Can Germany's nascent truffle industry meet fine dining standards?

Truffle farmer Heiler with Balou, a truffle-hunting dog. Photos: Uli Deck/dpa

Balou wags his tail energetically as he zigzags around the small trees, nose to the ground. Suddenly, he starts digging like there’s no tomorrow.

He sends clods of earth flying into the air. Most people wouldn't know whether or not there were truffles among them, says Michael Heiler, who owns three truffle farms near the western German city of Karlsruhe.