Why Truffle Hunting in Alba and Piedmont?
The Ultimate Guide to Truffle Hunting in Alba contains valuable information and answers to the most frequently asked questions, including myths and misconceptions that anyone interested in booking a truffle tour should know.
Truffle hunting is a beloved tradition where trained dogs, guided by hunters, search for the prized white truffle (Tuber Magnatum Pico), which is considered one of the world’s most expensive and aromatic truffles. However, truffle hunting can also be arranged for summer black truffles and other varieties that grow in different seasons (see below).
Alba, Asti, and other territories in Italy’s Piedmont are renowned for their truffle-rich woodlands, particularly in the Langhe, Roero, and Monferrato Hills in the southern part of the region.
Located about an hour’s drive from Turin and almost two hours from Milan, Piedmont boasts a sedimentary, mineral-rich soil composition, a unique microclimate, and other conditions that contribute to the distinctive aroma of the region’s truffles.
Participating in a truffle hunt in Alba offers a fun and informative easy hiking through the woods, surrounded by vineyards, plains, and hilltops in the picturesque Piedmont countryside.
The Ultimate Guide to Truffle Hunting in Alba: Where Do Truffles Come From?
Alba is renowned for its white truffle, summer black truffles, and other varieties that thrive in the hills of southern Piedmont, extending into the provinces of Asti and Alessandria.
However, it’s a misconception that Alba is the sole locale where the white truffle achieves its finest quality. Although Alba was the first to invest significantly in promoting and marketing the white truffle globally, thanks to pioneering local entrepreneurs like Giacomo Morra, the founder of the International Truffle Fair, other parts of Piedmont also produce exceptional truffles.
While Alba is synonymous with the world’s best white truffles, the quest for these rare fungi can lead to woodlands across the Langhe, Monferrato, and Roero Hills. For those interested in Meet Piemonte’s truffle tours, hunting experiences can be organized within a 45-minute drive from Alba.
Notably, fewer truffles are located immediately around Alba, primarily due to extensive vine cultivation that has severely diminished or even eliminated nearby forests. In contrast, the hills surrounding Asti and certain areas in the province of Alessandria (Monferrato Hills), the terrain north of Alba (Roero Hills), and the northern part of the Langhe Hills still retain wild forest patches and private truffle woods with venerable trees.
This delicate environment, conducive to spontaneous truffle growth, remains largely untouched by agricultural or industrial encroachment. Based on availability, Meet Piemonte will arrange your experience in one of the region’s truffle woods. Directions and the hunter’s contact information are provided post-booking.
Is the Truffle Hunting Real or Staged?
The Ultimate Guide to Truffle Hunting in Alba addresses a common question: is the hunt authentic or staged?
To start, participating in a full truffle hunt is quite the workout (think bootcamp!) that spans several hours in muddy, slippery woods that aren’t exactly inviting.
Most hunters venture out in the early hours, undeterred by cold and rain, as they prefer to keep the location of potential finds a secret.
However, our trusted truffle hunters have mapped out easier paths—nothing too strenuous—leading through genuine truffle woods where truffles are commonly (though not always) found within a manageable distance.
Guests eager to participate in the nighttime hunt come well-equipped for the adventure, but for many, it’s more about enjoying a pleasant stroll in the woods rather than a rigorous workout!
Only in cases of severe drought or closed season, it may be necessary to simulate a find by temporarily placing a small black truffle to demonstrate how the dog detects it. In this situation, you will be informed ahead of time that it’s a staged scenario.
Regardless, the dog remains unaware of where the truffle is hidden, keeping the search just as challenging even if the hunter has concealed it.
Can I Keep Truffles Found by the Truffle Hunter?
No! You can purchase them directly from the truffle hunter, who will weigh the truffles on a scale and charge you according to the price of the day.
Why Should I Pay for a Truffle Hunt?
Meeting the truffle hunter and their dog is always a highlight in itself. Known as “tartufai” in Italian, and “trifolai” in Piedmontese, these hunters are legendary figures who brave the foggy, melancholic autumn weather in search of truffles. They then sell their funds directly to restaurants, shops, or at regional markets and fairs.
Witnessing the unique bond between the hunter and the dog in the woods adds to the experience. Additionally, the hunt doubles as a guided tour through the woods, offering an informative experience complete with curiosities, botanical insights, ecosystem facts, dog training techniques, and more.
This is an experience that many people rarely encounter, and it ranks among the highlights of your Piedmont tour, as confirmed by our guests’ reviews.
Perfect for food enthusiasts eager to learn about truffles, families with dog-loving children, and anyone interested in participating in a time-honored tradition, truffle hunting promises to create lasting memories of hunter’s wise gestures and Piedmont’s countryside.
How Long Does the Truffle Hunting in Alba Last?
Our Private Alba Truffle Hunting lasts approximately 90 minutes in the woods, followed by a food tasting with the hunter, bringing the whole experience to roughly two hours.
The time spent in the woodlands around Alba during our Truffle Hunting and Barolo Wine Tasting, as well as in the Truffle Hunting from Turin with Lunch, is also 90 minutes; however, the additional wine tasting or lunch will extend the tour. Click on each link above for specific details.
Is the Truffle Hunting in Piedmont an Active Experience?
In addition to walking along easy, occasionally muddy paths with moderate inclines and uneven surfaces, participants are invited to assist the hunter in the primitive act of extracting truffles from the soil. This delicate process relies solely on the hands, as one must feel for bumps in the ground.
Overall, truffle hunting in Piedmont offers an engaging experience that is quite active; however, the physical strength required is minimal, and the distances traveled on foot are moderate.
Are Rubber Boots Available?
In winter and autumn, trails can be slippery, and truffle hunting often requires stepping off the path onto grass or muddy surfaces. In contrast, during spring and summer, the environment can be dusty. Bugs and weeds are natural elements that we may encounter while truffle hunting.
For autumn and rainy days, Meet Piemonte can provide a limited number of rubber boots, which are best requested at the time of booking. In that case, an extra pair of socks is recommended.
For dry days, sneakers are acceptable; however, trekking boots are always suggested for all seasons.
Piedmont’s Official Seasons for Truffle Hunting
Truffle hunting can be scheduled during various seasons, as each type of truffle develops within specific timeframes. Piedmont’s Regional Board of Agriculture safeguards the truffle’s fragile environment, dictating the start and end dates for each hunting season.
The season for the white truffle of Alba (Tuber Magnatum Pico) runs from October 1st to January. The summer black truffle (Tuber Aestivum Vitt), known locally as “scorzone,” can be harvested from April until the end of August. While its aroma and flavor may not match the intensity of the white truffle, the thrill of truffle hunting remains the same.
Dogs, trained to detect the scent of black truffles, which is milder than that of white truffles, can successfully locate both varieties. Though hunters may notice slight differences in the dogs’ behavior, the experience of searching for truffles is fundamentally identical.
Locals recognize that Alba’s white truffles reach their peak quality when the first cold weather arrives. Thus, from mid-November through December, it’s advisable to visit Piedmont to savor the strong, pungent aroma of truffles at their finest. Although Alba’s International Truffle Fair usually ends in early December, traveling to Piedmont in the following weeks offers significant benefits, such as increased hotel availability and lower prices.
Are Dogs or Pigs Used to Hunt Truffles in Piedmont?
Pigs… well… perhaps in the Middle Ages, possibly in France. It’s tough to picture a hunter driving into the woods with a pig in the trunk!
We likely owe our discovery of this earthy delicacy to pigs and wild boars. Initially thought to be a tuber, truffles were later identified as underground mushrooms.
Nowadays, pigs aren’t used for this purpose and are, in fact, prohibited; their natural behavior of snuffling and rooting through the soil disrupts the fragile ecosystem.
Instead, dogs take center stage in the hunt: they are friendly and possess impressive stamina, running freely with their noses to the ground. These dogs are well-acquainted with the forests where they’ve been trained inch by inch over the years.
Only dogs with a notably sharp sense of smell are chosen for this role. During our tours, the hunter shares stories and answers questions while keeping a close watch on the dog, as its paws could potentially damage the valuable truffles.
The Ultimate Guide to Truffle Hunting in Alba: What Is a Truffle?
Tartufo, the Italian term for truffle, derives from the vulgar Latin word tufera, which itself comes from tuber, meaning hump, knob, or tumor!
Truffles refer to various species of underground fungi, so think more of potatoes than porcini mushrooms. Spores develop in a grape-like structure known as an ascocarp. Truffles do not produce seeds or flowers, nor do they possess roots, stems, or leaves. Instead, they thrive through a symbiotic relationship with the roots of specific trees.
Which Trees Are Essential for Alba’s White Truffle?
The primary trees for the growth of Alba’s white truffle are oak, willow, poplar, and linden. The symbiosis allows for a complex and efficient exchange of water, minerals, and vital nutrients between the truffle and the tree’s roots.
The French black truffle
The most famous black truffle is called Tuber Melanosporum Vitt and it can be found in Piedmont as well as in Umbria (the town of Norcia is famous for that!) and in France.
It has an ebony surface, mostly smooth, while the dark (sometimes purple) flesh is marbled with white veins. It grows in the same period of the white truffle.
The summer black truffle
Tuber Aestivum, referred to as “scorzone” (derived from scorza, meaning thick skin or zest), the summer truffle is the least valuable variety, characterized by its wrinkled, dark exterior and lightly colored—sometimes even white—interior.
While its aroma and taste cannot compare to that of the white truffle, discovering these black truffles on a sunny, warm summer morning remains a delight. They produce their finest fragrance when shaved and paired with salt and olive oil over local cow or goat cheese or, even better, briefly cooked.
The Ultimate Guide to Truffle Hunting in Alba: The White Truffle
Tuber Magnatum Pico is the scientific name for Alba’s white truffle, recognized as the finest and most costly variety. This truffle’s season lasts from October to January, featuring a creamy beige hue that contrasts beautifully with the white veins in its flesh.
While local hunters from Alba claim that the region produces the best white truffles, it’s important to note that the southern Piedmont region of Italy is also renowned for this delicacy. Read more on our blog about Alba’s White Truffle price, information to know when purchasing, how to clean white truffles, how long fresh white truffles can last, serving quantities, and things to know about truffle-based condiments and truffle oil.
It’s true that soil composition varies from hill to hill, with geological ages differing by millions of years within just a few miles. Consequently, the compact clay soil of the Langhe hills (near Alba) poses challenges for truffle development, resulting in a typically bumpier and more irregular shape.
In contrast, the sandy, softer soil found in the Roero and Monferrato hill districts tends to yield truffles that are more uniformly shaped.
