US: Oregon’s tremendous truffle pairings

Piedmont and Périgord may top gourmands’ list when it comes to pairing wine with truffles, but Oregon’s Willamette Valley is catching up fast. Just like wine, truffles reflect their terroir. Oregon truffles specifically love damp weather and unlike other truffle species, they only grow wild in forests, upon the roots of Douglas fir trees. “Truffles, much like our wines, are all about where they come from,” says chef Javier Santos, owner of Subterra Restaurant in Newberg, Oregon. “I have discovered truffles with unique aromas and flavours, depending on the area where they were foraged.” Oregon currently counts four types of native truffles. These include Oregon winter white, Oregon spring white, Oregon black, and the elusive Oregon brown truffle. Average prices fall between US$30-$50 per ounce (28g). By contrast, white Italian Alba truffles fetch several hundred US dollars for the same amount. Peak Oregon truffle season runs from January through March. During this time, fungi fans ...