This Fall’s Truffle Fair

Right now the International Truffle Fair 2012 is taking place in Alba, a small yet world-famous Italian city. Forest smells are thick in the air, comfort and warmth everywhere making you feel like you are sitting by the fireplace at home. Here those who appreciate these gifts of nature gather for a few weeks.

Seminars and master classes are being held in which experts show how to pick truffles, how they should be preserved and what wine they go with.

This year’s fair bulletin carries the image of potato cream with Lapsang Souchong, quail egg and white truffle, prepared by Enrico Crippa, the chef of Alba’s Piazza Duomo (2 stars in Michelin’s restaurant guide).

The best white truffle from the Langhe Mountains was presented to actress Claudia Cardinale. She said she considers truffles to be delectable and incomparable, a taste defying description that only needs to be eaten to feel their magic.