France surprises the world with harvest of rare white truffle that are mainly found in Italy
The price of tuber magnatum normally surpasses $360 for just 100 grams.
By AFP |
iStock
White truffles are nearly impossible to transplant to climates that do not have the same soil, fauna or weather conditions.
GRENOBLE, FRANCE: French researchers announced Tuesday that they had succeeded in cultivating the rare white truffles mainly found in Italy, a breakthrough that could spur more widespread efforts to grow the prized delicacy.
The species, tuber magnatum, is the pride of Italy's Alba region, with prices at its annual autumn auction that regularly surpass 300 euros for just 100 grams ($360 for 3.5 ounces).
Like their French cousins, the famed black truffles of the Perigord region, white truffles are nearly impossible to transplant to climates that do not have the same soil, fauna or weather conditions.
But several years ago Bruno Robin, a French plant nursery owner, teamed up with France's national agriculture research institute (INRAE) to start selling saplings complete with white truffle spores.
There was no guarantee of success as farmers waited years for the fungal network to grow and start producing - but over the past two years a handful have been now been harvested in southwest France. France currently produces around 30 tonnes of truffles each year. (In pic: White and black truffles) "It's the first time that tuber magnatum have been harvested at a plantation outside the truffle's geographical area of distribution," Robin told journalists during a video conference.
ADVERTISEMENT
He hopes to sell "a few thousand" of the truffle-tree saplings this year, which could see French farmers cultivating a culinary gem usually found in small areas of northern Italy or central Europe.
"It's a major development for us," Michel Tournayre, president of the French federation of truffle growers, said during the video call -- not least because white truffles command prices nearly three times higher than black truffles.
France currently produces around 30 tonnes of truffles each year.
Planning To Order In? Experts Decode How Safe Is Food Delivery In The Pandemic
1/4
With Covid precautions still in place, experts weigh in on whether it’s fine to get food delivered home.
During the lockdown, meal times take on a whole new importance. The question of ‘What should we eat?’ is stuck on repeat. But what if you’re craving pizza, Chinese or Lebanese takeouts from your favourite restaurant? Is it safe to order?
With Covid precautions still in place, experts weigh in on whether it’s fine to get food delivered home.During the lockdown, meal times take on a whole new importance. The question of ‘What should we..
Read More
Whether or not we should be eating from outside and using food delivery apps is on everyone’s mind — especially those doing the cooking. The verdict: It’s a two-way street that you need to approach with some caution. “Safety precautions need to be followed by both parties. If the food handler is infected and handles anything without following precautions, then you are exposed to the risk of infection,” says Dr Deepak Parashar of health service provider Healthians.
Dr Atish Laddad, founder of the doctor tech platform Docterz, adds that contracting infections and viruses through the medium of food delivery, packaging or the food itself is marginally low. “The prime worry is diffusion of infection from person to person — in other words getting exposed to individuals who are symptomatic,” he says. However, he adds that this does not imply that you should not take any precautionary measures when ordering food from out.
Whether or not we should be eating from outside and using food delivery apps is on everyone’s mind — especially those doing the cooking. The verdict: It’s a two-way street that you need to approach w..
Read More
When it comes to what to order, Dr Avnish Seth, director, gastroenterology at the Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurugram, suggests ordering cooked food over salads and fresh juices. Also, reheat the food before consuming it. And for transactions, he recommends to keep exposure as low as possible.
“If you have to pay by cash and get change back, take the leftover money in a bag. If a credit/debit card has been used, wipe with alcohol and place in a zip lock bag,” he says.
When it comes to what to order, Dr Avnish Seth, director, gastroenterology at the Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurugram, suggests ordering cooked food over salads and fresh juices. Also, reh..
Read More
First, find out what measures the restaurant is taking in terms of hygiene and packaging. Also, now may not be the time to try out places you are unfamiliar with. Dr Pritam Moon, internal medicine consultant Wockhardt Hospital at Mira Road, Mumbai, adds, “The delivery person has to have taken enough precautions such as wearing gloves, sanitising his hands and covering his mouth as well.”
If you are ordering food, one of the main preventive measures you need to take is keeping a distance and limiting your contact with the delivery person. Dr Vikrant Shah, consulting physician, intensivist and infectious disease specialist at Zen Multispeciality Hospital in Mumbai, suggests, “Wear gloves before han-dling the package. Wipe the package before opening it. Sanitise or wash your hands after opening the package. And then, dispose of the package properly and wash your hands.”
First, find out what measures the restaurant is taking in terms of hygiene and packaging. Also, now may not be the time to try out places you are unfamiliar with. Dr Pritam Moon, internal medicine co..
