The city of San Miniato in Tuscany along with Alba in Piedmont is considered the Italian capital of the prized White Truffle. “The White Truffle that is harvested in the San Miniato area,” explains Simone Calugi of Selektia Tartufi, “is the prized one, the king of truffles, the Tuber Magnatum Pico.
The San Miniato White Truffle production and harvesting area includes the San Miniato hills; an area of more than 30 municipalities between the provinces of Pisa and Florence. This is our area, the area of Selektia Tartufi and our truffle colleagues and friends. In fact, here there is a very strong tradition of truffle harvesting, which has an unmistakable scent and taste that I would describe as intoxicating.
In the San Miniato area of Tuscany, local truffle families keep alive a tradition made up of secrets and experience accumulated over generations.”
The San Miniato White Truffle production and harvesting area includes the municipalities of Barberino Val d’Elsa, Bientina, Calcinaia, Capannoli, Casciana Terme, Castelfiorentino, Castelfranco di Sotto, Cerreto Guidi, Certaldo, Chianni, Crespina, Empoli, Fucecchio, Gambassi, Lajatico, Lari, Lorenzana, Montaione, Montecatini Val di Cecina, Montespertoli, Montelupo Fiorentino, Montopoli in Val D’Arno, Palaia, Peccioli, Ponsacco, Pontedera, San Miniato, Santa Croce Sull’Arno, Santa Maria a Monte, Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, Terricciola, Vinci and Volterra.
In addition to a truffle of extraordinary quality, the San Miniato hills also offer a considerable amount of truffles-in fact, almost half of Tuscany’s production comes from the San Miniato area.
The harvesting period begins in September and ends in January, but the best months for harvesting the White Truffle are between October and November, when the truffle reaches full maturity and expresses its best organoleptic qualities.
National White Truffle Market Exhibition in San Miniato
To learn about and appreciate San Miniato’s Truffle tradition, the National White Truffle Market Exhibition, which takes place in this beautiful medieval village nestled in the rolling hills of Tuscany, is not to be missed. The Mostra Mercato del Tartufo Bianco delle Colline Sanminiatesi (San Miniato Hills White Truffle Market Exhibition) is the longest running and is held the last three weekends of November. To appreciate the white truffle of San Miniato directly in your home Simone Calugi of Selektia Tartufi is at your disposal to offer you fresh truffle according to the season or frozen, preserved or dried truffle to never run out and make any big occasion really special.
