San Miniato is a charming center between Pisa and Florence, not far from Lucca. It has medieval origins and a matchless beauty.
As well as being a renowned tourist destination, San Miniato is the city of Truffle, a precious food loved by gourmets from all the world. It's a peculiar kind of mushroom that grows underground near the roots of trees such as oaks, tilias and poplars.
Finding them is not easy at all: “truffle seekers” have gained a long-standing experience in this field, they are able to individuate the exact spot where truffles are thanks to their dogs' sniff and to dig them up with their hands.
Due to the difficulty of its hunting, transport and conservation, this product is sold at exorbitant prices and it is rarely whole. A small quantity is sufficient to flavour delicious dishes and its amazing taste was already celebrated by Greeks and Romans, who defined it as “the food of gods”.
Right in the woods covering the hills near San Miniato, some professional truffle seekers found the world's biggest truffle in 1954! Today, some of these experts are even available to share their knowledge with tourists in occasion of some sensational "Truffle Hunting Experiences”, which are hunting and tasting activities taking place in English or Italian.
Visit the website www.truffleintuscany.it and choose among the numerous initiatives such as the “Luxury Truffle Experience”, the “Truffle & Winery Experience” or the “Truffle Cooking Classes”, which will teach you to highlight the product in your dishes. It's a unique and unmissable opportunity!
San Miniato White Truffle is not just a typical product, but it belongs to the regional cultural heritage being a real local tradition. Every November, an important celebration has taken place since 47 years: the “Mostra Mercato del Tartufo Bianco di San Miniato”, is an international "sagra" composed by more than 120 stands set up by restaurants and local producers, offering specialities like oil, cheese, wine and, obviously, the fantastic truffles. This year, the festival will take place on November 11-12, 18-19 and 25-26, so book one of our last-minute properties to visit this center and participate! We suggest our Il Fienile di Giovanna or Villa Lorenza.
Truffle is also the protagonist of another important event called “La Notte Nera” (The Black Night), which enhances the Black Truffle found in summer and which recreates a strange, obscure and magic atmosphere in the whole city.
