Originally Posted by
nerd
Saw that. Why don't the Chinese let some ripen then? Rather have $1 today than $50 in a year?
They're actually not the same thing.
Chinese truffles are tuber himalayensis, French truffles are tuber melanosporum.
From NYTimes:
Although the two types look the same, the Chinese truffles, when cut, are likely to be blacker, with less veining. They tend to have a chemical odor and very little flavor.