Truffles in Switzerland near Yverdon-les-Bains

Saturday, 19 July 2025 00:00
Written by Portal Editor

Truffles - In our first articles on the region around Yverdon-les-Bains, we already highlighted some special features.

With the reference to truffle areas, which was also new to us, we are now continuing this series of special features, as there are occasionally astonishing truffle finds locally.

For example, a woman from Triesen found thirty summer truffles in her garden, the largest of which was 8 cm long. In the canton of Zug, the mushrooms can be found in the Höllgrotten area or in the Steinhauserwald forest, which, however, was heavily infested with ticks. The technical director of the Swiss Truffle Association, Hans-Peter Neukom, primarily mentions the black Burgundy truffle (autumn truffle), which grows on calcareous, loose soils where beech, oak, linden, or hazel bushes grow. Of course, truffles can be found in many regions of the world.

Truffles - Finds mentioned in writing as early as 4,000 years ago

Truffles were probably already known to prehistoric people. While gathering mushrooms, roots, and berries, our ancestors probably found the first truffles, and probably didn't initially consider them an absolute delicacy.

Truffles were mentioned as early as 2000 BC on Sumerian clay tablets in Mesopotamia, in the so-called Mesopotamian region. However, there is understandably no evidence for the legend that the Egyptian pharaoh Cheops was a passionate truffle eater.

It was only in ancient times with the Greeks and Romans that the mushrooms gained greater importance. The African truffle, or lion truffle, and Terfezia boudieri were particularly prized by the Greeks and Romans and were long considered aphrodisiacs. However, there are no reliable historical sources for this. The physician Galen, often cited as evidence, did not describe truffles as an aphrodisiac. Apicius's cookbook covers truffles extensively.

While truffles enjoyed particular esteem until the early Middle Ages (even among the ascetic Bishop Ambrose of Milan), in the High Middle Ages they were considered the epitome of sin.

It wasn't until the Renaissance that mushrooms regained popularity. They were a must-have on any fine table. Truffles became noble gifts, worthy even of popes.

Truffle – the special mushroom – you either like it or you don't

Truffles have completely adapted to an underground lifestyle, so they no longer form above-ground fruiting bodies. Since the fruiting body is more or less extremely folded, the spores can no longer be easily released into the environment. The fungi therefore rely on animals for dispersal.

The strong smell of truffles is particularly noticeable in the wild, even through the forest floor, especially by wild boars. After consumption, the indigestible spores are excreted. Thus, wild boars play a significant role in the spread of the truffle. Insects, such as the truffle fly or certain beetle species, are also attracted to truffles.

However, truffles are likely to play a minor role as food for most animals, especially larger species. Similar to humans, they are more of a welcome addition to the diet.

Today, sniffer dogs, known as truffle dogs, are often trained and used to search for real truffles. One breed traditionally used for this purpose is the Lagotto Romagnolo, but other dogs are also suitable for truffle hunting. The Lagotto has real character. It is a very good companion and guard dog, as well as well-suited for various dog sports. It is generally considered easy to train, but contrary to popular belief, it is not a dog for beginners.

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