Tuber Magnatum: The Highly Coveted White Truffle of Italy

Truffles are one of the most sought-after ingredients in the culinary world. Known for its unique aroma and flavor, this rare edible mushroom and its variants have become increasingly popular over the years.

Tuber Magnatum on a board

One of the rarest truffle variants is the Tuber Magnatum Pico, also known as a type of white truffle found in southern Europe. These Italian white truffles are known for their internal white marbling, distinct aroma, and luxurious flavor.

In this article, we will go over what makes the Tuber Magnatum Pico unique, where to find fresh Italian white truffles, how to grow Tuber Magnatum Pico, how to cook and store white truffles, and more.

Tuber Magnatum Pico: The Rarest Truffle

The Tuber Magnatum Pico is a type of white truffle that can only be found during a two-month period in autumn. They are also known as white alba truffles or Italian white truffles.

These white truffles have a taste similar to the flavor of garlic. They also have an intense aroma. Their interior appearance is typically described as a pale cream color. They are best served fresh and are typically grated or sliced over food

Where And When Can I Find Tuber Magnatum Pico?

The Tuber Magnatum Pico is found in Piedmont, which is a northern region of Italy. The harvesting time of the Tuber Magnatum Pico is from early October to late December.

More white truffles can be found in other locations all across southern Europe, including Croatia, Slovenia, and France.

The specific locations where fresh white truffles can be found are a closely guarded secret by those who find and harvests them.

How Do You Grow Tuber Magnatum Pico?

The Tuber Magnatum Pico cannot be grown. Fresh white truffles Tuber Magnatum can only be found by experienced hunters and trained dogs who know how to spot white truffles in the wild.

How To Cook And Store Fresh White Truffles

Fresh white truffles Tuber Magnatum require very little cooking. Simply grating or slicing fresh white truffles over a dish is enough to bring out their flavor.

Since white truffles Tuber Magnatum is known to taste like garlic, it pairs well with all kinds of savory food, such as scrambled eggs. The heat of warm dishes is enough to release the flavor of these white truffles.

White truffles Tuber Magnatum have a short shelf life of about one week. One of the most popular storage methods is to wrap the white truffles Tuber Magnatum in a kitchen paper towel and store them in the fridge. It is important to regularly change out the paper towel so it properly absorbs moisture. You can also store truffles using a cotton cloth instead of a paper towel.

It is possible to lengthen the shelf life of white truffles Tuber Magnatum by freezing them. Storing white truffles in this manner will not only lengthen their shelf life but preserve the strength of their aroma. Each truffle must be washed and dried carefully, then placed in metal foil or a ziplock bag.

Fresh white truffles can also be stored in a sealed container with rice. The rice will help absorb moisture, similar to the paper towel or cotton cloth method. Additionally, the rice will gain an infused flavor from the fresh truffles.

Why Are Truffles So Valuable?

Fresh truffles are valuable due to how difficult they are to find. They grow underground and have to be found by a trained dog or pig. Hunters must be experienced and knowledgeable to locate them.

Additionally, they are only available during a small timeframe throughout the year. These factors combined with their unique taste make fresh truffles very valuable.

Why Are White Truffles More Expensive Than Black Truffles?

The white truffle is the most expensive due to the fact that they are typically only found during two months out of the entire year. Additionally, they cannot be farmed, unlike the black truffle.

Why Are Italian White Alba Truffles Expensive?

On top of the various factors that make the white truffle more expensive than the black truffle, the Italian White Alba truffle has become increasingly scarce over the years. The experience it takes to find them during their short harvest timeframe coupled with their scarcity means that it is priced higher than most truffles.

Andrea Arthur