Highlights

Europe 2oo9

Market Day in Alba, Piemonte, Northern Italy

Prize winning Tartuffi Bianco, (White Truffle)

A very proud Trifolau (Truffle Hunter) selling his white and black truffles

One of the highlights of our European Tour was visiting the city of Alba in the Piemonte region of Italy. The White Truffle festival takes place from October 3 through November 8 of 2009.

Truffles, the noble tuber, are related to the Mushroom family. The White Truffle of Alba is the culinary star of all truffles. Truffles range in size from a walnut to the size of an orange. They are worth their weight in gold.

White truffles are used in highest of high cuisine and are outrageously expensive. Truffles are found under trees by trained dogs and pigs. The truffle hunter never divulges his secret forest spot. He might leave in the very early morning hours , under a thick blanket of fog, backtracking several times.

White truffles are never cooked, they are much too delicate. Instead, are shaved over cold or warm dishes to enhance flavor.

Gina