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Truffle Blog

Truffles “better than those found in Italy” discovered in Portugal

6/7/2024

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The University of Évora and chef Tanka Sapkota have announced the discovery, for the first time in Portugal, of the summer truffle, a gastronomic delicacy resulting from the reproduction of fungi. 

“It is the first discovery of summer truffle in Portugal, it is a fantastic discovery, because we know, for the first time, that it is possible to grow it in our country”, explained a researcher from the University of Évora Celeste Santos e Silva.

The University of Évora and chef Tanka Sapkota have been working in partnership for two years looking for truffles in Portugal.
“Several people sent us several samples, but none were truffles” until April 26th, when they received another sample from the municipalities of Alenquer and Sobral de Monte Agraço, in the district of Lisbon, and the researchers were able to prove the existence of this truffle in Portugal.



Since this species of truffle was until now imported and a kilogram costs up to 100 euros, the researcher clarified that the discovery “opens up several market possibilities worldwide, both from the point of view of cultivation and commercialization”.
“I have been working in this area of macromycology for 20 years and I have several owners interested in cultivating it in addition to other crops, since its production can take between 13 and 15 years”, said Celeste Santos e Silva.
“Only today we gathered one kilogram and we have a man who gathered six kilograms in one morning because there were several places and there was a good quantity, so the potential is great”, said chef Tanka Sapkota.
In addition to being a delicacy used in gastronomy, it also has medicinal properties as it is anti-inflammatory, promotes the body's well-being and stimulates the immune system.
Tanka Sapkota discovered truffles in 1992 in restaurants in Italy and, in 2007, began using the delicacy in the dishes he prepares in his restaurants in Lisbon, with the aim of “democratising the truffle” that he has been importing.
In his three restaurants in the capital, he consumes an average of seven kilograms per week.

With this discovery, the chef has no doubt that Portugal now has “better truffles than Italy”.

​https://www.theportugalnews.com/news/2024-05-28/truffles-better-than-those-found-in-italy-discovered-in-portugal/89281

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Go for a truffle hunting adventure in Alba, Italy

5/17/2024

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Click here to eAlba, a quaint town in Italy's Piedmont region, is celebrated for its exquisite white truffles and medieval architecture.Each fall, the Alba White Truffle Fair brings the town to life, drawing food lovers and travelers worldwide.In addition to the fair, visitors can enjoy Alba's stunning landscapes and authentic Italian culinary traditions that are deeply rooted in the local culture.

Truffle huntingJoin a truffle huntDelve into the forests of Alba for a truffle-hunting adventure, led by knowledgeable locals and their adept dogs.In this quest for white truffles, you'll uncover the secrets of their discovery while being enveloped by Piedmont's verdant landscape.This experience is not just educational but also a unique way to engage with the region's heritage and natural splendor.
City WalkExplore Alba's historic centerWander through Alba's historic heart, where medieval structures stand tall and cobblestone paths weave.The Cathedral of San Lorenzo is a must-see, with its towering bell tower.As you meander, you'll spot many palazzos scattered throughout the cityscape.This walk is a perfect chance to immerse yourself in the local culture and history at a relaxed pace.
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Food marketSavor local delicacies at marketNo visit to Alba would be complete without exploring its vibrant food markets.Here you can sample fresh local produce like cheeses, fruits, and of course, truffles when in season.The market offers a chance to interact with locals and learn about Piedmontese cuisine directly from producers.It's also an ideal spot to pick up souvenirs or ingredients for cooking back home.
Truffle fairAttend the truffle fairIf your visit coincides with autumn, attending the Alba White Truffle Fair is a must.This event celebrates all things truffle-related through tastings, cooking demonstrations, and stalls selling gourmet products from across Italy.It's not just about food; there are also crafts, live music performances making it a cultural experience that showcases Italian hospitality at its best.

https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/lifestyle/truffle-hunting-adventure-in-alba-italy/story
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A Distillery Dog with a Nose for Truffles

5/12/2024

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In late December, Amanda Humphrey and a Lagotto Romagnolo named Star paid a visit to NewTown Truffiere, Margaret Townsend’s twenty-five-acre truffle orchard outside Scottsville, Kentucky. Humphrey, who oversees guest experiences at Maker’s Mark’s Star Hill Farm and looks after Star, had brought the then-sixteen-month-old pup for a truffle-hunting lesson from Townsend and her trained Lagotto, Luca. “I was talking with Margaret, and Star came up behind me with a truffle in his mouth like he was saying, ‘Mom, is this what you’re looking for?’” Humphrey recalls. “After that, he was nose to the ground. It was like a switch went off.”

https://gardenandgun.com/articles/a-distillery-dog-with-a-nose-for-truffles/​

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Truffle Foraging - With Dogs! | The Nosh with Rachel Belle

5/9/2024

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fQkWVWwNPk
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Identification of Bis(methylsulfanyl)methane and Furan-2(5 H)-one as Volatile Marker Compounds for the Differentiation of the White Truffle Species Tuber magnatum and Tuber borchii

4/22/2024

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​Some truffles are expensive and, therefore, are prone to food fraud. A particular problem is the differentiation of high-priced Tuber magnatum truffles from cheaper Tuber borchii truffles, both of which are white truffles with similar morphological characteristics. Using an untargeted approach, the volatiles isolated from samples of both species were screened for potential marker compounds by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-TOFMS) and statistical analysis of the obtained semiquantitative data. Results suggested bis(methylsulfanyl)methane and furan-2(5H)-one as compounds characterizing T. magnatum and T. borchii, respectively. Exact quantitation of both volatiles by conventional one-dimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in combination with stable isotopologues of the target compounds as internal standards confirmed both as marker compounds. The method is suitable to be used in the routine analysis for the objective species differentiation of T. magnatum and T. borchii.

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/epdf/10.1021/acs.jafc.4c00714​
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Scottish forest holds key to rare truffle's origins

4/22/2024

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Naturalists have stumbled upon a rare species of truffle nestled within a Scottish forestry plantation earmarked for transformation into an Atlantic rainforest habitat.
As The Guardian reports, the finding of the Chamonixia caespitosa, a type of truffle typically found in the Alps and Scandinavia, near Creagan in the west Highlands, presents a unique paradox: as efforts to remove non-native Sitka spruce trees for rewilding intensify, the habitat supporting the truffle faces destruction.
This globally rare fungus, inedible to humans, shares a symbiotic relationship with the Sitka spruce, its white fruit turning a striking mottled blue upon contact with the air. The mystery surrounding its presence in Scotland prompts naturalists to ponder its origins, considering the unlikely dispersal of fungus spores to the UK and the Canadian origin of the Sitka plantations.
Dr. Andy Taylor, a molecular fungal ecologist at the James Hutton Institute, suggests the possibility of a broader distribution, advocating for the preservation of this rare species. He highlights the importance of understanding and conserving soil biodiversity within such plantations, spearheading an initiative to study soil species in other areas.
Despite the ecological criticism surrounding Sitka spruce plantations, Taylor's research indicates a potential richness in soil biodiversity, offering hope for the discovery of new species and insights into their symbiotic relationships with host trees. As conservation efforts evolve, the discovery of the rare truffle serves as a catalyst for further exploration and preservation of Scotland's natural heritage.
​
https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/news/scottish-forest-holds-key-to-rare-truffle-s-origins

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American-Farmed White Truffles Were Almost Impossible. That's Changing. | WSJ Operating Costs

4/8/2024

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYijBOru4Vs

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Big fortune sprouting from small fungus

3/16/2024

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KUNMING, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Entering March, Li Yongfen and her daughter-in-law were finally able to enjoy a well-deserved rest, putting an end to their days of getting up in the early morning to harvest black truffles deep in the forest.
From last November to February, the family from Yongren County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, picked some 200 kg of wild black truffles, bringing home an additional income of 18,000 yuan (2,538 U.S. dollars).
Dubbed the "black diamond" in some European countries, the precious black truffle is one of the most expensive edible fungi in the world.
As the fungus gains increasing popularity among Chinese consumers and various products are developed, an industrial chain that covers production, processing, sales and product innovation is being established in Yunnan, a major province for black truffle growth.
Based on the previous picking experience, Li was able to estimate the growing locations of truffles.
"This year, the truffle prices are fairly good, reaching up to 500 yuan per kilo," said Li.

https://english.news.cn/20240314/c35a974b7d0b493c86280bdf5bb70d50/c.html​

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Entrepreneurs create Truffle farm in Pittsboro as business keeps growing: 'Diversifying the plate'

3/16/2024

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PITTSBORO, N.C. (WTVD) -- Two North Carolina entrepreneurs are busy packing up goods and mailing them to customers.
The Pittsboro-based company is reaping the benefits of having local products seen on the national stage.
Truffletopia's business is booming and has been since they were able to sell their goods on a shopping network show. Hundreds of orders poured in during and after the airing and some items even sold out.
"We're going to keep getting orders as time goes because they're going to re-air it," said Truffletopia Co-Owner Josh Esnard.

​https://abc11.com/truffle-farm-nc-truffletopia-mushrooms-oil-pittsboro/14520872/

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Spain surpasses France in truffle production

3/11/2024

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In 2023, Spain harvested over 100 tons of cultivated black truffles, accounting for 60 per cent of the world’s supply.

https://euroweeklynews.com/2024/02/12/spain-surpasses-france-in-truffle-production/​
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Taming the Truffle: The History, Lore, and Science of the Ultimate Mushroom (Book)

3/1/2024

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Whether the world’s best truffles come from Piedmont or Périgord inspires impassioned debate, but the effects of dwindling supply and insatiable demand for the elusive mushroom are unquestionable: prices through the roof, intrigue and deception, and ever more intensive efforts to cultivate. As international mycologist Ian Hall and his colleagues have written, “Attempts at taming the truffle, of ordering its growth and harvest, now span the globe, and there has been some success in unlocking the secrets of what French researchers have aptly referred to as la grande mystique.”
 
The secrets of when, how, and where to collect truffles have been passed from generation to generation since ancient times, but artificial cultivation remains the holy grail. Here, in the most comprehensive practical treatment of the gastronomic treasure to date, the art and science of the high-stakes pursuit come together. This extensively illustrated volume brings the latest research and decades of experience to enthusiasts and professionals alike, with coverage of the leading truffle areas including France, Italy, Spain, and Asia, and the newcomers: Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.

https://www.amazon.com/Taming-Truffle-History-Ultimate-Mushroom/dp/0881928607​
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How to grow truffles, a gourmet treat, in your own back garden

3/1/2024

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When a village elder invited me and my wife into his house, we fell for the mystery of truffles. It’s a labour of love, but it’s worth it.

​https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/how-to-grow/grow-truffles-gourmet-treat-back-garden/
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Puzzle of prized white truffle finally yields to science

3/1/2024

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This week, scientists from France’s National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE), will reveal that, at a secret location in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, western France, they have cultivated 26 white truffles.

https://www.theguardian.com/food/2022/jul/24/puzzle-of-prized-white-truffles-finally-yields-science-fungi​
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UK's landowners can profit from truffle farming

3/1/2024

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With climate change affecting truffle production in Europe, the cooler conditions in the UK can prove ideal for growing this culinary treasure – offering good returns on investment
https://ww3.rics.org/uk/en/journals/land-journal/truffle-production-uk-investment.html​

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Bulgaria's Truffle Hunters Seek Regulation Reform for Sustainable Harvesting

3/1/2024

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In Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria, a crucial meeting unfolded as representatives from six national organizations within the truffle and wild mushroom industry convened to address urgent legislative changes needed to allow for the harvesting of non-timber forest products in the upcoming season. Spearheaded by Svetlozar Siderov, Chairperson of the National Truffle Hunters Federation, the cry for reform highlights the sector's struggle against the Forestry Act's inadequacies and the absence of specific regulations, impacting the livelihoods of nearly 100,000 individuals.


https://bnnbreaking.com/breaking-news/agriculture/bulgarias-truffle-hunters-seek-regulation-reform-for-sustainable-harvesting
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Totally Truffles Blog May 2014

5/27/2014

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Truffle
 'goldmine' could await the right homebuyer
 The Australian
A GOLD mine of truffles worth tens of thousands may await the buyers of a farm in the Southern Highlands, but they will have to scratch below the ...

Mushroom Networks Boosts Its Truffle Broadband Bonding™ Network Appliance to Support Up To ...MarketWatch
Truffle E and EX series deliver the faster connectivity that enterprises need for today's high-bandwidth private and public cloud applications.

The trouble with truffles Corvallis Gazette Times
Responsible truffle hunters, explains Marilyn Hinds, president of the North American Truffling Society and the leader of this expedition, get permission ...

Dogs are sniffing out new species of truffles | ScienceNordic sciencenordic.com
Out in the woods, deep underground, small, lumpy growths emit irresistible smells that no truffle dog can resist – nor their human partners, who are ...
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Totally Truffles Blog April 2014

4/7/2014

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Susan Alexander Truffles LLC | LinkedIn
linkedin.com; Susan Rice Alexander is cultivating the largest truffle orchard in the United States and has been hailed as "truffle producer extraordinaire" by Dan ...

UK: Waitrose First Supermarket To Stock Truffle Sausage
Namnews; The sausage is made from pork, mushrooms and truffles, and will be priced at £3.95 per 400g. It has been created by truffle expert James Painter, who ...

In Search of the Best American Truffles
Wall Street Journal; A FUNGUS AMONG US | Tom, a Lagotto Romagnolo, hunting Oregon winter whitetruffles with his trainer, Jim Sanford Photography by Laura D'Art for ...

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Totally Truffles Blog March 2014

3/24/2014

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Connoisseurs scour desert in hunt for truffles Arab News
This is quite conspicuous during winter, when health-conscious citizens make a beeline for make-shift stalls or parked vehicles vending truffle. Desert ...

Truffle
 farming: How mapping technology is being used to discover new places to grow savoury ...
The Economist
PIGS, dogs and rakes can all be useful in the quest to discover wild truffles, but each has its drawbacks. Pigs like to gobble up the fancy fungi as much ...

Fake truffles and “bad chefs” get French growers flustered
 Australian Hospitality Magazine
Fake truffles and “bad chefs” get French growers flustered French growers are frustrated with chefs that are “doping” truffles from China to make them ...

French trufflers rise up in defence of their black diamonds AFP
Paris — French truffle growers are up in arms over cheaper imports from China which they say are being doctored by unscrupulous chefs and passed ...

When a truffle's not a truffle Independent Online
Paris - French truffle growers are up in arms over cheaper imports from China which they say are being doctored by unscrupulous chefs and passed ...

France Rallies Around Its Truffles

New York Times
GRIGNAN, France — As the world of French truffles falls into disarray, let's hear it for the poor man's truffleof Bourgogne. Inexpensive truffles from ...

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Totally Truffles February 2014

3/24/2014

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Truffle
 store makes Upper West Side building stink: residents

New York Post
Residents at 10 West End Avenue say Urbani Truffles has been making their building stink. Photo: Angel Chevrestt ...


Growing truffles still experimental, expert says

Capital Press
Abandoned Christmas tree farms can still generate profits in the form of truffles. The native Oregon fungus often colonizes young Douglas firs, but ...


In season: Tennessee truffles

Atlanta Journal Constitution
The fragrance of a fresh Perigord black truffle, only a few days out of the ground, may be the most amazing aroma in all the plant or fungi kingdom.

France's truffle farmers aim to stop inferior Chinese fungi getting a sniff
The Guardian - France's annual truffle production has plummeted in recent years from 1,600 tons to about 40 tons, largely due to tree clearance. Photograph: Hemis/ ...

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Totally Truffles Jan 2014 Blog

1/17/2014

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Illegal truffle harvester's bail set at $32500
Edward Parker, 26, illegally harvested 10.5 ounces of Oregon Black and White Truffles from the Hancock Forest / Nestucca property near Logsden on ...
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Halsey man cited for illegal truffle harvestingThe Register-GuardLOGSDEN — A Halsey man has been cited for harvesting truffles without obtaining a permit from a landowner in the Hancock Forest and Nestucca ...
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Truffle rustling is no trifle in the eyes of the law! » News Lincoln CountyadminPrivate property east of Logsden - off limits to truffle rustling. ... 10.5 ounces of Oregon Black and White Truffles without a permit from the landowner.
News Lincoln County

The Dark Side of the Truffle Trade
The Atlantic - Soon after the box they arrive in is pried opened, each piece of white truffle is carefully unloaded and analyzed for flaws. Then they are individually ...

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December 2013

12/10/2013

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Diamonds in the rough: The truth about truffle huntingUSA TODAY
One of the world's priciest foods comes from very humble beginnings. A truffle, by definition, is the fruiting body of a subterranean Ascomycete fungus, which ...
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Périgord Truffles: The Science Of The French Culinary 'Black Diamond'Science 2.0 The black Périgord truffle is a fungus that grows underground around the roots of oak and hazelnut trees in winter. It has become a staple during holidays in ...
See all stories on this topic »

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November 2013

11/22/2013

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Truffle hunter digs out massive fungi in secret Sussex woodland ...The Argus A woman discovered a bumper truffle, but is keeping tight-lipped about the ... Licensed trufflehunter Melissa Waddingham from Horsham stumbled upon the ...See all stories on this topic »

Giant truffle found near Lewes Sussex Express FreestyleFurnitureWarehouse. Licenced truffle hunter Melissa Waddingham found this whopping example with her dogs on the South Downs near Lewes.See all stories on this topic »

Vegas restaurant snags rare, 2-lb. truffle worth $10K - CBS 5 - KPHOKPHO Phoenix A rare white truffle, weighing in at about 2 pounds, sits on a scale next to the more normally sized versions of the fungi at Ferraro's Italian Restaurant on Nov. See all stories on this topic »

Stink after truffle event cancelledThe West Australian The Shire of Mundaring has come under criticism from the State Government and prominent chefs over its decision to scrap the popular Truffle Festival.
See all stories on this topic »

Oregon truffle hunting will require a permitMail Tribune Oregon's Board of Forestry moved forward Thursday to regulate truffle hunting on ... This small distinction kept truffle hunting from being regulated on state and ...
See all stories on this topic »

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October 2013

11/7/2013

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'The Big Truffle' goes on sale in Dubai at a price tag of Dh100,000The National. The 530-gram truffle was bought by the Bice Mare, an Italian seafood restaurant in the Souk ... It was sold by Massimo Vidoni, who calls himself “The Truffle Man.
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A $95000 Truffle? 3 Insane Things Rich People Blow Their Money OnAlterNet. In October 2013, he visited New York's Nello eatery where he dropped $95,000 on a single, four-pound white truffle. Why so costly? Partly because it's an ...
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Research team sequences genome of Pyronema confluensNews-Medical.net. "With 125 million base pairs, the truffle genome is unusually big, yet it is coding for ... Unlike other filamentous ascomycetes, the truffle does not develop ...

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Genome Of Pyronema Confluens Sequenced By Research TeamRedOrbit

Among the basal filamentous ascomycetes – a group of ascomycetes that includes e.g. truffles and morels – only one representative has been analyzed so far: ...

See all stories on this topic »

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September 2013

9/15/2013

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San Miniato white truffles a hit in the Gulf regionANSAmed
(ANSAmed) - ROME - White truffles have made their way to Gulf tables as the latest Italian luxury food to catch on in the region, and Kuwait will be part of the ...
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White Truffles 2013: More Product, More Better... Less Expensive!Huffington Post
Gastronomes are well aware of the deadly upward spiral of the Alba whitetruffle, the jewel of Italian gastronomy. Priced at under $1000 a lb. within my memory ...
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Now we can all get a taste for trufflesJewish Chronicle
Autumn is truffle season. Not the chocolate variety — which are always in season — but the rare fungus, that grows underground within the living roots of ...
See all stories on this topic »


Idaho truffle industry begins to show promiseCapital Press
Fifty truffles were discovered in Idaho orchards this year and the state's fledgling industry is showing signs of promise. Truffles fetch up to $1,000 a pound and ...
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Exotic harvestsBBC News
Wild truffle hunting is a passion and a pleasure for Marion Dean. ... "The last professional truffle hunter retired in the 1930s, and truffles had just about dropped ...
See all stories on this topic »

Oregon Truffle Festival: Truffle dog training and moreLos Angeles Times
If truffles figure in your dreams, tickets just went on sale for the ninth Oregon Truffle Festival.Truffles? Oregon? Well, yes, our northern cousin is actually ...
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Dogs are in the hunt for truffles: Pigs no longer the go-to detectorHULIQ
Pigs are legendary truffle detectives, accompanying truffle hunters for centuries and helping them root out what has become the world's most expensive food ...
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The trouble with truffles: they're not worth the hype or the priceThe Guardian (blog)
Truffles What makes a truffle so desirable that producers can charge up to $9,000 a lump? ... Bonkers. What's the difference between the truffle and the tomato?
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A Giant Truffle Comes To Garces Trading CompanyThe Daily Meal
Jose Garces' Garces trading Company recently received a 21-ounce truffle, the ... donated by The Wine and Truffle Company from Manjimup West Australia.
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Dogs the key to a successful truffle harvest ABC Local
But his dog "Morris" isn't in demand for his cattle mustering or yard skills. His value is in his nose, unearthing the expensive truffles growing beneath the ground.
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New Rules Face Truffle Hunters this SeasonKLCC FM Public Radio
Until this year, state regulations for harvesting special forest products did not include truffles. Angie Johnson is with the Oregon Department of Forestry. She says ...
See all stories on this topic »

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July 2013

7/12/2013

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NSW struggling to grow truffles
ABC Online
Growers are conducting research to understand why some truffieres along Australia's east coast struggle to produce truffles. The Australian Truffles Growers Association says that while the industry is set for a bumper season, the majority of that ...


It's Truffle time
Braidwood Times
The French Black Perigord Truffle (or tuber melanosporum) is widely known for its dense, nutty and earthy aroma. The local industry has been gaining momentum with high prices gained through sales to northern hemisphere in their summer season.

Truffle Hunting in Croatia 7 minutes ago
The Spokesman Review (blog)
Our small group, an assortment of travelers from the US, Canada and Germany, gathered as Ivan Karlic, our guide, leashed up Blackie, the sweet, specially trained dog who would sniff out trufflesburied at the base of oak trees growing in a small grove ...
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    Olga Kiddle

    Olga founded Totally Truffles in 2010. She is a committed truffle enthusiast who wants to make this delicacy more affordable and to make truffle cultivation more predictable.

    She hopes you enjoy some of the links provided 

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