Record-setting Truffle Makes One Pricey Meal
It may not be the prettiest food we've ever seen but the 750-gram (26-ounce) white truffle shown above, is one pricey delicacy. The "Queen Tartufo" Alba ttruffle recently was auctioned off for $208,000 and will be served at a banquet in Hong Kong. The truffle had been shipped from Alba in Italy's Piedmont region to Hong Kong for the charity auction which benefits Mother's Choice, a charity that provides care for pregnant women.
It's an expensive year for the truffle market. A bad truffle season in Alba has driven prices up to an average of $4,000 a pound with small truffles less than an inch in diameter sells for around $50. Luckily you don't need a lot of truffle to make an impact. A few thin shavings over pasta or an omelette can make a simple meal luxurious. Black truffles from Italy are a cheaper alternative at $500 a pound. Or you can always go American, Oregon white truffles can be found for $40 for three ounces. They aren't held in quite as high regard as Italian truffles but they are gaining in popularity and there is even an Oregon Truffle festival held in January.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tony Howell Nov 19th 2007 2:03PM
It shows that to the person who enjoys the fine things in life a truffle is priceless. It appeals to people who want a taste of natures very rare edible treasures. Some people use it as status symbol for dinner parties and others just love to eat them. That is why I have launched White Truffle Auction this year to not only offer fresh truffles for people to buy online but also have an online auction where anyone can bid globally for a fresh truffle over 80 grams in size. Take a look at http://www.whitetruffleauction.com and ask us for a quote on whatever your fresh truffle requirements are or register to take part in our online global auctions.
If you want to ask me any questions then just email me at tony@whitetruffleauction.com. Thank you.
Steven Remington Nov 20th 2007 6:34PM
Part of the reason the Oregon Truffle is not as expensive and as highly regarded is because foraging for the Oregon Truffle is a relatively young industry in the Pacific Northwest (they actually grow from northern California to British Columbia) and they are often as not collected before they are ripe. The Oregon Truffle Festival is held during the peak of the season for this very reason, and is dedicated to educating the foodies as well as the chefs and foragers. Now in its third year, the festival features all James Beard Award-winning chefs preparing primarily Oregon Truffles (blacks and whites) at the Grand Dinner.
You can get more information on the festival at www.oregontrufflefestival.com