Alba white truffle world auction raises record breaking bids

The 20th anniversary of the Alba White Truffle World Auction, was one to celebrate this year with a huge white truffle weighing 1 kilo and 5 grams auctioning off for 120 thousand euros, plus other lots adding up to the record-breaking total of 420,000 euros.

The prized regal tuber, presented on a red velvet pillow, was won by the highest bidder for the princely sum of 120 thousand euros and will now be flown to its new home in Hong Kong. In addition to the winning truffle, the other lots yielded 300,000 euros amounting to one of the highest amounts collected in the history of the event.

The annual international auction held at Grinzane Cavour in the heartland of truffle country in Alba Italy attracts buyers and experts from the four corners of the world, with bidders in Hong Kong, Moscow and Singapore competing for the magnificent lots of truffles via live link-ups.

The money collected during the XX World White Truffle Auction of Alba will be donated to charities in Italy, Hong Kong, Russia and Singapore.

Watch Michelin chefs cooking with truffles!

White Truffle Season 2019

The white Alba truffle is harvested by truffle hunters annually from 21 September to 31 January. For the past 89 years, the town of Alba in Piedmont has hosted a large white truffle fair for almost two months, during which the auction is held.

Antonio De Giacomi, director of the National Center of Studies on the Truffle, reports on the current season;

"It is a season that has had alternating moments: there have been good rains, but then in October it was also very hot. Now, in November and December, the best truffles are coming with the best aromas."

This year the prized white truffles are selling for approximately two thousand euros per kilo. Even 3,500, for larger pieces.