First commercially-grown BLACK TRUFFLES for KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa) - Las primeras TRUFAS NEGRAS cultivadas comercialmente en KwaZulu-Natal (Sudáfrica)

The very first black Périgord truffle grown commercially in KwaZulu-Natal, a 97g specimen found on Max Bastard’s Willowdale Farm in the Kokstad area. Photo: Courtesy of Max Bastard 

There has been much excitement on Max Bastard’s Willowdale Farm near Kokstad in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), following the recent discovery of three black Périgord truffles (Tuber melanosporum). These were the first commercially-grown specimens in KZN.

The first-ever black Périgord truffle to be commercially-grown in South Africa was discovered on a farm near Dullstroom in Mpumalanga in August 2014. This was followed by a similar discovery on a Western Cape farm in August 2015. Bastard’s three truffles were produced in a 20 ha orchard of host trees inoculated with black Périgord truffle spores four-and-a-half years ago.

“Black Périgord truffles are prized for their unique, pungent, earthy aroma, and [are] utilised in the best kitchens and restaurants around the world. They are one of the most expensive culinary ingredients globally, fetching up to US$2,000/Kg (R30,700/Kg),” said Bastard.

Prof Alessandra Zambonelli of the University of Bologna in Italy, told Farmer’s Weekly when the first commercially-grown black truffle was discovered in South Africa, that successful commercial production could be achieved in this country if sufficient host tree orchards were planted. These host trees also needed to be of good quality, and the areas selected for truffle production had to be suitable.
Source: Lloyd Phillips (http://www.farmersweekly.co.za)