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TED-Ed

What are truffles, and why are they so expensive? - Carolyn Beans

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932 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

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Truffles are one of the world’s most expensive foods— in part because global demand often outstrips supply. And truffles are becoming even more rare and more expensive as deforestation and climate change shrink their suitable terrain. But why are these fungi so rare? And why don’t we just farm more of them? Carolyn Beans digs into the truffle’s unique and somewhat mysterious biology.

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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

Educator
Carolyn Beans
Director
Denys Spolitak
Narrator
Adrian Dannatt
Composer
Cem Misirlioglu, Brooks Ball
Sound Designer
Cem Misirlioglu, Brooks Ball
Director of Production
Gerta Xhelo
Produced by
Sazia Afrin
Editorial Director
Alex Rosenthal
Editorial Producer
Shannon Odell
Fact-Checker
Charles Wallace
Expert Consultant
Marc-André Selosse

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