Truffles live in a natural symbiotic relationship (mycorrhiza) with forest trees and shrubs in most forest ecosystems.
Except for well-known nutritional importance and unique aroma of truffles, their reported biological activities have also drawn scientific attention as they are believed to have positive effects in the development of truffle-related products. They have positive impact on human health and well-being.
Fruiting bodies of black truffles are more or less regular round shaped, have 3-5 cm in diameter and black-brown color. They grow on well-drained, calcareous soils. T. melanosporum lives in mycorrhiza with a variety of deciduous trees, usually oak, hornbeam and hazel.
Fruiting bodies of T. melanosporum achieve maturity from November to March.