If you are on vacation in the Bel Paese there’s something you don’t want to miss: truffle hunting with dogs in Italy is one of the funniest activities you can do.
If you don’t know where to start, here is what you need to know!
A truffle is the fruit of a fungus that grows underground, close to the roots trees such as oaks, beeches, linden trees, hazels and poplars.
A truffle shape depends on the hardness of the soil: the softer the soil the more spherical the truffle, while the harder the soil the lumpier the truffle.
Truffles are a clear sign that the area in which they grow is unspoiled and unpolluted.
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As truffles are hard to find, their cost is high: just to give you an idea, at the restaurant 10 gr of grated white truffle cost around € 28 (to add to your dish price, of course!).
The price per kg varies according to the variety of truffle. Here are retail prices for truffles in Italy in 2022.
Truffle Type | Avg price per kg |
White Truffle | $ 5’423,76 |
Burgundy Black Truffle | $ 1’558.50 |
Winter Black Truffle | $ 1’352,28 |
Summer Black Truffle | $ 281,73 |
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There are different varieties of truffles. Here you are the most appreciated:
White truffle is the finest of all. It has a distinctive and intense aroma reminiscent of garlic.
Particularly, Alba White Truffle is a top-rated truffle and also the most expensive. It grows not only in Alba, Piedmont, but also in some areas of Molise and Abruzzo.
Hunting time: from the beginning of October to the end of December.
Although it may look the same as the summer truffle, the Burgundy black truffle has a stronger aroma.
Hunting time: from October to the end of December.
It is the most expensive among black truffles due to the high demand.
Hunting time: from mid-November to mid-March.
Scorzone has a more delicate aroma than other black truffles.
Hunting time: from mid-May to the end of August.
As the truffle grows underground, it’s not easily detectable by humans. That’s why to truffle hunt we need a faithful companion.
A dog for example.
Today truffles are sought with the help of dogs that respond to the owner’s calls and don’t damage the areas where the truffle grows.
Mind you, the search for the truffle without a dog is strictly forbidden!
Each breed of dog can be trained to look for truffles, but one of the most used for this work is the Lagotto Romagnolo, the only one to be explicitly indicated as “truffle dog” in the breed standard.
The Lagotto has a graceful and gentle appearance that could be misleading (it is curly like a Poodle and of reduced dimensions) but it is actually a rustic, resistant and rural dog, who loves working.
Lagotto is not the only dog breed for truffle hunting. Whichever breed you choose, any dogs suitable for truffle hunting must be trained.
The training can take place by the truffle hunters themselves or by a specific breeder or trainer.
In the first case, you will only be able to get good results if you already have some knowledge of dog training, or else..well, it’s tricky to think of training a truffle dog if this is your first dog!
Italy offers so many places where you can go truffle hunting with dogs that it would take the whole page to list them all.
In fact, anywhere on the Apennines you can find truffles – easily or not. Instead, here you will find the places where you’ll get to find the most prestigious varieties.
In northern Italy’s Piedmont region there is an area called Langhe which is rich in truffles. Here you can go hunting for the prized White Truffle of Alba.
Langhe is also famous for wine production, so, as you’re at it, I strongly advise you to have a glass of Barolo DOCG wine together with your truffle tasting!
In Emilia-Romagna you can go truffle hunting in the following provinces:
This region is famous around the world for pasta making as Emilia is the birthplace of tortellini and other types of stuffed pasta. As you’re here, take the chance of trying truffles with local dishes!
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The areas where you’ll find truffles in Tuscany are the following: Mugello, San Miniato, Valtiberina, Crete Senesi, Casentino and Maremma Grossetana. The varieties of truffles you can find in Tuscany are many, from Black to White, from the Marzuolo (spring truffle) to the Scorzone.
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The famous Black Truffle of Norcia can be found anywhere in the region.
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Here you can hunt for the famous White Truffle of Acqualagna.
In Abruzzo you can find truffles in the provinces of Pescara, Teramo, Chieti and L’Aquila.
Even if the dog plays a key role in truffle hunting, it can’t do everything. It’s the truffle hunter who must bring it closer to the right areas (“pasture” in Italian).
Obviously there are many precious secrets in this profession and truffle hunters tend to jealously guard them, revealing them only to their closest relatives. So, unfortunately, don’t expect expert truffle hunters to tell you the areas where they find truffles: it would be a waste of time.
The beginner truffle hunter must have good legs, be willing to walk for kilometers and know the seasonality of the various types of truffles.
It is also very useful to study the characteristics of the forest that will be explored, inquiring about the type of soil and the type of vegetation present.
Climate events also have their role, so it is good to keep an eye on temperatures and rainfall in areas where truffles will be sought. Generally, a very rainy season generates more truffles.
Finally, some insects are particularly attracted to truffles (for example the famous Truffle Fly), so knowing them will help in the work.
Once the dog has aimed at the truffle, there you have it! However, be careful as you don’t want your dog to dig too deep. You should pay enough attention to stop your dog at the right time and continue digging yourself, better with a small spade.
Truffle hunters usually put their truffles in bags called “catane”, in their jacket special pockets or in baskets similar to those for mushroom collection.
The perfect gear includes sportswear, a waterproof jacket and comfy shoes – better if you have walking boots. Remember that you’ll be walking through the woods, on hilly lands.
It’s pleasant and relaxing to be immersed in nature working with your dog. It feels great when you can establish a relationship of mutual esteem.
However, given the dangers of the woods, you cannot be an improvised truffle hunter: you should always be informed and stick to rules and regulations, care for safety for you, the environment and your faithful collaborator. If you keep this in mind, you’re ready to start a new adventure!
That being said, keep in mind the following rules:
You can get to know more about truffles and sample prestigious varieties during food festivals (we call them “sagre”) where prized truffles are showcased.
It could be a great idea to plan your travel around one of those sagre, for example the International White Truffle Fair of Alba, in Alba, Piedmont.
It lasts about a month (between October and November) and here you can sample and purchase truffles. Visitors come from all over the world to try the magnificent Magnatum Pico.
What are you waiting for?
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