Autumn is harvest season which means that there are lots of delicious foods around. A particular harvest which is common across Italy is that of truffles. San Miniato in Tuscany, in fact, is one of the most productive truffle-rich areas of Europe and the white truffle that grows in the San Miniato hills is the most valuable variety. The truffle has greatly impacted local cuisine and is so important to local identity that the town hosts an annual market, the San Miniato National White Truffle Market, which is internationally celebrated and recognised. If you're serious about your food, and your truffles in particular, this is the only place to be this season. Just find luxury villa in San Miniato and head down to the market to let your palate rejoice!
San Miniato is known for its rich and diverse cuisine. It is famous for its sweet dessert wine, Vin Santo and flavourful and abundant artichokes. The food culture of the town has also undergone a revival in the past few decades.
The treatment and preparation of pork and blood products has been given new life in the Longobard and mediaeval centre of San Miniato, as has the art of baking and Mediterranean treatment of flour which has led to a delicious baking culture in the area. Local convents and refectories continue to farm outstanding crops and produce recipes as they have done for a millennium.
The treatment and preparation of pork and blood products has been given new life in the Longobard and mediaeval centre of San Miniato, as has the art of baking and Mediterranean treatment of flour which has led to a delicious baking culture in the area. Local convents and refectories continue to farm outstanding crops and produce recipes as they have done for a millennium.
Truffles, however, remain the highlight of food culture in San Miniato. The white truffle from the San Miniato hills, a truffle-producing area that extends inland to the countryside of Pisa, is known as Tuber magnatum pico. It is located a few centimetres deep and can only be found in a limited number of areas.
The San Miniato National White Truffle Market is held in the town every year during the last three weeks of November and hosts many gastronomic and cultural events. You can, of course, buy fresh truffles in various locations throughout the town but you can also find stalls and markets selling a large variety of different Tuscan products.
The first Festival of the White Truffle of San Miniato was held on the 26th of October 1969 in Piazza del Duomo and, after a two year gap, has been held every year since then. Over the years the festival has grown tremendously and has become today an internationally recognized exhibition. Prizes are given out each year to the biggest truffle and to the oldest truffle hunter and the whole festival is a fun and joyous celebration of local culture and food.
So, start planning your next year's holiday and head over to San Miniato in November to get a taste of Tuscany, her traditions and one of her proudest foods.
The San Miniato National White Truffle Market is held in the town every year during the last three weeks of November and hosts many gastronomic and cultural events. You can, of course, buy fresh truffles in various locations throughout the town but you can also find stalls and markets selling a large variety of different Tuscan products.
The first Festival of the White Truffle of San Miniato was held on the 26th of October 1969 in Piazza del Duomo and, after a two year gap, has been held every year since then. Over the years the festival has grown tremendously and has become today an internationally recognized exhibition. Prizes are given out each year to the biggest truffle and to the oldest truffle hunter and the whole festival is a fun and joyous celebration of local culture and food.
So, start planning your next year's holiday and head over to San Miniato in November to get a taste of Tuscany, her traditions and one of her proudest foods.
Photo credits
picture 2: Vayssie Robert / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Marco Plassio / CC BY-SA 3.0
picture 2: Vayssie Robert / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Marco Plassio / CC BY-SA 3.0
