Truffle Lust & Puppy Love

The first time I smelled a truffle, it reached inside me and made me want it more than anything in the world. With that first whiff, it was as if the entire forest opened and invited me into its deepest, most profound essence. Yet once a truffle is unearthed, it only has a short window before it becomes a scentless lump. Truffles are a living metaphor for desire: rare, mysterious and ephemeral. That first whiff led me to my truffle dog, Flora Jayne, an Italian Lagotto Romagnolo, that’s born and bred for truffle hunting. Flora Jayne and I have been exploring forests in search of this seductive tuber and underground driver of forest ecosystems. She’s got a talent, and I have an obsession.

Truffles exist ??" wild and cultivated - on every continent except Antarctica. This talk and visual presentation will briefly trace the history of truffles, from manna from heaven in the Bible ??" which were most likely desert truffles ??" to their roles as sacred, outlawed, and hyper valued. The truffle’s vital role in the forest ecosystem will be discussed, along with how the planting of truffle orchards makes them a regenerative species. I’ll also speak about the Renaissance they are currently enjoying. We’ll then segue into a talk about culinary techniques for truffles and if appropriate, Flora Jayne can come along and do a truffle hunting demonstration.

Speaker: Maria Finn

Attend in person or online.  Lecture starts at 7:30 here