Faiza Tehseen

Black Périgord Truffle (BPT), the rarest and costliest delicacy of South Waziristan district, is waiting to be presented to the global market. “The local people can earn a sustainable livelihood by getting the right price for this seasonal spore that grows up to 20 centimetres under the ground. Awareness is also important for its value addition and marketing,” said Murshad Masud Qazi, a social activist. Talking to WealthPK, he said Badar Valley in South Waziristan hosts this black culinary treasure. “The BPT or tuber melanosporum found there is the dearest, yummiest and finest in aroma. Truffles have two types, white and black. White truffles are less popular than the black ones. Normally, BPT gains the size of 15 centimetres and weighs between 100 to 150 grams. It can be differentiated from common mushrooms due to its pungent smell and meat-like flavour.”  “Truffles can be stored unwashed for about 30 days in a dark place.

The washed ones can be stored in a refrigerator, and they must be cooked as early as possible, or they would begin to rot,” explained the social activist.  Qazi said if black truffles were exported to international markets, they could easily fetch $200 per piece. “It is a rare and environment-friendly organic product that can be used for medicinal purposes as well,” he added.  Talking to WealthPK about the value and climatic conditions necessary for the growth of BPT, Dr Umer Iqbal, a senior scientific officer at the Crop Disease Research Institute of National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), said that normally mushrooms grew in organic matter above ground. However, he said truffles belonging to the family ascomycete also grew underground. “BPT is a native species to southern Europe. Truffles do not grow everywhere in the woods. They grow underground near or right beneath the roots of trees like oak, beech, poplar, or pine. Their seed is transported through animals that make holes in the earth to eat them,” he explained.

Iqbal maintained that the cold environment of South Waziristan is ideal for the growth of black truffles as pine trees make up 20% of the forest cover, allowing BPT to grow underneath their roots. “Black truffles can be preserved in both dried and fresh forms. To keep them in their natural fresh form, they are stored in brine water with necessary preservatives.” He continued that dogs easily trace black truffles due to their pungent smell. Truffles can be grown in simulation, but their natural growth is the best. The growth area should be kept safe from trotting or trespassing, added Iqbal. The current international market of BPT ranges from $1,000 to $2,000 per pound. By taking 2022 as the base year, when its market size was $295.7 million, it is assumed that this size will reach $496.6 million at a compound annual growth rate of 9.0% by 2028.  BPT is not only used to add or garnish different cuisines, it is also used to cure many chronic diseases.

Credit: INP-WealthPk