Growing underground in the hills, forests, and vineyards of Tuscany can be found a coveted Italian treasure: truffles. These mushrooms are known for their rich, earthy aroma and decadent flavor and are a delicacy that has captivated food lovers for centuries.

If you’ve ever been thrilled to find a succulent chicken of the woods (which I love sliced and sauteed on high heat with butter and salt), you know the excitement of mushroom hunting. But truffles are several steps above any other kind of fungi. They’re hidden underground, waiting to be uncovered by Tuscan truffle foragers and their dogs. The art of truffle hunting is an age-old tradition in Tuscany, Italy, (and where you can join me on the Herbal Tuscany 2025 trip!!) where generations have passed down the knowledge of locating and harvesting these prized delicacies.

The Truffle Forests of Tuscany

Tuscan truffles grow in specific types of forests, where they flourish in harmony with certain trees and a delicate ecosystem. The region’s cool, temperate climate and limestone-rich soils create ideal conditions for truffles to thrive. The two most sought-after varieties are the white truffle (Tuber magnatum) and the black truffle (Tuber melanosporum), each with distinct flavors and ideal growing conditions.

White Truffles

Tuscany is among the few places where the prized white truffle grows, particularly in the San Miniato area. White truffles grow best in the roots of oak, hazelnut, and linden trees. They are only found in the cooler months, typically from October through December, when their unmistakable musky aroma permeates the forest soil.

Black Truffles

Black truffles, also known as tartufo nero, are abundant in the forests around Pienza and the Crete Senesi region. These truffles grow near oak and beech trees and are usually harvested in late winter through spring. Black truffles have a slightly milder, earthy flavor, making them perfect for many Tuscan dishes.

Other truffle varieties found in Tuscany include the summer truffle (Tuber aestivum), with a less intense flavor, and the autumn black truffle, which is slightly more affordable and versatile in cooking.

The Art of Truffle Hunting: Dogs, Pigs, and Tradition

Truffle hunting is a time-honored tradition in Tuscany, and local hunters, known as trifulai, are highly skilled in locating these elusive underground treats. This process, however, is not one that can be learned quickly. Experienced truffle hunters have often spent decades studying the landscape, understanding ideal conditions, and training animals for this delicate work.

While pigs were traditionally used in Italy for truffle hunting due to their natural ability to sniff out the scent, they have mostly been replaced by dogs. Pigs are known to be aggressive foragers, often inclined to eat the truffles themselves. Today, trained dogs are the most common truffle-hunting companions. They are trained from a young age to detect the unique scent of truffles, and they are intelligent and gentle enough to keep the disturbance of the ground to a minimum.

How to Enjoy Tuscan Truffles

Once harvested, truffles are delicacies that must be handled with care. They are extremely sensitive to temperature, light, and moisture, and should be consumed as fresh as possible. When we're in Italy on our Herbal Tuscany 2025 trip, we may have the opportunity to sample truffles in a variety of dishes. In Tuscany, truffles are celebrated in ways that range from elegant to ordinary:

1. Shave Truffles Over Pasta or Risotto - One of the most popular ways to enjoy fresh Tuscan truffles is to shave them over hot pasta or creamy risotto. Simple dishes like tagliolini al tartufo or risotto al tartufo are transformed into gourmet experiences with just a few thin slices of truffle. The heat from the dish releases the truffle’s rich, earthy scent.
2. Infuse Truffles in Oils and Butter – To capture the earthy flavor for the long-term, chefs and home cooks like to infuse the truffles in their regional olive oil and in creamy butter. Then these can then be drizzled over dishes like bruschetta, roasted meats, or even used in scrambled eggs.
3. Truffle Frittata - One of the most traditional ways to savor truffles in Tuscany is with eggs. Fresh truffles are shaved over scrambled eggs or used in frittatas, combining the delicate truffle flavor with the richness of the eggs. For a more decadent experience, some chefs place truffles in a container with fresh eggs for several days, allowing the eggs to absorb the truffle’s scent before cooking.
4. Bistecca alla Fiorentina - Black truffles are occasionally paired with Tuscany’s famous bistecca alla Fiorentina, a thick-cut steak grilled over a wood fire. A small amount of truffle oil or shavings adds to the bold flavors of the steak.

Herbal Tuscany 2025

As of late October 2024, our Herbal Tuscany 2025 trip has room for more participants and you are invited to join us. We will be a group of herbie-and-foodie loving travelers who are eager to explore all Tuscany has to offer, led and curated by our co-hosts Richard Liebmann, former executive director of United Plant Savers and me, herbalist and author Holly Bellebuono.

Our adventure will include hot springs, botanical gardens, ancient herb gardens, essential oil farms and production sites, palace gardens and grottoes, Etruscan tunnels and wine tastings, and much more as we explore Florence, Siena, Montepulciano, Assisi, and Chianti. Go here for more details and to register.