ISTRIAN WHITE TRUFFLE
Hidden treasure of Europe
The Istrian white truffle is one of the most prized truffles in the world. Its rich flavor and aroma make it the crown jewel of Mediterranean cuisine, but it is much more than just a delicacy. It is part of the heritage and identity of Istria, a region that prides itself on its rich cultural heritage and beautiful nature. Protecting the designation of origin of the Istrian white truffle is not only a matter of economy, but also a matter of preserving identity, tradition and natural balance.
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Are you a commercial truffle hunter with all the necessary permits?
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Submit a request to use the protected designation of origin.
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Increase the value of your products and guarantee your customers authenticity, quality and traceability!
What is the Istrian White Truffle?
“Istrian White Truffle / Tartufo bianco d’Istria” is a fresh large white truffle (Tuber magnatum Picco) weighing at least 7 grams and collected in the area of Istria County.
What are the prerequisites for obtaining the right to use the protected designation of origin?
In addition to the permit from the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition and the permission of the forest owner (Croatian Forests Ltd. and/or forest owner) to collect underground fungi for the purpose of trade and other commerce, it is only necessary to prove that the truffle dogs are in your ownership (or in the ownership of a member of your immediate family) and that they are chipped and regularly vaccinated.
How to obtain the right to use the protected designation of origin?
The first step is to submit a Request for product certification to the delegated body. You can download the Request here.
What does control over the use of the protected designation of origin look like?
After submitting the Request for certification, employees of Biotechnicon poduzetnički centar d.o.o. (delegated body) will verify that you are collecting truffles in accordance with the prescribed rules (which do not differ from the already known traditional rules), such as:
- possession of all (already known) collection permits,
- collection is carried out using a maximum of two dogs,
- collection is carried out only in the prescribed area (Istria County),
- you do not collect rotten, wormy and immature fruiting bodies, and collected truffles are not lighter than 7 g,
- you do not collect more than 0.5 kg of Istrian White Truffle daily and you keep a collection diary.
These are just some of the collection rules, and you can download a detailed list here.
What are the annual costs of using the protected designation of origin?
In preparation…
Who should I contact in case of a detected violation of the rules for using the protected designation of origin?
If you have any suspicion of violation and/or abuse of the use of the Protected Designation of Origin, contact the Truffle Hunters Association “Istra” or the delegated body.
Where to buy and where to enjoy the Istrian White Truffle / Tartufo bianco d'Istria?
As soon as the Istrian White Truffle collection season begins, we will compile a list of users of the protected designation of origin from whom you can buy/enjoy/taste the Istrian White Truffle.
How can I verify that I am buying or enjoying the Istrian White Truffle / Tartufo bianco d'Istria?
The first thing you need to find out is who collected your Istrian White Truffle. Request this information from your supplier / caterer or check the label / sticker marking the Istrian White Truffle. The name of the user of the protected designation must also be found on the pages of the Ministry of Agriculture (the list is updated quarterly), and additional verification can be obtained from the delegated body or the truffle hunters association “Istra”.
The New York Times, 2016.
TasteAtlas, 2023.
Time Out Magazine, 2022.
BBC, 2018.
Great British Chefs, 2018.
The Michelin Guide, 2019.
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