The craze for truffles continues unabated and to date, around fifteen species of this underground mushroom have been identified in Quebec, at least five of which have good taste properties. It is the Appalachian truffle that was chosen for truffle farming which is currently practiced in eastern Quebec. Traditionally, sows were used to harvest the truffles, which emit a scent of male pig pheromones that attracts them. But we changed to dogs… Because the old truffle growers had their fingers cut off when they tried to pull the truffles from the sows’ mouths. Incursion to Saint-Pie, in Montérégie, for a truffle harvest under the hazelnut trees.
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Jérôme Quirion, co-owner of Truffes Québec, harvests truffles with the help of his dog Taouk. Marie-France Coallier Le Devoir
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Truffles live in symbiosis with various species of conifers and deciduous trees. Here, Jérôme Quirion, co-owner of Truffes Québec, goes in search of truffles in a hazelnut orchard in Saint-Pie. Marie-France Coallier Le Devoir
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A mycorrhiza on American hazel roots Marie-France Coallier Le Devoir
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Humans generally cannot differentiate between mature and immature truffles with the naked eye, but mature mushrooms will release a stronger odor that animals can detect. Marie-France Coallier Le Devoir
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There are dogs who will dig up the truffle, others will simply paw at the place where they are buried, still others, like Taouk, Jérôme Quirion’s Australian shepherd, sit and watch their master while waiting for a reward. Marie-France Coallier Le Devoir
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Jérôme Quirion digs up a truffle discovered by his dog Taouk. Marie-France Coallier Le Devoir
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The dog receives a treat as a reward for her discovery. Marie-France Coallier Le Devoir
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Jérôme Quirion chats with Guillaume St-Jean and Maryse Bédard-Allaire, the co-owners of the hazelnut orchard where the truffles are harvested. Marie-France Coallier Le Devoir
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Guillaume St-Jean smells a truffle fresh from the ground. Marie-France Coallier Le Devoir
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Appalachian truffles Marie-France Coallier Le Devoir
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Inspection of hazelnuts and truffles harvested during the day Marie-France Coallier Le Devoir
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