Truffle Sells at Auction for $200,000
Although many of us are tightening our budgets and spending less this year, some people out there are continuing to indulge themselves. One example: at an international auction that took place this past Saturday an Italian white truffle sold for $200,000. The tuber weighed just over 2 lbs and was bought by casino mogul Stanley Ho from Hong Kong, who must really love truffles because he bought another enormous white truffle last year at a similar auction for $330,000.
Climate change is largely to blame for the rising price of truffles, since they grow naturally in forests (and aren't commercially cultivated) they've been particularly susceptible to Italy's recent mix of drought and torrential rains.
How long to truffles keep? I'd be tempted to save it and resell for a profit!
Via Book of Joe
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tim Dec 4th 2008 10:34AM
It is STANLEY Ho, not Steven Ho....
even your source has the name correct...
Stanley Ho owns the Casino Lisboa and the Casino Lisboa is home to the Roubuchon a Galera by Joel Robuchon which recently was awarded 3 Michelin Stars.
The restaurant frequently hosts white truffle gala dinners and i believe the next one is December 6th.
So Ho might sell these truffles.
Rigel Dec 4th 2008 11:36AM
Thanks for catching that typo!
Bill Dec 6th 2008 1:56AM
Hmm, 200K for tree root fungus. Riiight! ;)