Tartufo Nero di Norcia (Tuber melanosporum) is the most prized black truffle in Europe, harvested from the forests of Valnerina and the Sibillini Mountains in Umbria. Norcia is the Italian capital of black truffles and hosts the renowned Mostra Mercato del Tartufo every year.
Harvesting takes place from December to March with the help of specially trained dogs, in oak, hornbeam, and hazelnut forests. The black "scorzone" has a wrinkled surface, while the inner flesh is dark purple with white veining.
Unlike the white truffle of Alba, Tartufo Nero di Norcia truly shines when cooked: in crostini neri, pasta al tartufo, scrambled eggs, and in the celebrated strangozzi al tartufo nero.
