Local favourite: Thriving truffles trade

Dubai: Trade in truffles, known as a natural aphrodisiac, is alive in Dubai for reasons better known to men.

While truffles from France and Italy which are highly sought after and cost up to nearly Dh20,000 per kilo, Iranian or North African truffles are available in Dubai this time of the year and cost far less.

"This fruit of the wild is known for its power, [it's] like a natural Viagra," said Nasser Sajjadi, manager of Dubai-based food distributor Shokri Hassan Trading Co.

Exotic food

Compared with their European counterparts, however, Iranian truffles are a bargain - from Dh120 to Dh150 per kilo.

Shokri exhibited truffles at the three-day International Plants Expo Middle East, which ended on March 10.

Truffles, known as fooga in Arabic, are considered an exotic food by Europeans and was sought after by ancient royals of Rome and Greece.

"Men here love them, too" said Sajjadi. "It is usually mixed with biryani or kebab - or simply boiled in water with salt," he said.

Truffles come in two varieties. White truffle (also known as zubaidi) is harvested from the foot of the Zagros mountains in southwest Iran while khalasi (red) comes from Algeria. Both find their way to the Dubai Fruit and Vegetable Market around this time of the year.