Truffle cropping methods have not ceased to decline since their appearance deep in the heart of the farm economics during the 19^th century. There have been, however, numerous scientific trials to improve the control and rationalize practices. Yet, the different knowledges and know-how still remain numerous and imprecise in the different truffle protected regions: the départements of Vaucluse, Alpes-Maritimes, Var and Drôme for South-Eastern France, and Dordogne and Lot for South-Western France. The diversity of practices kept reshaping, taking as central element either the truffle tree, or the soil on which it grows, or even more recently the relation between the two. Yet, they never came close to integrating the exterior scientific and technical innovations designed to improve the domestication process of the species. Regional customs have remained the principal element in production organization and sales. Such regional practices underpin the brand image of a product whose scarcity is today the best promotion argument. Indeed, if we judge the truffle by the amount harvested at the present time, we note that this crop represents only 1/20 of the total amount harvested in the last century. By analyzing the truffle growing models which were implemented in turns, and their integration in the social system, this paper aims at identifying the main elements which have helped to sustain, and then weaken, truffle producing techniques and highlight the mechanisms of the mismatch between academic and traditional knowledge, which is typical of this cultivation.