Brief introduction of truffle

White truffle fungus is a kind of fungus plant. This kind of plant has a very long growth cycle, so it can't be planted artificially, only wild species, and it is also buried deep underground, so it is very rare. The most interesting thing is that if you want to collect this truffle, you need the help of animals, because only their noses can accurately find these precious ingredients buried deep underground. Global gourmets are willing to pay real money, all for the unique fragrance of white truffles. White truffle fungus is the most expensive edible fungus at present, which only appears in Italy and northern Croatia from October to December every year.

fungus

white truffle

Wild plant fungus, similar to Pleurotus ostreatus and Boletus, produced in Italy, was praised by the world and only appeared in auctions and media headlines. Because of its preciousness, it is called white diamond. White truffle fungus is the seasoning of food, so it should be eaten raw and not cooked, because the most useful thing is the sweet smell of white truffle fungus, which is like the rich fragrance of garlic, and it will go stale in case of fire. White truffle fungus was first discovered in 195, and later it became a delicacy in banquets.

Truffles like alkaline calcareous soil, which is loose and easy to drain and breathe. It needs rain in summer, but it needs a little water but not too much. It is also afraid of the big and long rain in spring. Because truffles can't photosynthesize themselves to make carbohydrates for growth, they must live with the roots of oak trees and use the roots of oak trees to absorb nutrients. Therefore, the growth range of truffles is generally among trees. Therefore, it is even more difficult to cultivate truffles artificially. For example, after planting truffle hyphae on the roots of oak trees, it is possible to harvest truffles after seven to ten years, if you are lucky. Over-ripe truffles will decompose and rot in the soil, release spores, germinate and grow into hyphae, and grow big when they meet the roots of oak trees.

Because the white truffle fungus exudes a strong aroma with garlic flavor, Italian people like to eat it with cheese slices or bread, and it is helpful to enhance the aroma and taste of food when used on dishes. Because it can only be excavated by dogs with recognized licenses with sensitive sense of smell, and in order to maintain freshness, it can only be stored for about ten days after excavation, which makes the white truffle fungus expensive.

In Europe and America, it is as noble as foie gras and caviar, and it costs about HK$ 1 per gram, which is four times more expensive than the famous French black fungus. White truffle bacteria generally weigh 3 to 4 grams, with brown and rough appearance and hard texture. Wipe the soil on the surface after digging out, and there is no need to clean it. In order to keep the flavor, it is best to eat it within two weeks.

Truffles themselves have no special taste, but many people have been fascinated by them since ancient times because of their special smell. In 1825, the famous French gourmet Jean-Savarin wrote in his book Physiology of Taste? T) praised truffles as "diamonds in the kitchen". Europeans rank truffles alongside caviar and foie gras as "the three greatest delicacies in the world", which is one of the noble ingredients, especially the French-made black truffle (TubermelanosporumVitt.) and the Italian-made white truffle (TubermagnatumPico) have the highest evaluation.

truffle legend

According to legend, truffle is the daughter of lightning. The ancient Greeks and Romans believed that truffles had the magical effect of aphrodisiac, which added a mysterious and magical color to truffles. "Edible white diamonds" and "the taste of heaven …" are all used to describe white truffles.

white truffles are one of the most expensive foods in the world. White truffles, like diamonds, are rough and heavy in appearance before being processed, but once carved, they are as bright as beautiful diamonds. Marble-like lines, ivory patterns and intoxicating aroma can give people strong sensory stimulation.

In fact, truffles are a kind of natural fungi, which mainly grow under the soil near the roots of oak whiskers. But strangely, truffles can't be farmed artificially, and it's very difficult to find truffles, and only female pigs and dogs with strict training can smell them. It is said that the secret is that truffles contain alpha male hormones. It is believed that it is this smell that leads female animals to think that they are tracking their opposite sex partners.

sky-high truffles

The price of white truffles fluctuates every year,

but it is usually between $8 and $1,5 per pound (453g). The largest white truffle in history was found in 1951 and weighed about 4 pounds. At that time, it sold for 5, dollars. But $5, is a "sky-high price" for people who just finished World War II.

A piece of white truffle from Italy weighing 1 kg (2.2 lbs) has set a new world record. A restaurant owner in new york beat all his competitors in the fierce bidding for $41, and won the new Italian white truffle.

truffle legend

Truffles represent the most expensive luxury in the world, just as Cadillac is to cars, Versace is to fashion and chanel no.5 is to perfume. Truffles, which are a combination of breathtaking prices, mysterious and magical legends and the taste like a shower of rain, have always been the object of pursuit by luxury customers all over the world. They do not hesitate to spend a lot of money to kiss "Fangze".

In Tuscany, Italy, the famous main producing area of white truffles, Italy's first truffle museum will officially open on the 13th to welcome guests and tell visitors the legendary story of truffles.

Theme Museum

This truffle-themed museum is located in a castle built in the 13th century in Italy. The founder specially invited a pharmacist, a botanist and a chef to participate in the creation of this theme museum. The museum uses multimedia technology, exhibits, videos, interactive games and other ways to tell each visitor the history of truffles and reproduce the scene of modern truffle collection.

Among many exhibition projects, "Aroma Exhibition" is an exhibition that the founder is original and proud of. In this session, visitors can taste dozens of different varieties of truffles with their own unique fragrance.

As Franchini, the finance minister of Tuscany, said, "Truffles are not only a kind of food for us, but also a part of our culture ... This is not only a theme museum, but also a feast for the senses!" .

truffle news

1. Xinhuanet Hong Kong, November 16, 27 The truffle fungus, which is known as the "diamond in a delicious dish", was bought by an Italian female gourmet in Hong Kong for a record 95, Hong Kong dollars.

This 1.2kg white truffle fungus is much heavier than the common 4g fungus, and will be officially made into four main courses on 18th, which will be offered to buyers of white truffle fungus.

why are white truffles valuable? Experts say that this fungus has little medicinal value and will not do much good to the body after eating, mainly because it is difficult to find. Generally, the bacteria are all black, and the white truffle bacteria are even more precious.

Cen Baitao, an Italian chef who will cook white truffles on the 18th, said that the white truffles are sweet and fragrant, similar to herbs, so you just need to "cook" them, cut them into thin slices and spread them on the main course. He said that this precious fungus was first discovered in 195 and was a delicacy at the banquet.

2. In 28, the "King of Fungi" of the world was bought by Stanley Ho for HK$ 1.56 million.

Due to the impact of the global financial tsunami, the value of the white truffle fungus, which is known as the "white diamond", was inevitably affected. Last night, in the charity auction of white truffle fungus held in four cities around the world by satellite at the Novo Lisboa Hotel in Macau, this year's output weighed 1.8 kilograms, the largest of this year.

According to Sing Tao Daily, the 28 "International Italian White Truffle Charity Auction" was held at the Novo Lisboa Hotel in Macau last night, and it was held simultaneously in Macau, London, Rome and Abu Dhabi by satellite. This year, the King of Fungi, who produced the largest amount and weighed 1.8kg, appeared at the New Lisboa Hotel in Macau, becoming the most dazzling protagonist in the auction, attracting many rich people and celebrities in the city, such as movie star Jet Li. All the proceeds from the auction will be donated to charities, including Caritas Macau, Mothers' Association, Tongshantang and Macao Special Olympics.

The atmosphere of the satellite live auction was warm

As the "host family", Mr. Stanley Ho was present. In his speech, he expressed the hope that everyone would support the auction and enhance Macao's international status through the auction. He said with a smile, "The guests present tonight are all edible fungi, not hairy crabs. You can rest assured that you can be Accumulator and make more donations for Macao Accumulator."

The auction officially started at 1: p.m., and the atmosphere of the live auction and satellite live auction was warm. Mr. Stanley Ho took the lead by throwing 2 grams of white truffles at HK$ 2,. He continued to pursue a "king of bacteria" which was recently dug up in molise, central Italy, and produced the largest amount in the whole year. "King of Fungi" started with a base price of 5, US dollars, and the bidding atmosphere was warm. During this period, it was mainly fought between Stanley Ho and Abu Dhabi. After more than 15 bids, Stanley Ho finally won the king of white truffles for 1.56 million Hong Kong dollars, with an average price of 1,4 yuan per gram, which was lower than that of 3 yuan last year.

I wanted Mr. Stanley Ho, Abu Dhabi, to win a 1.5-kilogram king of white truffles for about HK$ 2.56 million last year, and to hold a grand dinner and dance to share his love for white truffles with the guests, which became a moment-long story. Last night, in addition to the auction of King Fungi, 16 smaller auctions of white truffles were also held in the four places, and all the participating guests enthusiastically bid for them. Macao even won eight, and together with the "King Fungi" of Stanley Ho, a * * * raised 1.83 million yuan, and the donations in the four places reached 2.22 million Hong Kong dollars.