Truffles
Gourmets agree on only one thing: truffles are the pinnacle of gastronomy. This strange and mysterious mushroom is hidden in the earth. It does not have an above-ground stem and people can find truffles only with the help of specially trained dogs.
Istria, the heart-shaped peninsula, has two types of soil: red soil in the coastal area and gray, clayish soil in the interiors. Truffles thrive in gray soil, in a damp Motovun Forest in the valley of the Mirna River. The area of truffles extends north to Lanišće, southwest along the Raša River and south towards the town of Pazin.
The Istrian white truffle, which is said to be the finest in the world, matures in autumn. It is best to taste it fresh in a pleasant environment of typical local pubs or renowned restaurants. In the vicinity, on the slopes of the Mirna Valley, a subspecies of white truffle grows – the black truffle, which can be consumed in winter and in summer.
