TRUFFLE IN TUSCANY - Your truffle hunting and tasting experience

The research in the woods: a true authentic "truffle beating", accompanied by expert truffle hunters with their dogs. It lasts for about five hours since the moment of the meeting. This is a very unique experience, which takes place in the beautiful hills surrounding San Miniato. It requires equipment suitable for wood: long trousers and high shoes or boots. The paths are simple but not flat because of the hilly land. The departure could be scheduled for the early morning (until lunch time) or for the early afternoon (until the sunset).

Both experiences include a very detailed explanation about the white truffle of San Miniato in Italian or in English (with the support of an interpreter): his nature, history and also few legends that have been always fascinating for those who wants to get to know this mysterious Mother Nature's treasure.Together with the search you can choose to combine fine white truffle-based tastings, lunches or dinner (together with other local products and wines) in typical farms or restaurants, which reflect the amazing Tuscan traditions and culture. During your lunch or dinner our Chefs will be more than happy to explain to you the dishes and disclose a few little secrets about how to use the white truffle to prepare tasteful dishes.

TRUFFLE HUNTING TOUR EXPERIENCE

WHO I AM

THE TRUFFLE HUNTER

A lifelong passion: love for nature and the charm of discovery.

Tartufo bianco di San Miniato Pisa Toscana Italia tartufo d'Alba

If you look for the translation of this word in the dictionary, you will find something like "truffle digger" or "truffle hunter"; but the word "tartufaio" is actually much more than this and his job is a complicated but fascinating one! First of all, as my grandfather Lino used to say, there are just a few “tartufai” in the world and to identify yourself as one of them you need years of experience, sacrifice (going to the forest in on a cold or rainy November day is not easily accomplished without motivation ...) and a true love towards nature and especially to that “four-legged” friend that is always with us during the search.

Borgo di San Miniato Pisa

In the book entitled "The History of the Biggest Truffle in the World", written by Father Luciano Marrucci (a local priest who had great knowledge of truffle hunters and their habits), there is a very significant part which describes the “tartufaio” job in a very special way:“that was the night in 1954 in which Arturo Gallerini (called Bego) found the the biggest “nugget” in history weighing 2.520 kg., and, talking to the local priest, asks: “what’s that, father? One has the right to go and take a truffle in somebody else’s plot?” and the priest answered: “Res abscondita primi invenientis”. This Latin maxim means: “a hidden thing belongs to the one who finds it first”. It’s the same principles by which someone can take a hidden treasure! Then he added something that, for its depth, made him shiver: “you see, Bego.. truffle is not something cultivated, it is not a land’s fruit. It’s a land’s birth”.”

This statement is very apt, because the job of “tartufaio” is similar to the one of the midwife: it requires delicacy and ability when you dig it out from the earth.

Basically, to really understand who is the Tartufaio, it is necessary to know one, go with him for a few hours in the forest, listen to his anecdotes, stories and legends. Only then will you see that you will feel again like a child listening to the fantastic adventures of super-heroes… but here there are no heroes (apart from the truffle dogs, obviously).

Massimo Cucchiara (aspiring Truffle Hunter)

We're waiting for you... "Truffle Hunting Tour"!