But “Alba” truffles are the best, right? So why are white truffles often still called “Alba” truffles? So white truffles, which have been growing wild for millennia all across much of Italy and Eastern Europe, became widely known as “Alba” truffles. Vineyards, yes. Woodlands, not so much. Many are hunted in Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Albania, Greece, much of Central and Northern Italy, a small part of France and there have even now been reports of findings in Switzerland. Very hard to say, as so much of the aroma and flavour that one experiences is influenced by other external factors; but I would say the most incredible truffle I’ve ever held in my hands, smelt and truffle eaten came from either the Croatian peninsular of Istria or from the huge oak forests of Southern Hungary. Truffles don’t know where the borders are, and it’s impossible to say that the truffles from any one country are the best. It’s mathematically. Biologically impossible.

In the shadowy world of white truffles the true source is almost impossible to verify and there have been many documented and proven cases of fraud by well known Italian truffle companies. I’ve had some delicious truffles which were definitely hunted in Piedmonte as I saw them coming out of the ground, but I would say the best Italian white truffle I have ever experienced came from Emilia Romagna, in the hills around Modena. UrbanStems Everything’s coming up roses as we flatten the curve and defeat COVID-19, but you can send literal roses to Mom and she’ll be just as happy. You can send a gift of champagne and chocolates, complete with two flutes in its own ice bucket. It’s a fail-safe gift for those who need a little extra help drifting off to sleep. One of my favorite baskets might be a fun gift for a couple who has spent many years together and are perhaps into their golden years. As if though a wild truffle found one side of an imaginary line is ‘genuine’, but one found just the other side is somehow lesser or ‘fake’. But actually white truffles are found growing in a wide band from the south of central Italy right up to the centre of Eastern Europe.

My second problem with the strong promotion of “100% Italian” white truffles is the (incorrect) implication that Italian truffles are always better than those from other countries. This year, scarcity has pushed up prices and truffles that don’t sell locally are exported to wealthier Gulf countries. Over the years, many Italian truffle companies have pushed very hard to continue the myth that the best white truffles can only come from Alba, or at least from Italy. The scams have not been at all about passing an inferior product off as a better one. In other words, companies that play on this feeling of psychological ownership to spur sales should bear in mind that there’s a cost as well, particularly when a product or its low price is scarce, such as on Black Friday. Not fair if the price is exorbitant? Every autumn Alba hosts its world famous white truffle fair – which runs for six weeks. During this time many hunters across Italy and Eastern Europe struggle to have enough truffles to go around, as so many are being bought to be sold on at the fair in Alba.

The vast majority of truffles found by hunters in Eastern Europe have, for many decades, been taken across the border into Italy before being sold on as “Italian” truffles. An incredible truffle can be found growing right next to an indifferent one. Of course, there always have been white truffles found in the wider region of Piedmont, including a very small amount that are hunted quite close to Alba. Italy and France, are considerably more subtle and precious than their “white” counterparts, which spring-up all across Italy and France and even have been known to appear in Croatia. The dish is made high quality Chipperbec potatoes, which are triple cooked in posh pure goose fat from France. White truffles are the strongest in flavour and aroma, but the high prices they command are not down to taste alone. However, the White Alba Truffle can also be minced and added in a sauce or broken down further and emulsified into an oil.

If you want to find more info on Ross Truffles stop by the web-page.