San Miniato White Truffle Festival (12/11)

The Italian city of San Miniato is often called the «City of White Truffles». Every year in November there is a traditional festival dedicated to these wonderful mushrooms, the – White Truffle Festival. It takes place on Saturdays and Sundays throughout November, starting on the second Saturday of the month, attracting gourmets from all over the world.

White truffle – is the pride of Italy, and white truffles from the area are called «Tuber Magnatum Pico, they are considered the most valuable mushrooms. It was here that the world's largest white truffle was found, weighing 2.5 kg.

Local mushrooms are famous not only for their size, but also for their quality. White truffles from San Miniato are served in the best restaurants in the world. They are much less common and have a much deeper smell than black truffles from France, and are considered tastier than French ones, and their price sometimes exceeds two thousand euros per kilogram. Brillat Savarin wrote: «Truffles make women more gentle and men more loving».

The harvest season for these mushrooms in Italy is in November. The white truffle is short-lived, growing on tree roots and beginning to wither as soon as it is taken out of the ground. Even in the most ideal conditions, it can retain its taste for only 10 days. Therefore, true gourmets gather for the festival and look forward to the appearance of fresh mushrooms in local restaurants. Moreover, it is during this period that you can purchase or try them at reduced prices. By the way, white truffles are very often eaten raw, having previously been cut into thin slices. But there are also many dishes made from these wonderful mushrooms.

In San Miniato, they prepare for the annual festival with special care: they organize numerous tastings and master classes, where they explain how to choose and prepare truffles, and also organize a truffle auction, at which anyone can become the owner of their favorite mushroom, giving a substantial amount, or maybe «hunt truffles himself under the guidance of an experienced »trifalau« (truffle hunter).

White truffle – is not only a unique taste, but also one of the main elements of local business and culture. The white truffle festival turns the city into a huge open-air fair for almost a month, where you can not only buy your favorite delicacy, but also taste local cuisine using these famous – risotto mushrooms, pasta, sauces, butter, creams, fonduta…

As part of the holiday, you can try and purchase not only truffles, but also the best Italian wines, snails, cheeses and olive oil. Also during the festival, various theatrical performances, costume performances and music shows are held on the streets of the city.

1201