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Article: Truffle genes are much alike in the dark.(research finds little genetic variation in black truffles in Europe)(Brief Article)
- Article from:
- Science News
- Article date:
- August 22, 1998
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1998 Science Service, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Are French black truffles better than Italian black truffles?
That's hardly a question to treat lightly, and a team of French scientists has brought the techniques of population genetics to bear on the underpinnings of the controversy.
Their conclusion may only inflame the debate, however. The black truffle, Tuber melanosporum, displays remarkably little genetic variation across its European range, report Guillaume Bertault from the University of Montpellier and his colleagues. The variation that does occur follows no geographic pattern. In the August 20 Nature, the researchers say that any regional difference in fragrance and flavor "probably results ...