The Truffle: A Hidden Treasure Beneath the Earth
“To find a nice truffle weighing several hundred grams, you need a good dog and a lot of luck!”
explains Pierpaolo, our expert truffle hunter, with a smile.
For many, the truffle represents luxury, a sought-after delicacy, an unexpected joy, or even an unattainable desire. However, Pierpaolo is more reflective:
“After 50 years of truffle hunting, I don’t know if my profession is an illness, a passion, or just a hobby!”
Truffles belong to the family of fungi, but unlike other famous mushrooms, like the well-known porcini, which grow above the ground, truffles develop beneath the surface, up to a depth of about half a meter.
How does a truffle come to be?
The spores of the truffle, which are its “seeds”, are transported by animals and water until they reach the roots of certain trees. Here, the miracle begins: through a process of symbiosis between the truffle and the tree’s roots, the fungus starts to grow, taking about three months to mature. This process is made possible by the perfect combination of temperature and humidity.
What is symbiosis?
In the case of the truffle, the tree root provides the necessary nutrients (carbon and sugars produced by photosynthesis) for the fungus to grow, while the truffle helps by increasing the absorption of nutrients and water needed by the plant to survive. When the truffle reaches maturity, even though it is hidden under the soil, it emits its characteristic and unmistakable scent, which attracts wild animals. These animals, digging in search of the prized fungus, spread the spores in the soil, enabling its propagation.
In the area surrounding Podere il Casale, several varieties of truffles can be found. Among the most common is the “bianchetto” (or Marzuolo), which is harvested in the early months of the year. From April to October, the “black summer” truffle, also known as Scorzone, can be found, while from September to December, the king of truffles reigns: the precious white truffle.
In Italy, only trained dogs are allowed to search for truffles. This is because wild boars, which are very fond of truffles, could make the search a dangerous endeavor, with the risk of a “battle” between man and animal!
Finally, since 2021, the search and harvesting of truffles have been officially included in the list of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage, recognizing the cultural and traditional importance of this practice.
