Source: Dnevnik.hr
To prevent “imported” truffles from being sold under its name, Istria has embarked on protecting the white truffle. The protected geographical indication of the Istrian white truffle, if they succeed, will be its personal identity card. Dario Muzica, President of the Istrian Truffle Hunters Association, explained how they intend to achieve this.
“This means we will describe what the truffle must be like—its flavor, specific characteristics, aroma, taste, appearance—and that nothing below this quality may be sold as Istrian white truffle,” he says.
Which today, they say, is not always the case. White truffles from other countries are labeled as ours and sold as such.
Istrian white truffles are exceptionally high quality, sought after, and command a high price. A kilogram of first-class truffles from a truffle hunter today sells for around €2,000. By the time it reaches the table, the price increases further. Therefore, they say, it is no surprise that all sorts of things are sold under its name.
A protected designation has a strictly defined procedure, and it means something in Europe and worldwide. The path to it will be neither easy nor quick. Ezio Pinzan, Head of the Agricultural Department of Istria County, says it takes two to three years to obtain the national designation, and once obtained, the application is submitted to the European Commission.
“We have a two-year deadline to obtain this designation at the EU level,” he notes.
Watch the report on Dnevnik.hr
