Even 30 Years Ago It Was Pig Feed... Thanks to China, It Became the 'Diamond Underground'

'China Revealed as the Largest Exporter of Songro Mushrooms'

Truffles, known as one of the world's top three ingredients and nicknamed the "diamond of the underground" due to their high value, were reportedly once considered nothing more than pig feed just 30 years ago. On the 25th, Hong Kong's South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported, "According to the General Administration of Customs of China, China exported 32.5 tons of frozen and fresh truffles last year, marking a 58.6% increase compared to the previous year," adding, "Until China recognized their value in 1994, truffles were merely feed for pigs."

Truffle [Image source=Pixabay]

In 2022, China surpassed countries like the Netherlands and Belgium to become the world's largest exporter of truffles. Chinese truffles account for about 80% of the world's production, with Yunnan Province alone holding 60% of that share. Yunnan produces approximately 300 tons of truffles annually, which is about ten times the annual production of France. Truffle prices vary depending on the region. Currently, the commercially most valuable white truffle (from the Alba region in Piemonte, Italy) sells for over 3 million KRW per kilogram, while black summer truffles are priced in the 1 million KRW per kilogram range.

On the other hand, the price of Chinese truffles is about one-eighth that of French truffles, leading to reports of unscrupulous dealers mixing Chinese truffles with French ones. SCMP explained, "Chinese black truffles share 96% similarity in their genetic sequence with French truffles, but inconsistent quality is recognized as a limitation."

Truffles, primarily used in Western cuisine, are considered one of the world's three greatest delicacies alongside caviar (sturgeon roe) and foie gras (goose liver). However, in China, truffles were regarded as mere pig feed until their value was recognized in 1994. Dogs and pigs, known for their keen sense of smell, react to the chemical compound androstenone found in truffles. Because of this, they have been used to locate truffles hidden underground in deep forest soils.

The world's most prized truffles are the black truffles from P?rigord in southern France and the white truffles from Piemonte, Italy. Notably, a single 1.5 kg white truffle set a record in 2007 when it was sold for $330,000 (approximately 370 million KRW at the time), marking the highest price ever recorded.