Truffle discovery could cut ‘diamonds of the kitchen’ price

Known as the diamonds of the kitchen, for their scarcity and price, truffles are an undoubtedly sought after ingredient.

“Pound for pound, truffle is one of the most expensive foods you can buy,” says a spokesperson for EHL Insights.

And their popularity continues to grow, with the global market value currently sitting at $583.9m and a projected CAGR of 7.3% (Grand View Research).

“The market is experiencing substantial expansion, propelled by a convergence of factors that cater to a wide range of consumer preferences and industry demands,” says a spokesperson for Grand View Research. “As gourmet cuisine and fine dining lifestyles gain increasing popularity, truffles play a pivotal role in elevating the flavour and aroma of these dishes, making them even more alluring to consumers.”

Now researchers have identified not one but two new species of truffle. So, how will this affect cost? And will greater availability of this luxury item drive sales up or down?

The current scarcity of truffles makes continues to push their price up (Getty Images)New truffle species discoveredA research team, comprised of scientists from Michigan State University, the University of Florida and citizen scientists, along with their specially trained truffle-sniffing dogs, made the discovery in the Appalachian Mountains.

The first species, Tuber canirevelatum, which translates to ‘dog-found truffle’, was named in tribute to the critical role of truffle dogs in its discovery. Monza, a skilled truffle dog, located this species with the help of her trainer, Lois Martin.

The second species, Tuber cumberlandense, was named after the Cumberland Plateau, where it was uncovered by Margaret Townsend and her truffle dog, Luca.

What do they taste like?Truffles traditionally have an earthy and nutty flavour but have also been described as being musky and gamey.

“The truffle flavour is so special that it is difficult to define,” says a spokesperson for truffle harvester, Laumont. “Everyone feels different sensations when tasting truffles, and this is precisely what makes truffles such a special food.”

So, how do these newly discovered species of truffle measure up?

It appears they’re very similar indeed.

“Our analyses show that each has aromatic compounds found in some of the most valuable truffle species,” says Alassane Sow, who helped to identify the new species.

In particular, the Tuber cumberlandense, was found to contain dimethyl sulfide, a compound found in the Périgord black truffle and the Piedmont white truffle. For context, the price per kilo of a black truffle currently comes in at around £1.300/kg, which means a 50g piece would cost around £65 (Laumont).

However, there are subtle differences. The researchers found that Tuber canirevelatum was enriched in compounds, such as dimethyl sulfide and methyl 1-propenyl sulfide, which contribute to an intense savoury garlic aroma.

Finding truffles takes time and patience. It’s not a process that can be rushed. (Getty Images)What opportunities does this create for the food industry?Due to their rarity, truffles are expensive and highly prized in the culinary world.

“In international markets, fresh truffles are sold for hundreds and thousands of dollars per kilogram,” says Gregory Bonito, who also helped to identify the new species.

This makes the discovery of two new truffle species all the more exciting for the food industry, potentially opening the door for a wider variety of products made using the prized fungus.

It could also help to push the price down, as the biggest driver of high truffle prices, is their rarity.

Could familiarity breed contempt?Okay, that’s perhaps a little dramatic, but it’s no secret that part of the appeal of truffles is their exclusivity.

“Truffles are a rare and exquisite ingredient,” says a spokesperson for Aroma Truffle. “While they may be expensive, the extraordinary taste and luxurious experience they offer make them a prized possession for chefs and food lovers alike.”

So, could making them more easily available take away from their appeal?

The short answer is yes, some consumers may be less excited by the prospect of eating truffles, if they become readily available to all. However, even with the discovery of these new species, truffles are still hard to find.

“Finding truffles is a labour-intensive process,” says Aroma Truffle. “Truffle hunting requires skill and patience, often involving long hours of searching in dense forests. The limited harvest season also adds to their exclusivity and price.”

Furthermore, fans of their unique flavour will continue to seek them out, regardless of their perceived exclusivity.

“Truffles are some of the most mysterious and alluring fungi on the planet,” says Benjamin Lemmond, a member of the Smith lab in Florida. “They live their lives underground, out of sight, but people all around the world are eager to find them and enjoy their unique culinary qualities.

And the unique flavour of the newly discovered species could serve to add greater appeal to the already desirable ingredient.

Truffles can be added to a wide variety of foods, including pizzas (Getty Images)Source: Tuber cumberlandense and T. canirevelatum, two new edible Tuber species from eastern North America discovered by truffle-hunting dogs

Published online: 31 October 2024

DOI: 10.1080/00275514.2024.2407755

Authors: Alassane Sow, Benjamin Lemmond, Bryan Rennick et al.