Truffle hog
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The truffle hog or "truffle pig" is a working animal and the most popular and the classical method for extraction of truffles from temperate forests in Europe and North America.
In 1875, a truffle hog could cost up to 200 francs[1]. A skilled truffler could more than make up for this investment due to the high price of truffles on the gourmet food market. Today it is common for dogs (known as "Truffle hounds") as well as truffle hogs to be used in the gathering of truffles because hogs have been known to eat too many truffles in the field.[2] However, purists argue that the swine have more sensitive noses and their particular taste for truffles leads to a more devoted beast. It is frequent for the hog to be more of a family pet of the truffler.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Mammilia, their various forms and habits (1875) - Page 174 Google Books
- ^ "Snuffling for truffles in Åland" Helsingin Sanomat, International ed. [1]
