Truffles

Explore la bellezza of Italy.

Do you like truffles? If you’re heading to Italy in November, you just might want to visit one of the many truffle – tartufo – festivals throughout Italy.

Truffles are one of Italy’s most famous ingredients and considered a delicacy all around the world. Truffles are edible fungi or tubers that grow underground. They are similar to mushrooms, but mushrooms grow above ground.

Although there are over 100 different species of truffles, the vast majority of truffles are not edible. In Italy, the law allows for the collection and sale of nine species of truffles.

The most common and versatile of truffles, the black truffle – tartufo nero – can be found in woods, meadows, and mountains of Umbria and Tuscany. Black truffle season is from December to March.

The white truffle – tartufo bianco – is considered the rarer and the luxury truffle. White truffles can only be found by trained truffle hunting dogs. White truffle season is from September to December when they grow wild in the forests near the city of Alba in the Piedmont region.

In terms of taste, truffles taste similar to mushrooms yet are more intense and fragrant. White truffles have a hint similar to garlic with notes of pepper. Black truffles have more of a nutty flavour.

Typically, truffles are thinly shaved on pasta dishes, risotto, sauces, or grated over seafood or meat.

Buon appetito!