White truffles: delicious but expensive
Even the tiniest tiniest truffles cost “only” 500 euros per kg but the giant white truffles start at 5,000 euros a kilo. This year the heat and drought which has characterized our late summer and early autumn, have reduced the output of truffles and therefore pushed up their prices
White truffles
However in the 1,500 euro and the 2,500 euro price range you can buy some truffles which are both good and fragrant. The Truffle Market is to be found in San Giovanni d’Asso, where there is also a museum dedicated to these precious tubers and the Headquarters of the Truffle Association.
The Fattoria del Colle is only a few miles from this town, and is therefore right in the centre of the main area for white truffles in the Crete Senesi it also has 5 truffle reserves of its own. They are located in the valley where there are flowing streams and Oak and Poplar trees. The specially trained dogs sniff around the roots of these trees and find the precious tubers.
These dogs are trained from puppies to sniff out the truffles and have a lot of fun
lagotto, dog to hunt truffles
doing it. The breed most suitable for this acitivity is the Lagotto, a lively dog with a voracious attitude and a curly, soft coat.
The truffles which have just been found are delicious cooked with tagliolini, mashed chickpeas and creamed cabbage …. all of which are prepared by our excellent chef Antonio at the restaurant in Fattoria del Colle.