Alba Truffles

Alba is home to the National Centre for the Study of Truffles, this gives you some idea of just how seriously the people of Alba, Piedmont and indeed Italy take their truffles. More than a hundred of the greatest Italian truffle noses operate from, or in conjunction with, the centre to ensure optimal quality is maintained.

Truffle harvest time begins in autumn/fall, Once the first mists begin to roll across the hills around Alba you will find men and dogs on the hunt for the elusive Alba truffle.

If you would like to be part of it I would recommend a truffle tour. The tour involves a lot of truffle and wine tasting and even includes an outing with a truffle hunter and his dog. Contact me for details.

Most often the truffles are found near oak tree forests or near water. Truffles are rarely found above 2000 feet. Humid areas with rich vegetation and away from direct sunlight are ideal.

The perfect truffle cannot be cultivated and nowhere on earth are the conditions for the white truffle as perfect as they are in Alba – resulting in a truffle without rivals.

True cognoscenti of truffles can tell just from the nose where they have grown. Those having grown near oak trees smell completely different to those found near linden tree groves. To be honest, I can notice little difference, but the experts can.

To really experience the truffle visit Alba during the October truffle festival. The place to eat Truffles during this period is the Cascinalenuovo - Their seven course meal based on truffles is legendary.

If you can’t make it to Piedmont for the festival then we have some great truffle related products on our food sister site. Click here for more information.

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