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A white truffle from central Italy believed to be the world's largest has sold for more than $60,000 at auction in the US.

Sotheby’s sold the 1.89kg white truffle (pictured) for $61,250 to a buyer based in Taiwan ahead of its fine wine auction in New York at the weekend.

A spokesperson for the auction house declined to give a precise pre-sale estimate, but said it had been expected to sell for ‘in excess of $50,000’.

Proceeds will go to charity, as specified by the Balestra family, of Sabatino Truffles, which found the giant tuber in Umbria, central Italy, around two weeks ago.

White truffles are one of the most coveted food ingredients and are generally hunted for in Italy from October to December. The truffle sold by Sotheby’s is believed to be the largest in the world by some distance.

But, previous giant truffles have sold for more.

In 2007, billionaire Stanley Ho, dubbed the ‘casino king’ of Macau, was reported to have paid $330,000 for a white truffle weighing 1.5kg at a charity auction and dinner. In 2010, he is reported to have bought two white truffles weighing a combined 1.3kg, again for $330,000.

Also in 2010, Jeannie Cho Lee MW – co-chair of the 2014 Decanter Asia Wine Awards – bought a 900g white truffle for €105,000 ($129,000) via an annual truffle auction that takes place in Alba, Piedmont.

Written by Chris Mercer

Chris Mercer
Chris Mercer

Chris Mercer is a Bristol-based freelance editor and journalist who spent nearly four years as digital editor of Decanter.com, having previously been Decanter’s news editor across online and print.

He has written about, and reported on, the wine and food sectors for more than 10 years for both consumer and trade media.

Chris first became interested in the wine world while living in Languedoc-Roussillon after completing a journalism Masters in the UK. These days, his love of wine commonly tests his budgeting skills.

Beyond wine, Chris also has an MSc in food policy and has a particular interest in sustainability issues. He has also been a food judge at the UK’s Great Taste Awards.