Armando Novo e il cane Leo
The Truffles of Alba Sights & Activities
The scientific name of this subterranean fungus is Tuber Magnatum Pico, better known as the White truffle of Alba, from the name of the ancient city, Alba Pompeia, which also gave birth to the Roman Emperor Pertinax. This truffle, known in the local dialect as "trifola" and rated by all the experts as the very best, is found in a restricted hilly area of the "Langhe" and in part of the Monferrato district.
In ancient times, it was thought that the truffles derived from bolts of lightning that fell close to the trees. In actual fact, they grow spontaneously only under certain trees, in particular oaks, willows, limes, poplars and cherry trees.
Gathering truffles is an art based on an indivisible "duo": man's experience in identifying the most suitable trees and the infallible scent of his dog who, having identified the precise point, digs furiously to reveal the precious fragrant prize.
The highly prized white truffle, scientific name Tuber Magnatum Pico is considered to be the truffle par excellence because of its noteworthy commercial importance. It is also known as the Truffle of Alba or of Piedmont because it is particularly abundant in this region but it is also found, to a much lesser extent, in some areas of Central Italy and in the South of France. It takes it name from Alba but is present all over Piedmont in the Monferrato, Langhe and Roero districts and partly on the hill of Turin.
The truffle lives underground and the only way the truffle gatherer can bring it to light is to form an alliance with a dog with an extremely sensitive nose and specially trained to recognise the intense aroma of the truffle.
The person who searches for the precious tuber, "armed" with his dog, experience and good fortune, is known as a "tartufaio". To comply with the law, the tartufaio must have an identify document that permits him to search for truffles in areas where this is allowed. However, the tartufaio must always respect the surrounding countryside and other people's property. When his faithful companion senses the truffle at the point where it is hidden, he indicates this to the tartufaio who starts to dig with a special small spade until the precious treasure is uncovered. The tartufaio must then replace the clods of soil he has removed. For an expert truffle gatherer, all these operations are routine also because he usually wants to avoid leaving any trace of where he has found his prize.
The scientific name of this subterranean fungus is Tuber Magnatum Pico, better known as the White truffle of Alba, from the name of the ancient city, Alba Pompeia, which also gave birth to the Roman Emperor Pertinax. This truffle, known in the local dialect as "trifola" and rated by all the experts as the very best, is found in a restricted hilly area of the "Langhe" and in part of the Monferrato district.
In ancient times, it was thought that the truffles derived from bolts of lightning that fell close to the trees. In actual fact, they grow spontaneously only under certain trees, in particular oaks, willows, limes, poplars and cherry trees.
Gathering truffles is an art based on an indivisible "duo": man's experience in identifying the most suitable trees and the infallible scent of his dog who, having identified the precise point, digs furiously to reveal the precious fragrant prize.
The highly prized white truffle, scientific name Tuber Magnatum Pico is considered to be the truffle par excellence because of its noteworthy commercial importance. It is also known as the Truffle of Alba or of Piedmont because it is particularly abundant in this region but it is also found, to a much lesser extent, in some areas of Central Italy and in the South of France. It takes it name from Alba but is present all over Piedmont in the Monferrato, Langhe and Roero districts and partly on the hill of Turin.
The truffle lives underground and the only way the truffle gatherer can bring it to light is to form an alliance with a dog with an extremely sensitive nose and specially trained to recognise the intense aroma of the truffle.
The person who searches for the precious tuber, "armed" with his dog, experience and good fortune, is known as a "tartufaio". To comply with the law, the tartufaio must have an identify document that permits him to search for truffles in areas where this is allowed. However, the tartufaio must always respect the surrounding countryside and other people's property. When his faithful companion senses the truffle at the point where it is hidden, he indicates this to the tartufaio who starts to dig with a special small spade until the precious treasure is uncovered. The tartufaio must then replace the clods of soil he has removed. For an expert truffle gatherer, all these operations are routine also because he usually wants to avoid leaving any trace of where he has found his prize.
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