How Incredibly Rare And Expensive White Truffles Go From Italy's Forests To Fine Restaurants Everywhere [PHOTOS]

White truffles are notorious for causing a frenzy among foodies and restaurateurs alike.

They're incredibly difficult to find, only harvested in the autumn, and have been known to fetch some shockingly high prices — back in October, Russian oligarch Vladimir Potanin bought four pounds of the fungi for $95,000. 

The white truffle has chosen an interesting place to grow, too. It thrives in the damp forests of the Langhe, a hilly area in the southern part of Italy's northwestern Piedmont region. The small town of Alba is considered the capital of the region, and thus, the capital of Italian white truffle production. 

Reuters photographer Stefano Rellandini visited Alba during their annual truffle auction to capture a bit of the mystical process. 

-Here's an up-close shot of a slice of white truffle. Typically chefs and truffle hunters are on the lookout for something much bigger. --The sun sets over the hills of Serralunga d'Alba, a town in the region of Italy known as the capital of white truffles.--Ezio Costa, 66, searches for truffles in the woods in Monchiero, near Alba. Costa's family have searched for truffles for four generations. -
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
 
 
 
  Reported by Business Insider 1 day ago.