Oregon black truffle

Oregon black truffle (Leucangium carthusianum, formerly Picoa carthusiana) is the only truffle in this group that is not a Tuber species—and this is strange, because it may have more of the inimitable black truffle aroma than some true truffles do. In the ripest specimens, enthusiast Greg Higgins sniffs out pineapple, port, mushrooms, rich soil, and chocolate. My large, crusty samples—irregular coal-like lumps of white-veined cocoa flesh—had hints of these, as well as the mild melanosporum scent. Neatly sliceable, the texture resembled moist Parmesan and ground almonds.