Autumn is coming, and with it the truffle season. This underground mushroom is prized for its strong flavor, which makes it rare and expensive. Truffle hunting is usually a job for experienced adults, but thanks to Tenuta Torciano kids can go hunting too.
Truffles come in two colors, white or black, and the variety changes with the soil they grow in. That's why a real hunt is needed: "truffle hunting" means an expert handler working with a puppy trained for years to find the scent. The breeds best suited for the job are Bracco, Pointer, Lagotto Romagnolo, Spinone, Cocker and Jack Russell. Dogs are the top researchers thanks to their nose, but did you know pigs are used too? In short, this hunt is for everyone.
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White and black truffle in Tuscany
In Tuscany you find both the white truffle and the black one, which is much more common. The white truffle has a greenish tinge, a smooth outside, and a size that ranges from an aragon up to a grapefruit. Inside it's a faded brown with slight reddish shades and subtle, lighter veins — a strange-looking fungus, but wonderful as an oil or shaved on pasta. I recommend trying the flavored truffle oil of Tenuta Torciano, and I've tasted it many times in the lasagna prepared at Tenuta Torciano — it's really good.
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A truffle hunt made for kids too
This hunt is fun and free of danger, so why shouldn't kids practice it too? Thanks to Tenuta Torciano, they can live this exciting experience: after a fun visit to the vineyard, you spend unforgettable moments in the surrounding forests with an expert guide and his own dog, learning to recognize the trees that make the ideal habitat for truffles, and the techniques used to find them. I tried this wonderful adventure myself, and it really was unforgettable.
If you want to know more about truffle hunting, Mediterranean cuisine, and how to cook with truffle, visit www.torciano.com or www.bottegatorciano.com. You can also follow along on my blog.
Ready to try it with the family?
Book the truffle huntBye! See you next time!
