B&B Julia

Truffle season: Piedmont's white gold

From October to December, Piedmont is the world's capital of the white truffle. An aromatic treasure that fetches thousands of euros per kilo — and that here ends up shaved over your pasta for a fraction of that price.

The white truffle (tartufo bianco d'Alba) is Piedmont's most celebrated product. It only grows wild, in symbiosis with oak, poplar and hazel trees on our hills and valleys. Cannot be farmed, cannot be copied — which is exactly what makes it so special.

The international truffle market of Alba

Every weekend from October to late November, the small town of Alba hosts the Fiera Internazionale del Tartufo Bianco. A market that has run for over 90 years and draws thousands of visitors. Under a white tent across from the castle, the trifulau (truffle hunters) display their knobs on satin cushions — smelling is encouraged, buying takes a little more time.

Join a truffle hunt

Several places nearby let you head into the woods with a trifulau and his dog. A few hours, early in the morning, in misty forests — often with a tasting at the end. An unforgettable experience, also for kids.

How do you eat white truffle?

Never cook it — only shave it raw, just before serving. The classics: tagliolini al burro, fried eggs, fontina fonduta, or carne cruda. To try it, find a restaurant that serves local truffle (always ask if it's tartufo bianco d'Alba) and expect €5–8 per gram.

Other truffles year-round

The white one is the most famous, but Piedmont also offers a wonderful black summer truffle (May to August) and the black winter truffle (November to March). A nice excuse to come back any time of year.