In the online edition of Glas Istre dated October 22, 2023, Mr. Ivan Vukadinović, Vice President of the Istrian Truffle Hunters’ Association, highlighted the importance of protecting the Istrian White Truffle designation.
The process is lengthy, Vukadinović stated, adding that the protection of the geographical indication is also significant for promoting the Istrian white truffle, which would thereby gain additional visibility.
“For the Istrian County, it would also be important to have another designation, following Istrian prosciutto and other products, that would promote the region and enrich its tourist offering. For us truffle hunters, it would certainly mean better habitat protection and a stronger market position,” Vukadinović emphasized.
Glas Istre, online edition of 2023-10-22
The Head of the Administrative Department for Agriculture, Forestry, Hunting, Fisheries, and Water Management of the Istrian County, Dr. Ezio Pinzan, states that this will undoubtedly be a lengthy process.
“There are not many examples of a mushroom being protected at the European Union level, but we will embark on this. It is important to protect the Istrian white truffle because, as a brand, it further encourages the consumption of other indigenous local products. Thus, in gastronomy, alongside the Istrian white truffle, our wine, Malvazija and Teran, extra virgin olive oil are consumed; there is Istrian prosciutto as an appetizer, Istrian sheep cheese, meat of the Istrian cattle Boškarin, and in dessert, Istrian honey, and all these products are protected. The motivation for visiting Istria is the sun and sea; the second motivation is eno-gastronomy. In the off-season, the primary motivation is eno-gastronomy, and the leader of eno-gastronomy and arrivals in Istria is the Istrian white truffle,” Pinzan emphasized.
Glas Istre, online edition of 2023-10-22
You can read the complete article on the Glas Istre website at this link or download it in PDF format.
