German Truffles

An expensive delicacy in Germany, cost about 30euro (equates to S$60+) for the size of a chestnut!!

No, i have not been to Germany (yet) and have not tried this ridiculously expensive truffles. I was out at an event of 30 people, dinning and meeting strangers on Saturday evening. We were all assigned to a table of 6 people, the guys will take rotation after 30 minutes of interaction at each table. The first group of guys had us kick start well (i guess because its the first round), we chatted, exchanged contacts and so on. After about 30 minutes, they moved on and a new group of guys sat at our table. This became routine, i could see that the gals became a little bored.. "Excuse me pls, i had to go to the washroom", one of the gals politely escaped the routine. But for some of us, we stayed on.

Thankfully, the routine was broken at the following round when this new guy came to our table (or to our rescue should i say). He was not all that a lady-killer, but for once, it was a guy who would initiate a conversation and carried it well. He may not have the most ideal career or the best pay job in town, but its his passion for his work and being honest about it that caught my attention. He has a full time job somewhere, its his "part-time" job that interest us. He is a volunteered educational-guide at the zoo. "Volunteered? Oh.. you must have loved animals?" i blurted. He went on expressing his interest and how he was involved for several years.

The conversation did not just stopped at that of course, he probed us instead "Where have you guys been on holidays?" I have not much to share unfortunately, so i asked him instead (I'm sure he would have a lot to share since he first asked.. HA!) He went to Germany last year where his friends hosted him. I thought his friends would dish out the best German sausage, beer or pork knuckles. NO. Its this truffles i was talking about.

Truffles... the first thing that came to mind is the chocolate truffles easily avail at any chocolate stations. BUT NO. This is the fungus which is known as a delicacy in Germany. How to get them? These fungus survived on pine wood buried below the earth. The farmer will pull along a pig to sniff out these fungus in the forest (yes! its a PIG, not hunting dog!) When this pig hover on the same spot, the farmer will pulled it aside and start digging for the truffles. Amazing!! (And would the farmer tap the pig on its head and say "Good piggie! Good job!"?? hahaha!)

"I had the truffles, the size of a chestnut, on an omelette. It tasted good!" Good? Like what? How does it taste like? No no, I had to hold myself; i realized i was not in a midst of filming a gourmet show. I thought i should let the other gals probe him instead.

Time for group shots. We reluctantly stepped out of the cosy cafe to have our pictures taken. Hmm... i wondered, was it the truffles or the hunting pig that amused us? Or was it his chivalrous approach or the extra curriculum at the zoo that had our attention? I like the food bit... hmm... HAHAHA! Well, if not for this, i wouldn't be able to continue with this blog and pen my thoughts of the event highlights right???