The world of gastronomy witnessed a groundbreaking event in December 2007 when Stanley Ho purchased the most expensive truffle at the Macau charity auction for a staggering US$330,000. Ho and his wife bid by phone to secure the truffle, making it a historic moment in culinary auctions.
With the labor-intensive hunt for truffles, it requires skill and experience to unearth such a priceless food. The high price for truffles is no surprise because the demand often exceeds the supply. Because of how scarce it is, the truffle is one of the most sought-after products in the world.
Discovered in wondrous Tuscan, Italy, the extraordinary truffle weighed about 1.5 kilograms – one of the largest specimens yet. Known for its distinct and intense aroma and absolutely exquisite flavor, the white truffle is truly a prized possession for anyone. It is desired by the best chefs and gourmands, in the hopes of elevating their dishes with the truffle’s world class quality.
White Truffle
Fresh white truffles range in color from cream to mustard yellow and typically weigh between 15g and 100g, but can weigh up to a kilo. Slicing reveals a cream or fawn background complemented by distinct white marbling. Celebrated for their complex, garlicky aroma and luxurious flavor, they’re best enjoyed shaved over a rich, creamy dish. To ensure freshness, consume within a week of harvesting. These truffles are also known as Tartufo Bianco or Tuber Magnatum Pico.
The white truffle, also known as Tuber Magnatum Pico, is primarily collected by trained sniffer dogs from oak and hazelnut tree roots in northern Italian regions like Piedmont, Le Marche, and Tuscany from late September to mid-December.
In an interview with Gulf News, Estelle Michel Vesela, General Manager of La Petite Maison Abu Dhabi, explains that training a good truffle hunting dog takes at least six months of rigorous training, often more, and these dogs are highly valued. The cost of a well-trained dog can be around €7,000, but this investment is worthwhile as a skilled dog can uncover up to 120 kilos of truffles annually, yielding substantial returns.
Historic Sale
The historic sale was made at an international auction with bidders from all over the world buying for the chance to claim it as their culinary treasure. It was simultaneously auctioned in Macau, London, and Florence. In attendance were the affluent collectors, prominent chefs, and food enthusiasts who were looking forward to watching history being made.
After a nerve-wracking bidding war, the winning bid was from Stanley Ho, a world renowned Macau casino mogul. At an astounding US $330,000, Ho secured the highest bid through a phone call and surpassed previous records of luxurious truffles sold. It was later reported that Ho added the truffle to his private collection of prized delicacies.
Truly, it was a defining moment in the culinary industry because it became a step towards the pursuit of dining at its finest. The legacy of the sale of the world’s most expensive truffle became a symbol of indulgence, luxury, and satisfaction with food.
From a truffle, the world witnessed how people will go to extraordinary lengths to possess and experience the finest things in life.
