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Discover Italy’s famous Alba white truffle
September 23, 2021
Truffle capital
Situated in Italy’s north-western Piedmont region, Alba has established itself as a must-visit place for foodies. Gastro-tourists flock to the area from around the world to discover the distinctive taste of this delicious delicacy, which is more sought-after than any other variety of white truffle or its black counterpart.
Treasure hunt
Truffles are classified as a type of fungus but unlike mushrooms they always grow underground, so finding them is something best left to the experts who know where to look. Marco Varaldo, our professional truffle hunter at Hotel Principe di Savoia, works with his dog Roki, whose sensitive sense of smell has been trained specifically for truffle hunting in the secret woodlands that Marco takes him to.
Festival time
The International Alba White Truffle Festival, or Fiera Internazionale del Tartufo Bianco d’Alba as it’s known in Italian, takes place in October and November each year. While you need a highly-trained dog to track down truffles in the wild, at the fair this isn’t a problem as they’re in abundance and the air is heavy with their pungent aroma. Stallholders take a great pride in showcasing their produce, knowing that each truffle has been tested by experts to approve the quality.
Foodie destination
As with most areas of Italy, there are lots of other culinary delights to explore while visiting Piedmont. Each town and village has its own specialities to sample. An exceptional example of this is the landscape of Langhe, Monferrato and Roero, which is classified as a World Heritage Site. These famous wine-growing hills are the result of man working with nature to produce outstanding wines and preserve the natural beauty of the countryside.
Meet Marco and Roki
To find out more about these prized Alba truffles, let us organise a truffle hunting experience for you. You’ll get to see Marco and Roki in action, learn about this precious delicacy, enjoy lunch in a local restaurant, and take a trip to the Alba Truffle Fair. It’s a foodies dream!
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