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Dogs Help Identify Two New Truffle Species in the US

Madison

We’ve all heard of dogs doing amazing things, from guiding the visually impaired to sniffing out danger. But did you know some of the best good boys and girls are helping unlock nature's hidden treasures? In an exciting new discovery, dogs working with researchers from Michigan State University (MSU) and the University of Florida have just sniffed out two new species of truffles in the U.S.


truffle hunting dogs

On Thursday, MSU researchers shared their groundbreaking findings with Food & Wine, revealing that these incredible canine companions, along with a group of citizen scientists, unearthed these truffles in Tennessee. The species are Tuber canirevelatum, aka the “dog-found” truffle (named after Monza, the dog who discovered it), and Tuber cumberlandense, which is named after the Cumberland Plateau where another truffle-detecting dog, Luca, helped make the find.


But why does this matter? Truffles, those rare and often pricey fungi, are known for their distinctive flavors and scents, coveted by chefs and food lovers alike. These new discoveries could significantly shape North America's truffle-growing future.


According to Gregory Bonito, associate professor at MSU, "Receiving these samples was very exciting, especially because they looked very similar to the well-known edible European truffles Tuber macrosporum and Tuber aestivum." His team used DNA analysis to confirm the species and their aromatic compounds. Bonito hopes these findings spark interest in cultivating truffles on this side of the Atlantic.


truffles

Interestingly, T. cumberlandense has been harvested and sold for years under other names, but the research team’s analysis finally confirmed it as a "previously undescribed species native to North America." It’s so exciting, in fact, that the Maker’s Mark distillery in Kentucky is now working to cultivate this U.S.-native truffle. Their goal? Pairing the distinctive flavors of this truffle with their famous white oak barrels—and maybe even creating truffle-infused whiskey!


But the real MVPs here aren’t the scientists—they’re the truffle dogs. "If you have $20,000 of truffles growing underground, you need to find them before they perish," says Bonito. That’s why these specially trained pups are crucial in truffle farming. With their keen noses, they help find these valuable fungi before they’re lost to time and the earth.


As we dive deeper into the world of truffles, it’s clear that there’s still a lot we don’t know. Bonito believes many more native species are waiting to be discovered, and that’s where these "good boys and girls" come in. Their noses could help uncover even more treasures in the future.


So next time you see a dog, remember—some of them aren’t just fetching sticks; they’re sniffing out future truffle fortunes. Somebody go give these hard-working pups a treat—they've earned it!

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