A captivating exploration into the secretive and sensuous world of truffles, the elusive food that has captured hearts, imaginations, and palates worldwide-now in paperback. The scent of one freshly unearthed white truffle in Barolo was all it took to lead Rowan Jacobsen down a rabbit hole into a world of secretive hunts, misty woods, black-market deals, obsessive chefs, quixotic scientists, muddy dogs, maddening smells, and some of the most memorable meals ever created. Truffles attract dreamers, schemers, and sensualists. People spend years training dogs to find them underground. They plant forests of oaks and wait a decade for truffles to appear. They pay $6,000 a pound to possess them. They turn into quivering puddles in their presence. Why? Truffle Hound is the fascinating account of Rowan's quest to find out, a journey that would lead him from Italy to Istria, Hungary, Spain, England, and North America. Both an entertaining odyssey and a manifesto, Truffle Hound demystifies truffles-and then remystifies them, freeing them from their gilded cage and returning them to their roots as a sacred offering from the forest. It helps people understand why they respond so strongly to that crazy smell, shows them there's more to truffles than they ever imagined, and gives them all the tools they need to take their own truffle love to the next level. Deeply informed, unabashedly passionate, rakishly readable, Truffle Hound will spark America's next great culinary passion. “Both an eloquent and sensuous treatise on truffles and the enthralling story of his obsessive quest… The real delicacy here, though, is the arresting prose used to convey his reverence and awe.” ― Publishers Weekly, starred review “A Mark Kurlansky–esque romp through the science, history, and culture.... Fans of pungent flavors-and pungent prose-will enjoy this mouthwatering grand tour of a culinary treasure.” ― Kirkus Reviews, starred review “ Truffle Hound , like a truffle, charms by seducing us.” ― Mark Kurlansky “You'll leave Truffle Hound understanding why people feel so strongly about truffles and how to appreciate the extraordinary fungi.” ― Veranda, "25 Best New Books To Cozy Up With This Fall" “A deep dive into all things truffle…well written and full of interesting characters and fascinating facts.” ― Library Journal “A worldwide catalog of ttruffle resources invites exploration, and some recipes give ideas for using the bounty.” ― Booklist “Jacobsen delves into the sometimes twisting history of this food, as well as into the science that makes truffle farming possible. Even as he examines the fungi's complex history and analyzes questions about who gets access to truffles, Jacobsen's writing remains accessible, unlike the costly object of his desire. Truffle Hound is a compelling story, but Jacobsen doesn't leave readers empty-handed when the tale ends. The book also includes a glossary of truffle types, resources for acquiring your own truffles and recipes for after the decadent fungi arrives. It's an appropriate finish to a delicious book.” ― BookPage “Jacobsen sheds light on the opaque fungus, with the help of a passionate and eccentric cast, including the Grand Master of the Saint Ladislaus Order of Truffle Knights in Hungary... Truffle Hound 's achievement is to demonstrate the diversity of truffle culture beyond the traditional strongholds of France and Italy.” ― Times Literary Supplement “A gripping adventure story…There's so much in here, about dogs and trees, science and romance, about smells and cooking. Rowan Jacobsen previously wrote an award-winner about oysters, and Truffle Hound should sweep the board: it is funny, fascinating and fearless.” ― Country Life “ Truffle Hound offers a unique insight into the secretive hunts and black-market deals that take place before chefs shave them over luxury dishes and serve them to you in restaurants. Jacobsen also meets a few good dogs along the way.” ― Modern Farmer “Delightful, informative, and so much fun to read, this book will inspire you to grab your four-legged friend and scramble into the forest, noses twitching, in search of your own dirt-covered delicacies.” ― Fern Watt, author of ADVENTURE DOGS AND GIZELLE'S BUCKET LIST: MY LIFE WITH A VERY LARGE DOG “For centuries the truffle has been cooking's most mysterious ingredient, from its forest-floor secret locations to its high-luxury dishes. This enlightening book opens a whole new window onto this terrific tuber.” ― David McMillan, chef and co-owner, Joe Beef “With wit and intrigue, Rowan Jacobsen casts a spell as alluring as the truffle itself, pulling readers into a foodie fever dream that moves like an Italian trifulau through the woods: brisk, clear-eyed, and full of high spirits.” ― Langdon Cook, author of THE MUSHROOM HUNTERS “A terrific addition to the oeuvre. What is special about Truffle Hound is its investigation of many truffles from many places. For all those who think o