$70,000 Truffle Rots In Refrigerator [View All]

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IT had been one of the most expensive truffles in the world, costing €40,000 ($70,640), but it ended up spoiling in a British refrigerator - a bit a victim of its own success.

Several moneyed clients of the London restaurant Zafferano had bought the 850g delicacy from Tuscany recently, and there was so much interest in the truffle that smelling a publicity gag, the restaurant put it on display - for just a few days too long.

The chef of the upscale restaurant in central London then went on vacation after locking the truffle in the fridge, and taking the keys with him. When he returned after four days, he found it had rotted, forcing the owner to throw the whole thing out.

"It died a very happy truffle - back in the ground, unsliced," owner Enzo Cassini told reporters after the 'burial' under an oak tree in chef Andy Needham's garden.

Though no one ever got to tuck into dishes made with the truffle, a British charity profited from the auction, netting £28,000 ($71,767).

http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,11647181%255E13762,00.html