Why do Truffles Smell? (1 of 2) (IMAGE) Goethe University Frankfurt Caption A group of German and French scientists under the direction of the Goethe University Frankfurt have discovered that the smell of white truffles is largely produced by soil bacteria which are trapped inside truffle fruiting bodies. (This one is a tuber canalicatum.) Credit Richard Splivallo Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.