A sharing by Ling Sing Lin
Being a truffle lover, one important mission in my planned trip to the Dolomites, Slovenia and Croatia, was to join truffle hunting, and to go to a truffles fair.
Truffles are found in Istria, a county in Croatia. They are also found in several temperate forests in Italy, Perth and France.
About the Truffle
The truffle is a fungus, but unlike other fungi, it grows underground, at depths from a centimeter to a meter. It is distinguished by a distinctive, intense, full scent, reminiscent of earth or old cheese, which you either like or don’t. It grows in symbiosis with the root of woody plants.
Stinky Potatoes
In the past, truffles were found almost by accident. When local people cultivated Istrian fields, ploughing them with the help of oxen, they often found large “potatoes” in the soil, characterized by an intense smell and a slightly strange taste. Not being aware of what they were, they called them “stinky potatoes” and threw them away.
Truffle Hunts
Since they grow underground, truffles are not harvested but are hunted with the help of pigs or specially trained dogs
Truffle Hunting Pigs
A truffle hog is any domestic pig used for locating and extracting the fungus. Pigs have an exceptional sense of smell, but they can cause a lot of damage to the truffles. Their human owners have also lost fingers from trying to extract the truffle from the pig’s mouth.
Truffle Hunting Dogs
These are usually not purebred dogs but mixed breeds, and preferably females as they are more obedient. Dogs are trained by feeding them small pieces of truffle, and after 2-3 months, they should be able to find truffles on their own. In order for a dog to find it, the truffle needs to release its distinctive scent. It is the moment of greatest excitement for both dog and its owner when the dog picks up the scent. The dog starts digging, and the hunter is crouched alongside, digging up the truffle with a shovel so that the dog does no damage to the precious fungus. The dog is rewarded with a treat for its find. Hence, dogs are more popular than pigs as truffle hunters.
White Truffles and Black Truffles
White truffles are more fragrant and flavorful, and found only for a few months a year. They are therefore sold at twice the price of black truffles. They are shaved raw on top of dishes in high end restaurants.
My Truffle Experience
The truffle hunt was one of the highlights of the tour. Besides following and observing the hunt, we enjoyed a wonderful 4-course truffle lunch, shopped for truffle products in a shop on the premises, and were conducted around the family-owned museum, where I picked up the interesting nuggets about truffles. We were also informed that the truffle village is inhabited by 44 humans and 110 dogs. These are working dogs, not pets. They don’t live in the family home, but in cages in the grounds. Nevertheless, they are much loved.
Care to go truffle hunting someday?
lingsinglin
Dr Ling Sing Lin is a medical doctor by training. She worked in MOH HQ for many years, in policy making and administrative positions, until her retirement.
