Since 2004, the first truffle market of the year takes place in Rouret, in the Alpes-Maritimes. Many truffle lovers were there last weekend to taste the Tuber Melanosporum and visit the “truffière”. Prices of the Tuber Melanosporum, otherwise known as the Black Truffle, can be record breaking depending on the season- it is even called the Black Diamond sometimes ! This year, it reaches about €1,000/kilo.
For twenty years now, Rouret has a testing field which the public can visit. The precious mushroom can be found using dogs, pigs and even flies. Truffle production is like a fraternity- they harvest a taste for secrets. It is therefore impossible to know the exact quantity produced or the profits generated from harvest. The only figure given away : 50% of French truffles are produced in the PACA region.