Archive for 'Products & Specialities'

Autumn brings with it the harvest season and lots of delicious seasonal foods. As the winter approaches, however, Italy and Tuscany celebrate one last tasty harvest for the year, or, rather, one last forage: for precious truffles.

Truffles can actually be found in Italy throughout much of the year with dark winter truffles available from January to March, tan truffles (or bianchetto truffles) being foraged from March to April, and common black summer truffles can be unearthed from June to November. However, the most sought-out and highly-prized of all truffles are the tartufo bianco, or white truffles, which can be found from September through to November. As a result of this being the time in which the most beloved truffles are to be found, October and November are also when many events surrounding the finding, eating, and celebrating of truffles take place.

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Truffles; you've probably heard of them before, right? But what are they, why are they such a big deal in Tuscany, how can you get your hands on them, and how can you best enjoy them?

What are they?

Truffles are described as “the fruiting body of a subterranean Ascomycete fungus, predominantly one of the many species of the genus Tuber.” Essentially, they are a type of mushroom that are found in France, the United Kingdom, the United States, Spain, Sweden, New Zealand, Australia, Chile and South Africa. However, the most famous truffles in the world tend to be those from Italy and the area around San Miniato, in Tuscany, in particular.

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If you love sweets, Tuscany is a great holiday destination and a day trip to Prato, in particular, is an excellent idea. The city has birthed several iconic desserts and pastries but one of the most visually appealing has to be Pesche di Prato, a brioche bun that mimics the appearance of a peach. The bun is halved, cored, filled with vanilla custard, placed back together and dipped into an Italian liqueur called Alchermes, coated with sugar and topped with a mint leaf to complete the look. Just find a vacation rental in Florence, spend a day in Prato and discover it for yourself!

Pesche di Prato are said to have been first made at the end of March in 1861 when there was a massive dinner party in the Piazza del Duomo in Prato to celebrate the reunification of Italy and a very special dessert was needed. They were such an immediate success that local confectioners in Prato began making and stocking them and, while they are traditionally made for special occasions, Easter and Christmas, you will be able to find them in local bakeries all throughout the year today.

Amedei is a luxury brand of chocolate that many have never heard of and, less still, are aware hails from Tuscany. Yet, it is a delicious chocolate brand and a part of the varied culinary landscape that has made the region so very famous among foodies the world over. It is pricy and fine and requires an attentive palate but has been labelled the best chocolate in the world and constantly wins prizes.

If you are serious about your food, discerning about your chocolate and have found a luxury villa in Pisa, be sure to plan to take a day trip and drive out to the factory, which is located close to La Rotta in Pontedera, a half hour from the city.

If you are a fan of small towns off the beaten tourist track, hidden gems and endless surprises, Tuscany is the perfect town for you. It is full of charming, little-known towns that are authentic, peaceful and exceptionally pretty. Just find a villa rental in Tuscany and begin discovering its endless charms for yourself!

One of these lovely little towns is Pontremoli, one of the main villages of Lunigiana, located at the bottom of Tosco Emiliano Apennines. In the lush and wild part of northern Tuscany, it is far from queues, tacky souvenirs and the regular itineraries. Boasting a stunning natural setting, pretty town, rich history and culinary tradition, and a slow pace of life, it is an excellent place to spend a day soaking up the atmosphere of daily life in a real Tuscan town.