Summer truffle discovered for the first time in Portugal. The announcement was made by the University of Évora and by chef Tanka Sapkota. It is a gastronomic delicacy resulting from the reproduction of fungi that also has medicinal properties. "This is the first discovery of summer truffle in Portugal, it is a fantastic discovery, because we know, for the first time, that it is possible to cultivate it in our country", explained the researcher from the University of Évora Celeste Santos e Silva. The University of Évora and chef Tanka Sapkota have been working in partnership for two years in the search for truffle in Portugal. "Several people sent us several samples, but none of them were truffle" until April 26, when they received another sample from the municipalities of Alenquer and Sobral de Monte Agraço, in the district of Lisbon, and the researchers tasted what they had long wanted to find. According to the biologist, this species of truffle was known in France and Italy and cultivated in Spain, but "there were no records of its existence" in Portugal. Read Also: 'Chegou chegando' the new h3 menu for the summer (Portuguese version) Since this species of truffle was imported until now and a kilogram can cost 100 euros, the researcher explained that the discovery "opens up several market possibilities worldwide, both from the point of view of cultivation and its commercialization". "I have been working for 20 years in this area of macromycology and I have several owners interested in cultivating it in addition to other crops, since its production can take between 13 and 15 years", said Celeste Santos e Silva. "Today alone we picked up a kilogram [on the field visit for the media] and we have a gentleman who picked up six kilograms in one morning because there are several places and there is a good amount, so the potential is great", said chef Tanka Sapkota. This species of truffle appears mainly in calcareous and clayey soils and where there are conditions of rainfall and shading from other types of vegetation. In addition to being a delicacy used in gastronomy, it also has medicinal properties because it is anti-inflammatory, promotes the well-being of the body and stimulates the immune system. Tanka Sapkota met the truffle in 1992 in restaurants in Italy and, in 2007, began to use the delicacy in the dishes he prepares in his restaurants in Lisbon, with the aim of "democratizing the truffle" that he has been importing. In his three restaurants in the capital, he consumes an average of seven kilograms per week. That is why, two years ago, he challenged the universities to discover truffle in the national territory. With this discovery, the chef has no doubt that Portugal now has "truffles better than Italy". Read Also: Hungry to discover new restaurants? We have 24 unmissable new features (Portuguese version)