November brings truffle essence in the air...The most famous truffle fair in Tuscany is settled in San Miniato (Pisa), and takes place in November during all weekends from Friday 9th 2012. The programme is full of events, which include truffle hunting excursions with dogs, tastings and shopping. This precious tuber, better known as Tuber Magnatum Pico, to be distinguished by Tartufo Nero Scorzone and Marzuolo, reaches its maturation between early September and the end of December, when, in fact, truffle hunters can collect them in the woods near San Miniato by law. Their smell becomes stronger and even under meters of ground, dogs can percieve it...The white truffle can be found in a few regions in Italy, among some Alba in Piedmont, but yet not everywhere oaks or beeaches grow, which makes them even more precious and sought-after. Since Greeks and Romans it was considered as Food for the Gods, which did not put roots or could be sowed.
If you have not experienced a walk in woods with a truffle hunter and his dog, you shall take the chance to try it. Not just the passion for the natural enviroment and truffles move hunters to pursue the "quest", but also the love for dogs and their ability to instruct them by patience and affection to find their "gold". You never know how long it will take and how many or big they will be...but yet this suspence makes this experience memorable. Hunters are aware that nothing could be fulfilled without their dogs, that is why they reward them with titbits and lots of cuddles.
Here some tips, directly from truffle experts, to avoid truffle mania to make you blind and spend hundreds euros in "potatoes":
- dont' trust people selling truffles out of the Sept-Dec period: some truffle-alike tubers can be found in Morocco, but they do not smell much and are sprayed with truffle essence;
- observe truffles and check: they are not scratched by dogs'feet or full of holes and ground, as this means dropping the price down;
- beware of frauds: potatoes are dusted with spelt flour and truffle essence to resemble white truffles.
- a portion of white truffles for a full meal cannot be cheaper than €20-30 per person, therefore keep away from restaurants offering thrifty truffle menus.
The best way to taste truffle is with very simple recipes, such as tagliolini or rice "in bianco" (with butter), eggs, raw carpaccio meat. Truffle must not be cooked!
Last but not least, a proper truffle meal shall require truffles to be grated directly on your plate by yourself or the restaurant dealers.
If you wish to undergo a truffle experience in San Miniato, I will be happy to arrange for your tailor made experience and meet with locals to get the sheer vibe of truffle mania!
Contact: Serena Giovannoni info@wishversilia.it
