By Jamie Martin
Scientists and citizen scientists, using trained truffle dogs, recently discovered two new truffle species in North America. Named Tuber canirevelatum and Tuber cumberlandense, these truffles offer promising culinary and economic benefits.
T. canirevelatum, named after truffle dogs like Monza, produces an aroma enriched with compounds like dimethyl sulfide, contributing to its savory garlic scent. Meanwhile, T. cumberlandense thrives symbiotically with white oaks, a feature Maker’s Mark distillery is leveraging to cultivate this species alongside reforesting white oaks for whiskey barrels.
The research team used advanced DNA analysis to confirm the identity of these fungi. Gregory Bonito, the lead researcher, noted their similarity to European truffles. “Receiving these samples was very exciting, especially because they looked very similar to the well-known edible European truffles,” shared researcher Alassane Sow.
Valued for their unique aromas and culinary applications, truffles are a sought-after delicacy. These discoveries highlight the potential to cultivate native North American truffles, offering a sustainable alternative to importing European varieties.
Truffle dogs play a crucial role in locating these underground fungi. Bonito emphasized their importance - “If you have $20,000 of truffles growing underground, you need to find them before they perish, so the dogs are very important.”
The findings underscore the importance of collaborations between scientists, the public, and truffle dogs in uncovering valuable fungi that could transform North American agriculture and forestry.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National