3 reasons why truffles are so expensive.

Image Credit: TheKitchenCommunity

Truffles are edible fungus of the family Tuberaceae. Truffles, unlike other fungi, grow underground. They are served in small amounts at restaurants as delicacies.

What do truffles look like?

Truffles are small and look like lumpy potatoes. They typically weigh 30-60 grams and have a musky and pungent aroma. The colour ranges from white to black.

Why are truffles so expensive?

Truffles are one of the most expensive food items in the world. The high cost of truffles is due to three main reasons.

Reason #1: Difficulty in finding truffles

Since truffles grow underground, they are not visible to the naked eyes. Currently, the only way to find them is with the help of an animal. Traditionally, pigs were used to sniff and find the truffles but nowadays, they are replaced by dogs as they used to eat some of the truffles.

Reason #2: Difficulty in cultivation

The next factor responsible for its high cost is the difficulty faced by the farmers to cultivate it. Truffles require very specific atmospheric conditions to grow. Cultivating truffles is a thing of patience because it takes six to eleven years before they are ready to be harvested.

Reason #3: Very short shelf life

The third factor that contributes to their high cost is their very short shelf life. The truffles last only around 1 to 2 weeks under optimal conditions after they are located and removed from the soil.