Would you spend $117,260.25 or 103K Euro on a mushroom? That’s how much the winner of an Italian auction paid for a 1.8-pound white truffle.
Umberto Bombana (Michelin-starred chef) purchased the outrageous ingredient at the Alba White Truffle Fair.
Six figures for a member the mushroom family that is mostly used as seasoning. Truffles’ unique flavor is often added to pasta, pizza, or egg dishes.
Why is white truffle so expensive? It all boils down to scarcity.
Black truffles are still very expensive but can be grown and farmed. White truffles can be difficult to cultivate. They are currently only available for hunting, dog training, and pig breeding.
They are usually located near the roots of hardwood tree trees, a few inches below ground.
White truffles also have a short harvesting season, which runs from October to December.