Truffles

Although there are many different types of truffles, we only grow the French Perigord Truffle (Tuber Melanosporum) also known as Black Diamonds, and now also the valuable Italian Alba Truffle  (Tuber Magnatum Pico) that are treasured and highly sought after by chefs.

The truffle grows on the roots of trees in a symbiotic relationship, we grow Holm Oaks (quercus ilex), Common Oaks (quercus robur) and Hazels (corylus avellena) that have been inoculated with the spores of the Perigord Truffle. With the Alba Truffle growing on Hornbeam (carpinus betulus) and Downy Oak (quercus pubescens).

Harvesting of truffles is done from September to January for the Alba Truffle, and November to March for the Perigord Truffle, with the help of specially trained dogs. This was originally done with pigs, but they have a habit of eating the truffle!