THE BLACK DIAMOND: the truffle
One of Umbria's most prized winter specialities is the elusive truffle. Hidden away in the truffle oak forests growing in the region, truffles can only be gathered with the aid of a specially trained pig or dog. Many fine food shops offer truffles for sale... at a price!
A gastronomical gem, truffles are sold in many Umbrian towns, although the most important truffle trading centre is Norcia, in the southest of the region. Here, during colorful transactions, they are sold for a small fortune.
Following is a list of the major truffle producing areas:
in the province of Perugia:
Norcia (the main producer of black truffles in Italy) and Scheggino; the
Alto Chiascio area that includes towns such as Costacciaro, Fossato di Vico, Gualdo Tadino, Gubbio, Scheggia and Pascelupo, Sigillo and Valfabbrica; the
Umbrian Upper Tiber area with towns such as Citerna, Citta’ di Castello, Lisciano Niccone, Monte Santa Maria Tiberina, Montone, Pietralunga, San Giustino and Umbertide; the
Monte Peglia and Selva di Meana area with towns such as Collazzone, Fratta Todina, Monte Castello di Vibio and Todi.
in the province of Terni:
the
Monte Peglia and Selva di Meana area with towns such as Allerona, Castel Giorgio, Castel Viscardo, Fabro, Ficulle, Montegabbione, Monteleone di Orvieto, Orvieto, Parrano and San Venanzo.
Where to Buy and Taste typical products