White truffles are a rare and expensive delicacy mostly found in Italy, especially in the north-western region of Piedmont, renowned for its wines and hazelnuts.
They fetch around 300-450 euros per 100 grams. One reason the price is so high is because these ‘white gold’ mushrooms are becoming increasingly rare. Over the past 25 years, there has been a 30 percent decrease in truffle supply, and in some places, truffles have disappeared altogether. But conservationists are determined to save the truffle.
(first broadcast on Living Planet, Deutsche Welle Radio, 24th November, 2016)