The Magic of Truffle Hunting: Between Nature, Passion, and Tradition

Truffle hunting is far more than a simple harvest: it is a true ritual rooted in nature, patience, and the experience of the trifulau. Truffles are hypogeous fungi, meaning they grow hidden underground, making their discovery a unique and fascinating moment.

The Trifulau and Their Four-Legged Companions

Traditionally, truffles are sought by trifulau—skilled hunters with an intimate knowledge of the forests and soils where truffles grow. Their most valuable ally is the trained dog, whose extraordinary sense of smell allows it to locate mature truffles without damaging the soil or the fungus itself. Some trifulau still use pigs, but dogs are by far the most common method today, thanks to their precision and ease of handling.

When and Where Truffles Grow

Truffles are not available year-round. Seasonality varies by species:

• White truffle (Tuber Magnatum Pico): autumn–winter

• Prized black truffle (Tuber Melanosporum): winter–spring

• Summer truffle and other black varieties: summer–autumn

Growing underground makes truffles difficult to find, but ideal conditions are well known to trifulau: forests of oak, hazelnut, poplar, or hornbeam trees, with calcareous, well-drained soils.

The Harvesting Technique

Once the dog pinpoints the exact spot, the trifulau uses a small tool called a vanghetto to carefully extract the truffle, taking great care not to damage the mycorrhiza—the fungal network that ensures future growth. Every harvested truffle is therefore the result of patience, experience, and deep respect for the environment.

A Unique Experience

Beyond its extraordinary flavor, truffle hunting is an experience that blends tradition, culture, and nature. Walking through the woods at dawn or at night, following the dog and uncovering this hidden treasure, is an emotion few other foods in the world can offer.

From Earth to Table

When a truffle reaches our tables, it carries with it the work of the trifulau and the magic of its discovery. Fresh, aromatic, and unique, it is the result of an ancient tradition that still thrives today thanks to the passion of those who love the land and its gifts.

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