White Truffles in Australia

White Truffles or Alba Truffles (Tuber magnatum) come from the Langhe area of the Piedmont region in northern Italy and, most famously, from the city of Alba. White Truffles are also found in Croatia, on the Istria peninsula in the Motovun forest alongside Mirna river.

White Truffles Size and Colours

Growing symbiotically with oak, hazel, poplar and beech and fruiting in autumn, White Truffles can reach 12cm in diameter and up to 500g. The flesh is pale cream or brown with white marbling. Like the French black truffles, Italian White Truffles are held in high esteem. The market for White Truffles in Alba is busiest in the months of October and November.

Click here to read frequently asked questions about White Truffles.

Finding White Truffles in Western Australia

The Tuber magnatum White Truffles sell between $3200 and $6500 per kilogram. They produce a scent that mimics a male pig sex hormone, and for this reason, female pigs have been used historically in Europe to help find them.

However, more recently, dogs have become preferred for hunting White Truffles since they can be trained to just find the truffles whereas sows eat the truffles when they find them. The Tuber magnatum pico White Truffles are mostly found in northern and central Italy, while the Tuber borchi, or Whitish truffle, is found in Tuscany, Romagna and the Marche. Neither of these is as aromatic as those from Piedmont.

» Click here to contact T.A.S.T.E about White Truffles in Australia, including Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.