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How to Find Oregon Truffels

Long considered one of nature's delicacies, the wild truffle - a hypogeous (underground) mushroom -- can be found growing beneath Oregon's Douglas fir forests. The state boasts two types -- the Oregon white truffle and the Oregon black truffle. In Oregon, truffles fruit throughout the fall, winter and spring. The Oregon Truffle Festival, the first of its kind in North America, started to allow chefs, foragers and fans of Oregon's wild truffles to celebrate what aficionados call "the black diamond."

Things You'll Need

Dog trained to detect the scent of truffles
Four-tined garden rake
Paper bags

Instructions

Locating, Removing and Storing Oregon Truffles
- 1
  Have your dog trained to recognize the scent of truffles. In Europe, truffle hunters employ pigs to sniff out truffles. However, most Oregon truffle hunters use dogs. Hunters prefer dogs because they will not eat the truffles and they are easier to transport to and from the forest. Trifecta Training Center, in Eugene, Ore., will train your dog for you.
- 2
  Determine where to hunt for truffles. In Oregon, this is most often in the foothills of the Willamette Valley, where Douglas firs grow in abundance. Mice and other rodents eat truffles, meaning small scratch marks in the soil can reveal where patches of truffles exist. You can usually find truffles anywhere from one to six inches beneath the surface of the ground.
- 3
  Once you have located a truffle patch, rake organic debris such as tree needles, away with a four-tine garden rake and gently peel back the mossy litter layer or ground cover. Look for objects that resemble small potatoes. Truffles are often beige, reddish brown or slightly yellow. Once you have removed the them, replace the forest ground cover and try to leave the area as you found it.
- 4
  Store your truffles in the short-term in a paper bag in the refrigerator. Never store them in plastic. To keep them for a few months, freeze them in a glass jar. To dry truffles, cut them in half, then place them in a food dehydrator, or put them in the refrigerator in a loosely closed paper bag for about three days. Most people prefer truffles to be served as freshly as possible.

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