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Fungus among us: Bozeman scientists patent novel process for growing truffles in a lab
The invention is significant for the wallets of truffle consumers, reducing the process of growing truffles from around 10 years to a matter of months and drastically increasing their affordability. (About $60 to $100 and ounce in Europe for top truffles)
Gary Strobel, an MSU professor emeritus of plant pathology, partnered with Bozeman-based Black Boar Truffle Company to do the work that led to the patent.
“To our knowledge, no one in the world has used this method to grow these valuable fungi,” said Strobel, who is 87.
It is in the nature of truffles that prices fluctuate so much, but it is also what makes the search and purchase of the precious underground mushroom such an attractive experience. Below in the example you can see the national average of truffle prices for the two most sought-after species:
Fine white truffle (Tuber Magnatum Pico) – from 2.100 €/kg to 3.500 €/kg
Finest black truffle (Tuber Melanosporum Vitt) – from 350 €/kg to 600 €/kg
