Andiamo! | Citalia Magazine Autumn 2021

A NOSE FOR TRUFFLES
What truffle varieties are there?
Italy is home to a whopping 28 different species of truffle, of which eight
are suitable for cultivation and human consumption.
Tartufo bianco
Tartufo bianco (white truffle) is world-renowned. Although the aroma of
white truffle is intense, it’s also delicate as it fades quickly when cut or
shaved. This is why white truffles are served fresh and raw, which helps
the aroma linger. You’ll often find white truffle shaved on top of risotto,
with pasta, or - our personal favourite - on a traditional stone-baked
Italian pizza.
The crowning glory of the white winter truffle is the Alba white truffle
(tuber magnatum pico), also known as the Trifola d’Alba Madonna (Truffle
of the White Madonna), which is found in northern Italy in the Piedmont
region, or in San Miniato, Tuscany.
Alba white truffles are extremely rare, more so than any other variety,
as they’re the most aromatic and flavourful. Irregularly shaped, you’ll
find they have an earthy, almost musky, aroma with notes of garlic, nuts,
or honey.
Said to be practically worth their weight in gold,
authentic white truffles can cost between £600 and
£1,300 per pound (lb). If you prefer the metric system,
that’s between £1,700 and £4,290 per kilogram.
White summer truffles, known as tartufo bianchetto or marzuolo, are the
same species as the white winter truffle but are more affordable. They’re
harvested earlier in the year from the same Italian regions as the winter
variety: Piedmont, Tuscany, and Le Marche. While not as pungent, you’ll
find they have a sweet and musky, garlicky flavour.
Tartufo nero
Alba White Truffle Fair
Head to Alba in Piedmont for the annual International Alba White Truffle
Fair. At the heart of this fair is a world market, where you can appreciate
and buy truffles from the Langhe, Monferrato and Roero regions.
Running from mid-October to mid-December this year, the Alba fair is
considered one of the best in Italy, with a whole host of world-famous
market stalls for you to browse, touch, and smell the many truffles from
local vendors and truffle hunters.
International and local chefs come together to put on top-class cooking
shows. It's your chance to discover mouthwatering wines, local cheeses,
egg pastas, and cured meats from the area.
The event is as much a cultural festival as a
celebration of the area's fantastic truffles.
A medieval fair offers a glimpse into the area's history,
which is brought alive through historical enactments,
and the much-anticipated Palio (Donkey) race,
which has been running for decades and makes up
an essential part of the festivities with its parades,
trumpets, and drum rolls.
Compared to white truffles, black truffles have a more subtle aroma that
lasts longer, and this variety actually benefits from gentle cooking to help
release the flavour.
Tartufo nero (black truffle) are the most common truffle variety, as they
can be farmed commercially, and are therefore much more affordable.
Because they travel well, these are often the fresh Italian truffles found
on the British restaurant scene.
However, you will still find wild black truffles in Italy. The best black
winter truffles are the nero pregiato, a sweet black truffle that boasts
earthy notes of chocolate and dried fruit. Found in Norcia and Spoleto,
two historical towns in Umbria, and around the Nera River, this warty
treat can also be found in Piedmont. Nero pregiato is harvested between
mid-November and mid-March.
Once harvested, tartufo nero are often made into a spread or, as is
popular in Assisi, cooked in omelettes.
Black summer truffles - known as scorzoni, are a different species from
black winter truffles, and have a bumpier skin and a mushroom-y smell.
While you can enjoy them from May to September, they are best enjoyed
in July.
If you want to bring your family, then children are also entertained at this
epic event with their own kids' space, where they can enjoy educational
games made of wood and other natural materials.
A 5 night holiday in Piedmont starts from £579 per person. Speak to one of our Personal Travel Planners on 01293 765061
Summer/Autumn 2021
Andiamo!