Truffles are a rare, expensive, and exclusive delicacy, but when are they harvested?
While there are some kinds of truffles that can be obtained year-round, true ‘culinary-grade’ truffles are very seasonal. They tend to be harvested between fall and winter before the spring trees get the opportunity to ‘feed’ on the nutrients provided by subterranean truffles.
Read on to learn more about the dramatically expensive truffle, and its part in the ecosystem.
Exclusive and Expensive
When we talk about truffles, we’re not referring to the chocolate treat. No, these are the extremely rare and sought-after fungal bodies that are found just under the surface of the earth.
They’re strange and unique in appearance, bear a taste similar to nuts and mushrooms, and are dramatically expensive.
At the highest point, a single pound of fine white truffles could cost around four thousand dollars. That’s par for the course where truffles are concerned, owing majorly to their rarity, and the difficulty involved in obtaining them.
In fact, a single white truffle (although it was particularly large) sold in Italy in 2018 for ninety-six thousand dollars. This gargantuan truffle was one of the largest ever seen and was priced at around one hundred Euros per gram.
Although that truffle was auctioned in the name of charity, it’s not uncommon for truffles to command that value.
In 1998, one of the largest and most dense truffles ever found was sold for an incredible $330,000. This truffle was uncovered in Croatia and set a near-unbreakable record.
However, the price is of course not fixed and is subject to change considerably, year on year. After all, it’s naturally-occurring produce and if the harvest is a bountiful one, the price will drop accordingly.
Reportedly, there was a drought of sorts in 2017, and the sought-after truffles became extremely difficult to find. As a result, the cost of those that existed was driven up massively.
The year after, the weather in growth zones was much more conducive to the development of these truffles. Therefore, the value almost collapses as everyone can get their hands on the delicacy.
Tracking Down the Truffles
Traditionally, they’re incredibly hard to find and must be harvested through special means. They naturally occur under the surface of the earth, in areas thick with nature, foliage, and trees.
This means they can’t simply be spotted and picked up. Quite often, special truffle-sniffing dogs will be employed to hunt down the rare, expensive truffles.
They’re not available all-year-round, either. While some sub-standard or more common kinds of truffles can be found year-round, the best variants are picked from fall to winter.
Although, this isn’t an exact science and the nature of their growth differs from country to country.
For example, the website englishtruffles.co.uk details how and when truffles grow naturally in the United Kingdom. They explain that English black truffles are harvested between May and August, or September to January.
However, an Australian website explains that truffles in their country are harvested almost exclusively throughout the winter months. Although, Australia has a unique position in the market, as their winter occurs when it’s summer in the Northern Hemisphere.
This of course opens up a lucrative opportunity for export to countries that aren’t harvesting truffles at that time.
Are they really that good?
So, we’ve established that truffles are a) extremely expensive, and b) very rare and sought-after. At the end of the day, they’re consumables, but are they even that good?
Reportedly, truffles are used more as an enhancer for base dishes as opposed to being a standalone delicacy. They’re often shaved or grated over pasta dishes, but they can be included in sauces and butter, as well.
They’re said to have a garlicky flavor that is similar to shallots and boast a musky, earthy aroma. The massive cost of a truffle isn’t because the taste blows your mind, it’s the rarity of the mushroom.
Caviarstar.com explains that it’s a ‘huge injustice’ to say that truffles just taste like mushrooms, but it’s the best starting point for a description. They go on to highlight that truffles can taste wildly different from one to the next, and it’s hard to lock in a specific flavor or consistency.
Regardless of how they taste, they’ll still command an intensely high price on the open market. However, owing to their reported growth time of five to ten years, you’ll find it difficult to take advantage of the value in your back yard any time soon.