Umberto Bombana, the founding chef of the Michelin-starred 8 ½ Otto e Mezzo Restaurant in Hong Kong, paid huge amounts for white truffle, one of the rarest mushroom species in the world. Bombana, who participated in the auction to buy this precious mushroom, bought about 2 kilograms of white truffles for 118,000 dollars. So, why is white truffle, which is basically used as a spice, so expensive?

White truffles often find buyers at auctions for high sums. White truffles are one of the most coveted and expensive products in the world, with much more difficult conditions than black truffles. This product, which has an alluring aroma, emits an odour that lasts for a limited time and it takes the help of well-trained dogs and experienced hunters to find this mushroom. Usually found a few inches below the ground, near hardwood roots, the white truffle has a short harvest period from October to December.

Michelin-starred chef Umberto Bombana bought the best ingredients at the annual Alba White Truffle Fair. A member of the mushroom family used primarily as a spice, it is often added to paste, pizza and egg dishes. This investment of Bombana has increased the interest in his restaurant and the product all over the world.