Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
In 1999, local entrepreneur Giancarlo Zigante discovered a nearly three-pound
this giant truffle legitimized Istria on the world truffle scene. Today, Istria is giving
France's Provence and Italy's Piedmont a run for their money in truffle production.
Most of Istria's truffles are concentrated in the Motovun Forest, the damp, oak-tree-
filled terrain surrounding Motovun, Livade, and Buzet.
A truffle is a tuber that grows entirely underground, usually at a depth of eight
inches, near the roots of oak trees. Since no part of the plant grows aboveground,
they're particularly difficult to find...and, therefore, valuable. Traditionally, Istrian
truffle-gatherers use specially trained dogs to find truffles. This is most productive at
night, when the darkness forces the dog to rely more on its sense of smell rather than
sight.
There are two general types of truffles: white (more valuable and with a deeper
and more pungent flavor—
Tuber magnatum,
known as the “Queen of the Truffles”)
and black. Each type of truffle has a “season”—a specific time of year when its scent
