Truffles

[lenaanthony]

Truffles, which have a distinct aroma and tantalizing taste, have been harvested for the past 3600 years. As this mushroom species grows underground, they are difficult to locate, and also come at a dear cost!

[lenaanthony]

Every year during spring time, truffle hunters gather around the woods in search for buried truffle goodness, aided with the help of the sensitive nostrils of their dogs or pigs. A record was set way back in 2000 when an auction of white truffles fetched a price of $400 an ounce!

[lenaanthony]

Original truffles are round in shape, brown in color and of course dirty, as they have come from the earth. Truffles contain spores which assist them in reproduction for continuity.

[lenaanthony]

As truffles are buried in soil, they have to rely on partnerships with certain animals for dispersion of their spores. Squirrels and chipmunks are some known examples, as they dig up the ground in search for truffles.

[lenaanthony]

Truffle-producing mushrooms have also formed a symbiotic relationship with trees, as they are unable to create their own food resources. The hyphae, or the threadlike non-fruiting section of the fungi coat the tree roots and assist their host in mineral absorption. In return of this, the tree provides the fungi with carbohydrates and other nutrients, which are the byproducts of its photosynthesis nature.

[lenaanthony]

Although attempts have been made to farm truffles, the lack of forestation and depreciation of tree numbers due to air pollution has further reduced the chances of growing the fungi.

[Anam]

As a truffle is also know as a mushroom or a type of a fruit giving mushroom also. It is also a fungi and is many of the times planted in the farm to made a complete farm of truffle.

[Felix]

You can grow your own truffles at home, if you like :


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/food/article-3393738/Why-spend-10-000-grow-30-British-gardeners-create-truffle-TREES-plant-garden.html