What is a truffle? Why can it sell at a sky-high price?

Truffle, foie gras and caviar are also known as the "three treasures of the world". They are rich in protein, amino acids and other nutrients, and the price is unmatched. What is a truffle? Why can it sell at sky-high prices?

What is a truffle?

Truffles are classified into ascomycetes, Mycopodiaceae, and truffles. There are about a dozen different species, usually annual fungi, most of which grow in the roots of trees, oaks, and oaks. Mainly distributed in Italy, France, Spain, China, New Zealand and other countries.

Truffle body such as block, when young, the interior is white, uniform texture, mature into a dark black, with a lighter color marble texture. The most famous truffles are Italian white truffles and French black truffles. Italian white truffle is one of the most valuable, known as "white gold", usually eaten raw, sliced with eggs, macaroni or salad. French black winter truffle is called "black diamond", and the famous cream truffle soup is made from this truffle.

Second, why can truffles sell at sky-high prices?

At present, the price of truffles is still very high. Yunnan pine truffles from Kunming, Dali, Qujing, Nujiang, Baoshan and other producing areas are generally 300-500 yuan / kg, while wild truffles in France generally sell for 5000 RMB7000. The main reasons for the high price are as follows.

1. The growth environment is harsh. Truffle is very demanding for the growth environment, it can not carry out photosynthesis, nor can it survive independently, it must rely on the symbiotic relationship between tree roots to obtain nutrients. If there is a slight change in the pH of the sun, water or soil, it will not grow and cannot be cultivated artificially.

two。 It is difficult to collect. Truffles grow below the surface and are very difficult to collect, resulting in very little yield. This is why truffles are rare and precious.

3. The edible value is high. The main components of truffle are protein, amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, trace elements, brain glycosides, triterpenes, androsterone, truffle acid, sterols, truffle polypeptides and so on. The value of eating is very high, and regular consumption is good for your health.

5. It has a long history. The history of truffle consumption is excellent, and the earliest records of truffles date back to 350 BC. There is also the legend that Napoleon ate truffles, which made truffles even more mysterious.

Truffle is actually a seasoning ingredient, and its high price is mainly due to its popularity and low production. If there are conditions, you can eat truffles properly.