Italy’s most famous truffle might be the white truffle of Alba, in Piedmont, but it’s certainly not the only precious underground dweller the country has to offer. Undervalued both nationally in Italy, and on the international scale, is the black truffle of Salento, in the Lecce province, Puglia. And now, thanks to a BBC documentary, the humble Salento truffle might get the attention it deserves.

If you’re a truffle purist, you might think that it’s the white Alba truffle or nothing, but the black truffles of Salento are more economical and have their own special taste. With their own straightforward character (”sexy” according to the video!), they make the perfect marriage to some of the region’s local dishes. In particular, the BBC found itself in the area around the main town, where the country goes down to the San Cataldo sea.

If you’re interested in more on Salento truffles, check out the dedicated Salento Tartufi YouTube channel, especially for some breathtaking views of the wild country in this part of Puglia. It’s not pristine like Tuscany, but it certainly has its own untamed appeal. After the jump, see the BBC documentary.

Continue reading: Traditional Italian products: the black truffle of Salento famous on BBC

The white truffle auction held in Langa, Piedmont on the weeked, saw a 750 gram white truffle sell for a record of 100,000 euros. It was the last of 11 truffle lots on auction, with the event seeing more than 250,000 euros of truffles sold.

The market price for truffles is equally high at the moment, with 100 grams costing 250 euros, meaning a simple grating of truffle at the restaurant could cost you 20 euros, excluding the rest of the dish. Prices are still down on previous weeks, at 350 euros, and last year’s average of 500 euros.

It’s early truffle season yet, with October truffles of a lower quality and shorter preservation time than their November and December truffle counterparts. Most of Italy’s food festivals with the truffle as focus occur in early November, and Alba’s famous white truffle festival concluded yesterday with this auction. The truffle was purchased by a Hong Kong restaurant owner.

Source | Il Sole 24 Ore

Continue reading: Italy's white truffle record auction: Alba truffle sold for 100,000 euros

Italy’s white truffles are not only a precious gastronomic delicacy here, but have also been used as the protagonists in charity events, this time with a 1.1kg truffle going to auction in the luxury seven-star hotel “Gran Lisboa” in Macau.

The base price has been fixed at 50,000 euros with proceeds going to Telethon. The truffle was donated by the “Funghi e Tartufi” company from Frosolone. The truffle comes from Molise, which has been a rich provider of record truffles.

Continue reading: World record white truffle on auction

If you wondered what to do for Thanksgiving in Italy, this is a perfect time to enjoy Italy’s local produce and autumn fare. Harvest in Italy brings to market some wonderful products, an example of which is the Truffle festival in the mounatains of Bologna. In November the Tartufesta is celebrated, in honour of Italy’s white truffle.

While the white truffle is an important and prestigious Italian product, other products on offer at the festival include mushrooms, chestnuts, forest fruits, honey, cheese and sweets. To whet your appetite for fall festivals in Italy, we give you the promotion video above.

Continue reading: November festivals in Italy: how to celebrate Thanksgiving with fall harvest