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[denizaksulu]

Cyprus truffles now official
By George Psyllides Published on October 5, 2010 +
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TRUFFLES, the highly desirable fungi, have been discovered in Cyprus and authenticated, the mycological association said yesterday.

The truffles were located in spring with the help of a specially-trained dog in areas with limestone in the Limassol and Paphos district, Thomas Kyriacou, chairman of the association told the Cyprus Mail, without disclosing the exact location.

Not all truffles are edible, but certain types are highly prized for their unique pungent flavour, and due to their rarity can fetch huge prices, especially in France and Italy.

This year, spring truffles have been selling for €250-350 per kilo, while winter truffles can go for €650 to €1,100 per kilo.

Kyriacou said both edible and non-edible truffles were found.

The quantities found were not large, Kyriacou said, but “the fact is that they exist, which means there are prospects.”

Truffles are the fruit of subterranean Tuber and Terfezia fungi, which grow among the roots of certain types of trees.

Like all fungi, they lack chlorophyll, so they cannot process the sugars and starches necessary for their own survival. To make up for this, they attach themselves to certain plants types of tree and bush – favouring oak and beech trees – in a relationship called “mycorrhizal symbiosis”, which benefits both fungus and host.

This process lends itself to attempts at cultivation, whereby the roots of young trees – olive trees in the local experiment – are impregnated with truffle spores.

Contrary to various myths surrounding the elusive fruit, truffles can be cultivated, with the first successful attempts being recorded in 1808.

Truffle hunters in Italy and France use pigs and mixed-breed dogs to sniff out truffles, as both have a highly-developed sense of smell, are intelligent, and can be trained easily. Dogs are preferred to pigs, because pigs love to eat the truffles they find.

The full findings will be presented by the mycological association to the media on Friday.

The association is a non-governmental organisation whose main aim is to study, record, protect and manage wild fungi as well as educate people concerning the recognition and consumption of wild mushrooms.



http://www.cyprus-mail.com/cyprus/cypru ... l/20101005

[CBBB]

Excuse me, I have to go and train a dog!

[Oracle]

Oops ... Did I accidentally disseminate a few spores?

[denizaksulu]

Oops ... Did I accidentally disseminate a few spores?

I thought it 'right up your street', but am surprised they are found in Cyprus.

You may have introduced the spores from your world - wide forays.