All About Truffles
History of the Truffle
The history of truffles can be traced back to ancient times when some people believed truffles were created by the gods. According to Plutarch's legend, truffles would be born as bolts of lightning struck the earth.
For centuries, people have been puzzled by the elusiveness of the truffle, never quite understanding how to grow them. However, with today's techniques for DNA testing, soil analysis, and innoculation, we now have the tools we need to grow truffles in a controlled environment. Through science and careful management, farmers can stave off the threat of drought and disease forces that have crippled truffle production since its peak in the early 1900s.
While the demand for truffles remains high, the world's largest truffle producing country, France, has seen a catastrophic decline in annual production—a fall from 1,000 tons to less than 50 tons today. Economists estimate that the market would consume up to 50 times the current global output.