Truffle, the Master of Flavor

In the clay soil of central Istria resides the truffle, a well-hidden master of flavors, drawing from the darkness all the threads of Istrian gastronomy. This unsightly tuberous mushroom is equally fascinating to the old cook in a stanzia in inland Istria and a young chef in a luxury hotel on the coast of the peninsula.

It is regarded as an aphrodisiac, and called Istrian gold and the king of Istrian gastronomy. It was enjoyed by ancient Romans, and today it is more precious than ever. Its intensive aroma enriching fritada or fuži is essential to the traditional Istrian cuisine. In best Istrian restaurants, it is an enduring inspiration for appetizers, salads, main dishes, and even desserts.

Go hunting for truffles  
Pulling a truffle out of the ground is not an easy task. You need long-sleeved robust clothing and boots for wading on moist forest land.  Our human nose cannot smell a truffle beneath the layers of clay soil, so you need the help of trained dogs.

The truffle epicenter of Istria is the Motovun Forest, in the valley of the Mirna river. The truffle area extends to the northeast to Buzet and Lupoglav, to the southeast along the Raša river in Labinština and to the south to Pazin.
In addition to hunting for truffles, the valley of the Mirna river also offers numerous other top-quality Istrian experiences.

Which types of truffles can be found in Istria?  
Truffles differ in shape, color, smell and flavor. Although there are around sixty types of truffles, in Istria you can find three pre-dominant distinctive types in terms of number and flavor.

Tuber magnatum Pico - the white truffle
This truffle has a round yellowish body, covered with dark red spots. The skin is smooth or slightly warty. You can find it near an oak, willow, poplar and linden. Due to its specific flavor and smell, it was proclaimed a culinary king. It is eaten raw.

Tuber melanosporum Vittadini - the black truffle
It is round and sometimes divided into lobes. Its coal-black skin is covered with flattened warts dented at the top and longitudinally grooved. Pick it near an oak, hazel or hop hornbeam. Due to its specific flavor and aromatic scent, it is highly regarded in culinary arts, and the French consider it the highest-quality black truffle.

Tuber aestivum Vittadini - the summer truffle
It is marked by a black-skinned round body crosswise covered with pyramidal, visible warts. This most frequent truffle in Istria can be found near an oak, hazel, poplar, beech and pine.

Taste the Original Truffle  
If you are a gourmand who is not prone to hunting for truffles, choose one of the top restaurants in which the truffle is the essential ingredient.

Members of the club The Real Truffle-Tartufo vero are only taverns and restaurants that treat the truffle as the king of gastronomy. The top chefs of these restaurants and taverns know all types of Istrian truffles and use them as an inspiration for gastronomic masterpieces that will compel you to return to Istria. Choose your culinary oasis of the Real Truffle!

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