FAIR LOCATIONS

ro r Tana Rive River T Maddalena Courtyard and Choir anaro 1 Eusebio Civic Museum

WITH THE MAIN SUPPORT OF WITH THE CONTRIBUTION OF torino 2 G. Busca Theatre Asti

3 Church of San Domenico CORSO nino b Via t ixio o ri sponsors no via vernazza 4 Palazzo Mostre e Congressi 9 bo via bal Piazza Pertinace aka Piazza San Giovanni 4 11 i

5 via como d u a

rato v a

r z i a m r z

Via c e i a a av n

o a c n z

g

u i a o i r v r

Piazza Risorgimento aka Piazza Duomo e n v v TECHNICAL SPONSORS media partners 6 i le ia acqu t a i i t d o e a v barbaresco e p i t v t s 5 a 6 12 a o via s i .giovanni Piazza Savona o m v 7 s a r via vid o c v i no a g ri I

ac e a E I ia m c

Piazza Falcone v L 8 z a

E

z n Via c 2 a U o

i alissan

n t

N INFORmation o r 3 A e

a

p M i

a m

i

Piazza Medford e 9 O E I

v 8 e

R d n

Ente Fiera Internazionale del Tartufo Bianco d’Alba Ente Turismo Alba Bra Langhe e Roero via belli a

O

c o

T

v Piazza Risorgimento 2, Alba (CN) c Giostra delle Cento Torri T

I 1

o

a Piazza Medford 3,Alba (CN) tel + 39 0173 35 833 a

Piazza San Paolo A V i

10 13 I g a v

tel + 39 0173 36 10 51 [email protected] - www.langheroero.it i v

[email protected] - www.fieradeltartufo.org A | V via gioberti R v T i via paruzza a d S O N E I Church of San Giuseppe i P 11 a A P z e C O O r HOTEL AND RESTAURANT BOOKINGS WINERY TOUR BOOKINGS b R A M O C S I S m R O f V e O r t C a t v 12 Beppe Fenoglio Study Centre t i e t ia c Consorzio Turistico Langhe Monferrato Roero Piemonte on Wine e s l o l 0 o i b t eo Piazza Risorgimento 2, Alba (CN) Piazza Risorgimento 2, Alba (CN) 2 un rr a a via c id i a C n i o O d v n tel + 39 0173 36 25 62 tel + 39 0173 63 50 13 R v i S ie Ferrero Foundation O b r 13 a www.turismodoc.it www.piemonteonwine.it o via roma

a c n s c k a à b 7

y a s s i

t v A FAIR FOR ALL (ADVICE FOR THE DISABLED) FOLLOW US ON r ic a 10 Truffle Market | AlbaQualità via don alberione Sportabili Maddalena Courtyard Località Toetto 2, (CN) di au tel + 39 0173 61 56 70 - 366 994 37 48 in Ente Fiera Internazionale del Tartufo Bianco d’Alba ia e www.sportabili.org Piazza Medford 3 v

a a op i

ur l a

Ente Turismo Alba Bra Langhe e Roero SO e t

barolo OR

i Centro Nazionale Studi Tartufo C O

welcome unesco! cuneo S

Piazza Risorgimento 2 R

O cortemilia Eusebio Civic Museum C 1 Tuesday to Friday: 3pm to 6pm savona Saturday and Sunday: 9am to 8pm

ALBA WHITE TRUFFLE MARKET alba truffle show folklore EXHIBITIONS ALBAQUALITÀ

ALBA TRUFFLE SHOW HEADLINE EVENTS Photo Aldo Agnelli Archivio Centro Studi Beppe Fenoglio Cooking demo with Matteo Baronetto, chef at the restaurant Del Cambio, Maddalena Courtyard - Sala Foodies - Sunday 12 October at 11am Cooking demo and presentation of the book Casa Rugiati by Simone Rugiati investiture of the podesta Anselm Kiefer . Der Rhein / THE RHINE Maddalena Courtyard - Sala Foodies - Sunday 19 October at 4pm The town hall is given a historical makeover, with a cast in period costume and an exciting re-enactment. An exhibition organized with the support of the Ceretto family and featuring the work of noted Cooking demo with Chef Rubio, star of DMAX (digital terrestrial channel 52) Piazza Risorgimento - Saturday 27 September at 9pm German contemporary sculptor and painter Anselm Kiefer. Maddalena Courtyard - Sala Foodies - Saturday 25 October at 4pm Maddalena Choir - From Saturday 13 September to Sunday 9 November - Free entry Tuesday to Friday from 3pm to 6pm / Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm Cooking demo with Ken Frank of La Toque restaurant, Napa, California MEDIEVAL PROCESSION Maddalena Courtyard - Sala Foodies - Sunday 26 October at 11am A magnificent parade through the town streets with over a thousand characters - noblewomen, knights and commoners - ALDO AGNELLI . PAINTER AND PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE PALIO ‘Five Women in Search of Pasta’ with Anna Prandoni, editor of La cucina Italiana magazine to the sound of drums and the waving of flags. Each district will act out an episode from medieval history in the Palio arena. Church of San Domenico - From Friday 3 October to Sunday 9 November - Free entry Maddalena Courtyard - Sala Foodies - Saturday 1 November at 4pm Start from Piazza Savona - Sunday 5 October at 2.30pm Monday to Sunday from 10am to 12.30pm and from 3pm to 6pm Cooking demo ‘In Search of Lost Tastes’ with Ugo Alciati and Samanta Cornaviera Maddalena Courtyard - Sala Foodies - Sunday 2 November at 11am DONKEY PALIO Felice Casorati . COLLECTIONS AND EXHIBITIONS FROM EUROPE AND AMERICAS by with Alba’s nine districts compete for a painted cloth, the Palio, in a beautiful and exhilarating donkey race, Presentation of the book 100% Alba Enrico Crippa - Ceretto La Pina & Diego di Radio DEEJAY 65 paintings by Felice Casorati, including 40 from collections held by national and international museums Maddalena Courtyard - Sala Foodies - Sunday 2 November at 5pm conducted with great respect for the animals’ welfare. The donkeys are assigned to the districts in a draw, held at 10am in Piazza Risorgimento. and institutions. Organized by Alba’s Ferrero Foundation and gam - Civic Gallery of Modern and Events moderated by . Buy your ticket on Paola Gula Piazza Medford - Sunday 5 October at 4.30pm Contemporary Arts of Turin, in collaboration with the regional department for historical, artistic Events are free with entry to the Truffle Market and AlbaQualità:€ 2.50 and ethnoanthropological heritage. The Alba White Truffle Market is the place to come to find out everything there is to know about foodies Moments TRUFFLE BACCHANAL | MEDIEVAL FAIR Ferrero Foundation - From Saturday 25 October 2014 to Sunday 1 February 2015 - Free entry Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 3pm to 7pm and Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 10am to 7pm the truffle, immersing yourself in a unique and headily scented atmosphere. Every Alba white Cooking demos in which famous chefs revisit the themes of local cooking, paired with the best of Two captivating, tradition-packed events as the town presents itself in splendid medieval guise, truffle on sale at the market has been checked by a commission before the market is opened the Langhe and Roero’s wines. Events moderated by Paola Gula. welcoming visitors with torches and music and the flavours and fragrances of the past. , and this group of experts will also be available for consultation at the THE LAND WITHIN to the public consumer help Chefs: Maurilio Garola, Davide Palluda, Ugo Alciati, Walter Ferretto, Alessandro Boglione. Old town - Saturday 18 October from 6pm and Sunday 19 October from 10am desk inside the pavilions. The Alba White Truffle Market offers visitors the chance to see, touch and Maddalena Courtyard - Sala Foodies - Every Saturday at 11am An exhibition of the art of Massimo Berruti and Gabriella Rosso. smell many, many truffles, sold directly by trustworthy vendors and local truffle hunters. Chef: Pasquale Laera. Church of San Giuseppe - From Saturday 11 October to Sunday 2 November - Free entry Maddalena Courtyard - Sala Foodies - Sunday 19 October at 11am Monday to Friday from 2.30pm to 7pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 12.30pm and 2.30pm to 7pm The large space hosting the Alba White Truffle Market is also home to the stands of the AlbaQualità Chefs: Manuel and Christian Costardi. GUIDED TOURS food and wine exhibition. Here you can discover wines from the Langhe and Roero, the delights Maddalena Courtyard - Sala Foodies - Sunday 16 November at 11am Buy your ticket on A HERITAGE TO EXPLORE of local artisanal confectionery, cheeses, egg pastas, cured meats and all the other food products To book: [email protected] - +39 0173 36 10 51 An exhibition of photographs of the vineyard landscapes of the Langhe and Roero and that have brought international fame to this area. UNDERGROUND ALBA Monferrato, the 50th Italian site to be included in the unesco World Heritage list. TRUFFLE SENSORY ANALYSIS Piazza Savona - From Saturday 4 October to Sunday 16 November - Free entry Lovers of the the Langhe and Roero’s great cuisine can also enjoy a bite to eat at the restaurant Travel with an archeologist to the heart of the town. A sensory analysis judge will reveal the secrets of the Alba white truffle, with olfactory tastings and sensory tests. Sunday 28 September and every Saturday and Sunday between 4 October and 16 November area within the Fair’s pavilions. Maddalena Courtyard - Sala Workshop - Every Saturday at 11am and 3.30pm and Sunday at 11am Booking essential - +39 339 734 99 49 - +39 342 643 33 95 - www.ambientecultura.it To book: [email protected] - +39 0173 228190 Every Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 8pm Consumer Help Desk: DINNER THEATRE Entry to the Truffle Market and AlbaQualità:€ 2.50 National Truffle Study Centre wine tasting experience PANORAMIC ALBA Groups of more than 30: € 2 Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 8pm Enologists and sommeliers will guide you along a journey through local wine varieties. Get a different perspective on the town. Under age 15: free at the Truffle Market Maddalena Courtyard - Sala Workshop - Every Saturday at 5.30pm in English and every Sunday at 3.30pm in Every Sunday from 5 October to 2 November Dinner at the theatre, on the stage, with the flavours of the Langhe and Roero presented by chef Monday to Friday from 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm Italian. To book: [email protected] - +39 0173 22 09 43 Booking recommended - +39 0173 36 40 30 - www.turismoinlanga.it Maurilio Garola of the restaurant La Ciau del Tornavento, with a show by Beppe Rosso and the Piazza Risorgimento 2, Alba a.c.t.i. company. Courses will be served directly on stage and the actors, sitting amongst the More information: www.tuber.it foodies moments junior INTRODUCING ALBA audience, will interact with diners. All with the option of Alba white Truffles, of course. Cooking workshops for kids. Following in the tracks of the figures who made the ‘Capital of the Langhe’ their home over the centuries. G. Busca Theatre - Thursday 9 October at 8 pm Alba white truffles can also be bought from the town’s specialty stores throughout truffle season Maddalena Courtyard - Sala Workshop - Every Sunday at 4.30pm Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 October, Sunday 12 October, Saturday 25 October, Sunday 9 November Show plus dinner: € 100 (Alba white truffles not included) Buy your ticket on (21 September – 31 January). Free event with entry to the Truffle Market and AlbaQualità:€ 2.50 Booking recommended - +39 349 157 35 06 - +39 339 101 46 35 - [email protected] [email protected] - +39 0173 36 10 51

BEFORE THE FAIR 1 2 Events in September Palio Weekend Fair Weekend Other events in town Fair Weekend Other events in town Saturday 13 September SATURDAY 4 AND SUNDAY 5 OCTOBER THURSDAY 9 OCTOBER THURSDAY 9 OCTOBER SATURDAY 18 AND SUNDAY 19 OCTOBER FRIDAY 17 OCTOBER

Piazza prunotto 8.00 maddalena choir 21.00 TOWN SQUARES AND STREETS G. Busca Theatre 20.00 Maddalena Courtyard old town 17.00 - 20.00 la bela trifolera STREET MARKET DINNER THEATRE Buy your ticket on CATTLE SHOW ALBA WHITE TRUFFLE open alba Beauty contest. LOCAL FOOD MARKETS: With Maurilio Garola MARKET | ALBAQUALITà Food, Wine & Music. Free tastings and meetings • EARTH MARKET SATURDAY 11 AND SUNDAY 12 OCTOBER with food producers, in collaboration with local • cartolina dal territorio businesses and the ACA. Maddalena Courtyard Sunday 14 September • la spesa in campagna FRIDAY 10 OCTOBER TOWN SQUARES AND STREETS • campagna amica Alba Truffle Show church of san giuseppe 21.00 piazza risorgimento 16.30 G. Busca Theatre 17.30 STREET MARKET This weekend: ‘Jazz&Co: jAZZ TASTINGS’ LOCAL FOOD MARKETS: • COOKING DEMO with simone rugiati • EARTH MARKET MARATHON FENOGLIO READING SUNDAY 5 OCTOBER INAUGURATION OF THE • presentation of the book casa rugiati JCL - Italian jazz standards. TH • cartolina dal territorio ’s biggest jazz hits. 84 INTERNATIONAL by simone rugiati • la spesa in campagna piazza risorgimento 10.00 ALBA WHITE TRUFFLE FAIR • FOODIES MOMENTs with Pasquale laera • campagna amica Sunday 21 September • TRUFFLE SENSORY ANALYSIS ALLOCATION OF DONKEYS TO Piazza falcone 9.00 - 20.00 • wine tasting experience SATURDAY 18 AND SUNDAY 19 OCTOBER sferisterio mermet 8.45 THE DISTRICTS SATURDAY 11 AND SUNDAY 12 OCTOBER • foodies moments junior raspini village TOWN SQUARES AND STREETS BOCCE COMPETITION and church of san giuseppe 11.00 Maddalena Courtyard bocciodromo albese 14.00 EXHIBITIONS PETANQUE EVENT STREET MARKET classica XXVIII INTERNATIONAL ‘TRUFFLE LOCAL FOOD MARKETS: ALBA WHITE TRUFFLE GUIDED TOURS • EARTH MARKET piazza garibaldi 9.40 International Alba White Truffle Fair concerts with FAIR’ BOCCE COMPETITION the Alba Music Festival. MARKET | ALBAQUALITà • campagna amica JUNIOR RUN UNDER THE TOWERS www.albamusicfestival.com www.triangolosport.it Maddalena Courtyard SATURDAY 11 OCTOBER SaturDAY 18 OCTOBER piazza garibaldi 10.00 piazza savona - old town 14.30 SaturDAY 18 OCTOBER Alba Truffle Show Palazzo comunale 1o.30 old town 20.00 - 24.00 This weekend: 15.00 RUN UNDER THE TOWERS MEDIEVAL PROCESSION TRUFFLE BACCHANAL piazza san paolo Non-competitive run through the streets of Alba. • COOKING DEMO with matteo baronetto INTERNATIONAL FORUM OF UNESCO • FOODIES MOMENTs with maurilio garola SITES – EUROPEAN VINEYARD VINTAGE CAR SHOW www.triangolosport.it piazza medford 16.30 • TRUFFLE SENSORY ANALYSIS LANDSCAPES Organized by CLAMS. • wine tasting experience SUNDAY 19 OCTOBER donkey palio • foodies moments junior Piazza risorgimento 15.30 SATURDAY 27 SEPTEMBER Preceded by historical re- Buy your ticket on old town 10.00 - 19.00 enactments by the districts. PANTALERA (TRADITIONAL BALL EXHIBITIONS piazza risorgimento 21.00 GAME) IN COSTUME MEDIEVAL FAIR investiture of the podesta GUIDED TOURS AFTER THE FAIR SUNDAY 12 OCTOBER

SunDAY 28 SEPTEMBER SUNDAY 18 JANUARY 2015 SUNDAY 12 OCTOBER Maddalena Courtyard 9.00

OLD TOWN 14.00 - 20.00 canale - piazza italia 9.00 old town 10.00 FRESH MUSHROOM EXHIBITION church of san giuseppe 11.00 wine festival V REGIONAL MEETING OF TRUFFLE Albaromatica Tastings of wine from the Langhe and Roero. HUNTERS AND TRUFFLE DOGS A market celebrating the versatility of culinary and classica Guest wines from Fogo Island, Cape Verde. medicinal herbs and spices takes over the centre of International Alba White Truffle Fair concerts with www.gowinet.it Alba. the Alba Music Festival. www.turismoinlanga.it www.albamusicfestival.com

See more details

3 4 5 6 Fair Weekend Other events in town Fair Weekend Other events in town Fair Weekend Other events in town Fair Weekend Other events in town SATURDAY 25 AND SUNDAY 26 OCTOBER WEDNESDAY 22 AND THURSDAY 23 OCTOBER SATURDAY 1 AND SUNDAY 2 NOVEMBER FRIDAY 31 OCTOBER SATURDAY 8 AND SUNDAY 9 NOVEMBER WEDNESDAY 5 NOVEMBER SATURDAY 15 AND SUNDAY 16 NOVEMBER THURSDAY 13 NOVEMBER

Maddalena Courtyard Cortiletto d’Alba restaurant 20.00 Maddalena Courtyard old town 17.00 - 20.00 Maddalena Courtyard enoclub restaurant 20.00 Maddalena Courtyard church of san domenico 20.30 ALBA WHITE TRUFFLE dinner... in the dark ALBA WHITE TRUFFLE open alba ALBA WHITE TRUFFLE dinner... in the dark ALBA WHITE TRUFFLE IX LANGHE AND ROERO MARKET | ALBAQUALITà A dinner served completely in the dark to help MARKET | ALBAQUALITà Food, Wine & Music. Free tastings and meetings MARKET | ALBAQUALITà A dinner served completely in the dark to help MARKET | ALBAQUALITà CHORAL FESTIVAL rediscover the other senses. Wednesday in Italian, with food producers, in collaboration with local rediscover the other senses. Also Thursdays 20 and 27 November and 4 Thursday in English. businesses and the ACA. + 39 0173 33994 | [email protected] | € 45 Maddalena Courtyard Maddalena Courtyard Maddalena Courtyard Maddalena Courtyard December. + 39 0173 36 60 05 | [email protected] | € 40 church of san giuseppe 21.00 Alba Truffle Show Alba Truffle Show Alba Truffle Show SATURDAY 8 AND SUNDAY 9 NOVEMBER Alba Truffle Show SATURDAY 15 AND SUNDAY 16 NOVEMBER This weekend: FRIDAY 24 OCTOBER This weekend: ‘Jazz&Co: jazz tastings’ This weekend: This weekend: • COOKING DEMO with CHEF rubio • Presentation of the book 100% ALBA • FOODIES MOMENTs with walter ferretto • FOODIES MOMENTs Voz e Violao: bossa nova. • COOKING DEMO with ken frank (California) by enrico crippa - ceretto • TRUFFLE SENSORY ANALYSIS TOWN SQUARES AND STREETS with alessandro boglione TOWN SQUARES AND STREETS • FOODIES MOMENTs with davide palluda old town 17.00 - 20.00 with la pina e diego di radio deejay • wine tasting experience • FOODIES MOMENTs • TRUFFLE SENSORY ANALYSIS ‘chef is a deejay’ • foodies moments junior STREET MARKET with manuel and christian costardi STREET MARKET • wine tasting experience open alba • ‘Five Women in Search of Pasta’ SATURDAY 1 AND SUNDAY 2 NOVEMBER LOCAL FOOD MARKETS: • TRUFFLE SENSORY ANALYSIS LOCAL FOOD MARKETS: Free tastings and meetings • foodies moments junior Food, Wine & Music. with anna prandoni of la cucina italiana EXHIBITIONS • EARTH MARKET • wine tasting experience • EARTH MARKET with food producers, in collaboration with local • cooking demo with ugo alciati and TOWN SQUARES AND STREETS • campagna amica • foodies moments junior • campagna amica businesses and the ACA. samanta cornaviera EXHIBITIONS STREET MARKET GUIDED TOURS • FOODIES MOMENTs with ugo alciati EXHIBITIONS G. Busca Theatre 21.00 • TRUFFLE SENSORY ANALYSIS LOCAL FOOD MARKETS: SUNDAY 9 NOVEMBER SUNDAY 16 NOVEMBER GUIDED TOURS • wine tasting experience • EARTH MARKET piazza risorgimento 9.00 - 20.00 ‘Jazz&Co: jazz tastings’ • foodies moments junior • campagna amica GUIDED TOURS church of san giuseppe 11.00 church of san giuseppe 11.00 piazza risorgimento Rita Marcotulli in concert. CHOCOLATE FROM THE piazza Falcone 9.00 - 20.00 ’S ARTISAN classica piazza risorgimento 10.00 - 18.00 FESTIVAL OF BEEF AND EXHIBITIONS classica CONFECTIONERS AND FINE International Alba White Truffle Fair concerts with LANGHE BREAD SATURDAY 25 AND SUNDAY 26 OCTOBER DESCRIBING CRAFTSMANSHIP PIEDMONT’S PDO CHEESES AND International Alba White Truffle Fair concerts with GRAPPAS FROM THE PIEDMONT the Alba Music Festival. the Alba Music Festival. Tastings organized by the Association of Alba GUIDED TOURS . Organized by Confartigianato Cuneo. FINE LOCAL WINES Metals GRAPPA INSTITUTE www.albamusicfestival.com www.albamusicfestival.com Butchers and Producers of ‘Pan ed Langa’ (Langhe TOWN SQUARES AND STREETS Piedmont’s PDO cheeses (in collaboration with Live production and tastings of chocolate bread). old town 9.00 - 20.00 ONAF) paired with great reds from the Langhe STREET MARKET paired with some of Piedmont’s best grappas. castle 12.00 LANGHE AND ROERO IN THE SUNDAY 2 NOVEMBER and Roero. LOCAL FOOD MARKETS: XV INTERNATIONAL ALBA WHITE • EARTH MARKET PIAZZA WITH LA GRANDA SUNDAY 26 OCTOBER piazza risorgimento 9.00 TRUFFLE AUCTION • cartolina dal territorio The typical products that exemplify Alba and • campagna amica the province of Cuneo. piazza medford 10.00 BARBARESCO AND ALBA WHITE www.gowinet.it TRUFFLE ECO-MARATHON piazza Falcone 9.00 - 20.00 TRUFFLE DOG DAY 5th Alba Marathon. piazza risorgimento 10.00 - 18.00 Hunting competition. DESCRIBING CRAFTSMANSHIP www.triangolosport.it Metals. Organized by Confartigianato Cuneo. THE BEST HAZELNUT IN THE WORLD AND MOSCATO D’ASTI church san giuseppe 11.00 DOCG classica SUNDAY 26 OCTOBER The unique characteristics and taste quality of International Alba White Truffle Fair concerts with pgi Piedmont hazelnuts paired with Moscato the Alba Music Festival. piazza risorgimento 15.00 d’Asti docg. www.albamusicfestival.com flag festival what is A truffle

EPIGEOUS Fungus

white truffle life SYMBIONT PLANTS CYCLE

HYPOGEOUS Fungus Tuber Magnatum prefers marly-chalky terrain at altitudes below 700 metres above sea level, with fairly aerated but not overly permeable soil, moderate moisture in the surface layers even in the

Truffle is the common name used for the fruiting bodies (sporocarps) of fungi from driest months, a significant amount of limestone, a low content of phosphorous and nitrogen, a high the Tuber genus that spend their entire life cycle underground (hypogeous). potassium content, a ph between 6.8 and 8.5, little organic matter and spring and summer rains, ideally They are formed by an external layer known as the peridium. close to waterways along the valley floor but without stagnant water and with a moderate slope. A specific relationship between environmental conditions, the soil’s chemical composition and moisture and the

hyphae The internal fleshy mass, called gleba, is run through by climate is necessary. branching veins of varying thickness which surround mycorrhiza alveoli containing the large cells (asci) that The following symbiont trees are also suited to this type of terrain: bear the spores.

mycelium

SPOREs english turkey sessile downy black silver carolina oak oak oak oak poplar poplar poplar FRUITING BODY Tuber magnatum Pico

aspen goat white linden hop hazelnut willow willow hornbeam

Truffles must live in symbiosis with trees or shrubs in order to produce the precious sporocarp. An exchange of substances between truffle and plant takes place at the root level via a structure known as mycorrhiza. Mycorrhizae are a kind of coupling formed by networks of branched, tubular filaments called hyphae, which wrap around the ends of the tree’s terminal rootlets and, penetrating the first levels of root cells, form a network called a mycelium.

Through this connection, the plant offers various substances to the fungus, receiving in exchange water and mineral salts. Many hyphae split off from the network and spread out, branching into the soil, in search of nutrients. When Spherical in shape, often slightly flattened the environmental conditions are right, a number of hyphae interlace and produce a fruiting body, with the gleba and irregular, the truffle has a pale yellow or containing the spores. When the spores germinate, they produce a new mycelium. ochreish outer layer known as the peridium. The flesh, or gleba, is run through by many Hypogeous (underground) fungi cannot take advantage of air currents to spread their spores. Instead, white, branching veins, and varies in colour evolution has given them a strong odour, perceptible only when the spores mature, which attracts from milk white to dark pink to brownish. insects and mammals who feed on the truffle and spread the spores. Truffles vary in size. They are collected from late summer, throughout autumn and up until early winter. white truffles this fungus only grows wild, and no cultivation in the kitchen techniques have been developed so far.

Over the last century, Tuber magnatum’s fame has spread around the world, conquering the planet’s most fashionable tables. Its voluptuous versatility and unique capacity to render any dish magnificent make this a very special underground fungus. It takes only a few grams, barely ten, to embellish a plate. Recipes using truffles are based on their versatility and ability to add value to any dish, even when not specifically created with truffles in mind.

A few tips for fully enjoying white truffles: they should be eaten raw and shaved thinly with a special truffle slicer over fairly neutral foods, the essential base for showcasing their complex, intense and overwhelming aroma. instructions the hunt for use

To track down a truffle, a truffle hunter or “trifolao” requires the help of a dog with an excellent sense of smell, trained to recognize the scent of the fungus. Truffle hunters must have a special permit for which they pay an annual fee. They must also follow harvesting calendars for the different Tuber species, which vary for every region where truffles can be found.

In Piedmont, Alba white truffles can be hunted from 21 September to 31 January. storage cleaning When a dog smells a truffle in the forest, it notifies the hunter, who uses a special blade to extract it In the refrigerator (3-6°C) wrapped in a paper Truffles should be cleaned with a brush under with great delicacy. towel and stored in a sealed glass container. A cold water to remove any soil, then carefully To allow the formation of new rootlets, it is of fresh truffle can be kept for around a week, but dried and consumed after about ten minutes. utmost importance that the hunter replaces any should be consumed as soon as possible. dirt removed. Then hopefully a new fruiting body will form.

serving EATing

glossary A special truffle slicer is essential to White truffle is a seasoning and should shaving the truffle into very thin slices. always be eaten raw, never cooked. It The finer the blade is adjusted is perfect sliced at the table over (a few tenths of a millimetre) a fresh egg pasta like tajarin, peridium gleba spore ascus the more intense the fried eggs or fonduta fragrance. (Italian fondue).

terminal rootlets End part of a plant’s root. MYcelium The mass of hyphae that make up the vegetative part of a fungus.

ascus Sac-like cell containing the spores. mycorrhiza The structure formed by the union of the hyphae and a plant’s roots.

epigeous FUNGUS A fungus that develops its fruiting body above ground. Peridium External layer that protects against bacteria and other fungi.

HYPOGEOUS FUNGUS A fungus that completes its entire life cycle below ground. Symbiosis Association between individuals of different species that live together in a close and mutually advantageous relationship.

Graphic design and layout: UP Studio - Alba gleba Fleshy, dense internal pulp. spore Reproductive cell. Cover photograph: Giorgio Pulcini Internal photographs: Stefania Spadoni Illustrations: Massimo Ricci HYPHA Filament made up of fungal cells. Sporocarp The fruit, i.e. the truffle, strictly speaking. Printing: L’Artigiana - Alba