White truffles festival in Italy Sep 15, 2009

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From the 3rd to the 8th of October a white truffles festival will be held in Alba, Italy. The festival is sometimes also called the "white diamonds" festival, by the name the local people gave to the delicious mushrooms. The Italian name for white truffles is Tartufo bianco, and the Latin name is Tuber magnatum. White truffles are valued nearly as high as precious gems. Truffles have been a delicacy since the times of the Roman Empire. An underground mushroom, it grows of the roots of trees. Italian white truffles sell for 10 times the price of the French black truffles. The price ranges from several hundred to several thousand Euros for a kilogram of mushrooms, and after being delivered to restaurants around the world the price soars even higher. So, if you happen to be in a truffles growing neighborhood during the gathering season, buy a few and bring them home.

Every mushroom should be wrapped into parchment, and then placed into dried rice to keep the humidity. The mushrooms should be stored in the vegetable bin of your refrigerator or a similar cool place, such as a cellar. If you wish to store truffles safely you should not clean the soil off, because the soil prevents microorganism contamination as well as preserves the taste. In order to store truffles for a long period of time specialists usually make pasta out of it, which is then used in different meals.

The season of white truffles starts in fall – that is when people go out hunting for them in the local forests of Alba. For the yearly truffle festival in Alba dedicated to the wonderful mushrooms people prepare with extra care: they organize multiple tastings and master classes where explanations are given as to how mushrooms should be picked and prepared. A truffles auction is also organized during the festival, where everyone can become the owner of Italy's favorite mushroom by paying a fair price. You can also try your luck by searching for truffles yourself, perhaps only with the assistance of a professional hunter you will have a chance to succeed. Theatrical shows and costume plays are featured on the streets of Alba during the festival.

You may read more about the festival here.