Truffle Hunting in Chianti with Dinner
Tuscany is one of the most important regions for the production of truffles . The collection mainly concerns the white truffle (Tuber magnatum Pico), the most valuable, and to a secondary extent other species variously widespread in the area, such as the marzuolo truffle (Tuber borchii Vitt.), The scorzone truffle (Tuber aestivum Vitt.), The hooked truffle (Tuber uncinatum Chatin), the precious black truffle (Tuber melanosporum Vitt.) and the black winter truffle (Tuber brumale Vitt.).
But what are truffles?
Truffles are mushrooms that grow underground, near trees or shrubs with which they live in symbiosis, reciprocally exchanging some essential nutrients for their lives. In Italy there are over twenty-five species of truffles, but only a few are edible and have a commercial importance. The presence of truffles is linked to that of tree and shrub species very common in Tuscany, such as oaks, poplars, willows, lime trees, pines, hazelnuts, cysts, both inside woods, as well as isolated plants or in rows. However, each truffle has a specific growth environment and, generally, the most valuable truffles are also the rarest. In Tuscany, for the variety of environments, you can find all the species of edible truffles, from the precious ones to the so-called “minor”. Truffles are collected with the help of the specially trained dog.
Do you want to live a special and unique experience?
Join our truffle hunting with Irene and her dog, Tep, and savor the real and unique emotion of finding, smelling, and touching one of the most precious and sought fruits of the earth. Our authorized guide will guide you through the paths of the woods of Tuscany, telling you stories and legends related to the territory and the practice of truffle hunting. She will teach you to recognize the trees under which they grow, the ideal habitat for the growth of truffles, and how to cook and store them.
The search will take time and patience, but when you will see Tep start wagging his tail and sniffing insistently near a bush or the root of a tree, sticking his nose in the ground deeper and deeper and digging, it will only mean one thing: the treasure has been discovered! And Tep will finally receive a greedy reward for the excellent work done. We can not know how many truffles Tep will be able to find, but one thing is sure: after fun and tiring walk you will return to the starting point, at our Villa, where you can also receive your well- deserved reward! It will be time to taste delicious recipes based on precious truffles, combined with excellent local wines.
We will select for you a typical menu of the Tuscan culinary tradition, able to enhance the sophisticated scent with simple courses.
Program
Duration: 3 hours
- Meeting with Irene and Tep at our Villa in Spoiano.
- Walk in the woods hunting for truffles (1 hour and 30 min. Approx.).
- Dinnerflavored with truffles and other local products combined with a wonderful view of Barberino Val D’Elsa and the towers of San Giminiano.
Our villa is accessible by car and has a private parking area. If you are traveling by public transportation, it is possible to get to Barberino Tavarnelle by buses from the center of Florence.
