Kalahari kultivation

Although Kalahari truffles are not highly valued outside Namibia, there are signs that this might be about to change. AllAfrica.com reports that scientists are looking for funds to research the truffle’s partner plants — which they say is the “wild melon fruit”. Other Terfezia spp have been successfully grown in truffières in Spain, but with a different host — the rock rose, so it will be an interesting project if it gets underway. If they can ship fresh truffles up to the Middle East, they could be on to a nice little earner, but they might be in for a shock if they think they can command the same price as Italian whites…