages on many species of truffle. These include photographs, of course, and it's amazing to discover the vast range of colors, patterns, shapes, sizes, etc. among truffles! The season during which each truffle can be found is noted; for instance, the Trappea darkeri's season is April--November. Distribution comes next, anything from the vague "Western North America" to the incredibly specific "Only in western Oregon and northern California in lowland to foothill forests." Habitat describes, usually, the type of trees under which the truffle variety is found.

Since photos and descriptions sometimes aren't enough for identification, spore information is included as well--starting with a photograph of the spores (generally taken through a microscope). Spore notes include size in micrometers and a general description, and sometimes include notes on the particular dye or solution used to bring out certain features.

"Features" and "Comments" sections provide plenty of information to help you further identify the particular fungus you've found, often including internal physical details found upon cutting the specimen open as well as notes on odor and culinary value.

Finally, each entry ends with a brief section labeled simply "DR" for "desirability rating," or how desirable the NATS has deemed the truffle to be for culinary uses. This ranges from unknown or inedible to the entertaining label of `insipid', the damning-with-faint-praise `palatable,' and finally a rare few species labeled tasty or delicious.

If you think you you'd be interested in digging up some truffles, this is an absolutely invaluable little book for helping you to figure out what you've got on your hands!

Okay, I have to admit I was amazed that there are so many truffle species in the US. I've been hunting mushrooms for decades; but it never really dawned on me to dig around for truffles. I did find and eat some truffles when I planted pine trees in northern Alabama years ago; but never gave them much more thought. I'll add a small rake to the equipment I lug around on my forays in the woods this year. I thank the authours for opening up a new passion for me. I especially like the attention to the spore colours and shapes. This is the book to get if you're interested in these little gems

This is book for those that cook and are looking for new adventures! Detailed descriptions of what and where to look. I do not agree with every review, so take a chance and decide for yourself. Its an adventure! Great book, new hobby.

A nice little book for the avid mushroom hunter. Not particularly easy to use as a field guide, especially if you are not in the Pacific Northwest and are looking for information by geographic area.

I'm a chef, and this book teaches you how to achieve full understanding of the american truffle. The costs that you will save are incrediable. The pictures are wonderful and descripions are full and informative. the only down side is that all have not been reviwed and some you need to study under a microscope, to find out weather edible or not.

Great book one that i will ue always