Posted on 11/14/2005 9:42:34 AM PST by NormsRevenge
LONDON (AFP) - The snob value of the truffle, the rare, delicate-tasting fungi so beloved of chefs, has hit new heights in London with a single specimen selling for 110,000 dollars.
The world record price was paid at auction by an unnamed buyer in Hong Kong for a rare white Alba truffle, a sort found only in Piedmont, Italy, for two months of the year.
Weighing in at 1.2 kilogrammes (2.6 pounds) -- it was described by auctioneers Christies as "the size of a small handbag" -- the truffle was among several sold at an auction held in the posh St James's area of central London.
Bidders enjoyed a lavish, truffle-themed dinner before the sale began, with other participants in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Italy joining in by satellite link-up, the Daily Telegraph reported.
After frenzied bidding, the giant white truffle went for 63,000 pounds (95,000 euros, 110,000 dollars), with the buyer identified as being in Hong Kong, The Independent newspaper added.
The price smashed the previous record for a single truffle -- 28,000 pounds paid for an 850 gramme example at a similar auction in London last year.
The snob value of the truffle, the rare, delicate-tasting fungi so beloved of chefs, has hit new heights in London with a single specimen selling for 110,000 dollars. The world record price was paid at auction by an unnamed buyer in Hong Kong for a rare white Alba truffle, picture, a sort found only in Piedmont, Italy, for two months of the year(AFP/Giuseppe Cacace)
Mania-wise, tulips are a lot prettier. But then, so is San Diego real estate.
Ok, How about 'roo stoo instead ;-?
The manager of an Australian kangaroo meat supplier, displays packets of kangaroo meat in 1999. Australia has launched a competition to find a new way of describing kangaroo meat which will be less offensive to diners sensitive about eating the national symbol(AFP/File/Torsten Blackwood)
I'd rather have a whole heap of morels. They're free if you know where to find them.
Who gives a rat's hindquarters? Who gives a rat's hindquarters about the price of caviar? If some clown wants to pay $55,000 a pound for mold,more power to him.
Morels, and puffballs are wonderful and free. Hubby and I would drop them right into the melted butter, saute them, and eat them straight out of the pan, jabbing each other with forks if we thought the other was getting too many. We NEVER had enough to serve guests. My mouth is watering at the memory. . .
I have my secret morel and puffball spots that I won't tell anyone about until I am on my deathbed, if then. LOL!
I had to be married to my wife for 7 years before trusted me enough to tell me where to look. A good mushroom spot is a secret worth more than gold around these parts.
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