The Truffle Hunters

An enchanting film

Deep in the forests of il Piemonte (in the northwest of Italy), a dwindling group of spry old men and their faithful four-legged friends hunt for the most expensive ingredient in the world: the white truffle. They are the last of their kind, guardians of a way of life that is rapidly disappearing in the modern world.

With mesmerizing camera work and a compelling soundtrack, the Sundance hit The Truffle Hunters gives a stylish and sometimes humorous insight into a world full of obsessions and well-kept secrets. From the absolute elite to the hard worker and from the truffle veteran to the younger generation: everyone is captivated by the delicacy.

By filming in bright autumn colors, directors Michael Dweck and Gregory Kershaw create a fairytale atmosphere through which harsh reality sometimes seeps through. Scarcity due to climate change, toxic rivalry among hunters and a slippery trader who takes big profits; there are dark edges to this story. But the truffle fever is especially contagious, partly thanks to a nice storytelling pace and the use of every perspective. Even dogs running around have a camera strapped to them.

When you have seen this beautiful film you immediately wonder, what is it like in our own region? Which truffles grow here, when can you find them and how are they searched for?

There are several regions in Italy known for their truffles, and each has its own unique properties and flavors. The spread of truffles is often done via squirrels, they like to eat truffles and the passage of the spores through their gastrointestinal tract improves the germination capacity of the truffles. Wild boars and pigs also love the truffles and the latter were used in the past to look for truffles. Nowadays only dogs are used: they are easier to train and at least leave the terrain intact. Pigs tend to stir up the ground a lot, and you also had to be quick to secure the truffles once found.

What are the most important truffle regions in Italy?

1. Umbria: Umbria is known for its black truffles (Tuber melanosporum) and summer truffles (Tuber aestivum). Umbria's black truffles are considered some of the best in the world due to their intense aroma and complex flavor. The truffle is also known in Umbria as the “King of the Table" or the "kitchen's black diamond”, due to their price, taste and rarity. The black truffles are mainly found in the area around Norcia and Spoleto
2. Piemonte: Piedmont is famous for its white truffles (Tuber magnatum). These truffles are therefore considered the most prized and precious type of truffle. They have a delicate scent and an intense taste reminiscent of garlic and honey. The town of Alba in Piedmont is an important center for the white truffle trade.
3. Toscana: Tuscany is known for its black truffles (Tuber melanosporum) and white truffles (Tuber magnatum). The black truffles from Tuscany have an intense taste and aroma, while the white truffles have a delicate and refined character. San Miniato is a famous town in Tuscany for truffle hunting and trading.
4. Le Marche: Marche is known for its black truffles (Tuber melanosporum) and summer truffles (Tuber aestivum). The black truffles from Marche have an intense taste and aroma, comparable to those from Umbria. The town of Acqualagna in Marche is an important center for the truffle trade.

Thus, the main difference between truffles from different regions can be found in their taste and aroma, which are influenced by factors such as soil conditions, climate and the environment in which they grow. Each region has its own unique terroir, resulting in subtle variations in the flavor profiles of the truffles.

If you stay with us in the summer, you could be there just when the Summer Truffle Festivals are being organized in San Venanzo: during that weekend you can eat a simple meal at the town hall in the garden at long tables; every dish contains a little bit of truffle. Afterwards there is often music and you can stay for a drink until late in the evening. People of all ages come from the area: families, grandparents, teenagers; you get a nice insight into real Italian village life.

Looking for truffles yourself?

Truffle hunts for amateurs are organized at various places in our region. You often go out for a few hours with an experienced truffle hunter (the tartufaio) and in the meantime you receive explanations about everything that has to do with truffles. The morning or day ends with lunch or drinks, of course with truffle-based dishes. We recommend that you visit the website of Meravigliosa Umbria for that kind of tour