In the scripts of ancient writers such as Hippocrates, Aristotle, Theophrastus, Dioskourides, Galinos and others, we can find interesting information about mushrooms. This was their appreciation for them, which considered them the food of Gods and kings, equal to ambrosia. Aristotle considered the mushrooms enigmatic, Socrates noticed that they tend to reproduce very quickly while Hippocrates, the father of medicine, gave a lecture in 430 BC. in the Lyceum of Athens, to treatment the poisoning of eating wild mushrooms.
Despite the fact that the mushrooms were sometimes a dangerous meal, the ancient Greeks appreciated their culinary value.
Finally, for the truffles, which the ancient Greeks called them “ydna”, there are many references to ancient texts such as Theophrastus, Dioscorides and Cicero, where Greeks and Romans attributed therapeutic actions such as muscular and arthritic pains, high cholesterol and aphrodisiac properties. Furthermore, the Romans believed that the best truffles grew in Greece.
Mushrooms are considered excellent food because they contain negligible amounts of fat and sugars, but significant amounts of plant fiber. Mushroom proteins, due to the presence of all the necessary amino acids, have high biological value and compete in the quality of animal proteins, but without the toxins, fats and cholesterol that they include. Therefore, they are considered ideal for vegetarians and an ideal choice for those who want to lose weight because they contain few calories.
The truffle is one of the most sought-after delights in the world. It contains excellent protein and amino acid quality, several fiber, minerals and trace minerals (such as iron, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, copper, zinc) and vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B12, D).
It also has therapeutic effects against muscular and arthritic pain (due to potassium) and high levels of cholesterol and is known for its strong aphrodisiac properties.
In Greece there are excellent quality mushrooms with a striking taste. Greek mushrooms are a healthy and superior gastronomic food that combines protein of high biological value, precious metals and microelements.
In many regions of Greece and particularly in Western Macedonia, there is a wide variety of mushrooms and have been found some kinds of them that considered rare in Europe and worldwide such as Gauteria Hellenica and Barssia Helenaica. Also, 27 of the 33 truffle species on the planet, including the rare tuber magnetum, have been recorded in Greece, which was discovered on October 7, 2010. Due to the particular climatic and soil conditions in Greece, Tuber Aestivum (black summer truffle) is cultivated on olive trees which gives a light delicate aroma and a mild taste, that remind us the smell of nuts, walnuts and hazelnuts.