About Truffle Hunting
Most animals love truffles and the majority of truffles are eaten by wild animals like deer, foxes, mice or bears… Truffle hunting is traditionally done by well-trained pigs or dogs, in recent years the majority of professional truffle hunting is however done by trained dogs. Though one can actually train most dogs to look for truffles, some breeds are better suited for the job.
The most famous breed are Italian Lagotto Romagnolo, but also pointers, Labradors or vislar are highly appreciated. The training of a truffle dog is best started at a very early age and some of the well-trained dogs even bring their precious finds to their owners. At the Valea Verde we work with several truffle hunters and use well trained and cared for dogs.
Summer Truffle – Tuber Aestivum
The first truffles of the season appear in the beginning of summer and are amply called summer truffles, The summer truffle has a very subtle smell and taste and is found nearly on the surface of the forest. It´s interior is nearly white with faint marbling and gastronomic value is due to its subtle aroma not too high, though a nice pasta with summer truffles can be a wonderful treat on a hot summer day….!
Burgundy Truffle – Tuber Uncinatum
Towards autumn you can find the Burgundy truffle with its rich and pungent smell and aroma. Depending on the weather, this truffle retracts further into the ground the colder it gets and is at its peak from mid-October to mid-November. Its interior has a finely marbled black interior, but the skin has a similar coarse feel to it as the summer truffle!
Périgord Truffle – Tuber Melanosporum
The champion of black truffles can be found in our region from late autumn to January and has a brownish, sometimes even red-ish exterior. The taste is also pungent, but more refined than then Burgundy truffle and the smell can be compared to the very distinct smell of the kind of all truffles, the white truffle.
Winter Truffle – Tuber Brumale
In the winter months we are finding huge amounts of this wonderfully aromatic truffle, which sadly rarely grows any larger than 1com in diameter. This small size is due to the specific climatic conditions of Transylvania, where the winters tend to be quite severe with temperatures of up to minus 25 degrees Celsius… However, you can hardly find a better truffle for truffle butter or flavoring salt!!
Alba Truffle – Tuber Magnatum
Sadly, this truffle cannot be found in Transylvania, but on the southern side of the Romanian Carpathians one can find this elusive, but utterly delicious and valuable species. Even though it’s not found locally, we sometimes use it on special occasions for an outrageously delicious truffle pasta!!
Our Truffle Hunting Experiences
We carefully curated different truffle hunting experiences for you, some of them including meals as well as activities. Enjoy a truly special time under the canopy of trees and connect with nature….
A Guided Truffle Hunt
For groups of one to fourteen guests we offer specially guided hunts in the forest between Cund and Dumbraveni. The hunter will meet you at the Valea Verde and by your means of transport you will travel to the forest. After a brief introduction talk (in Romanian or French, English or German on request), you will follow the dogs and get to find some of the black gold of Transylvanian Wilderness!
Capacity: 1 – 14 persons (more on request)
Duration: 2h
Services: welcome at Valea Verde, guided Truffle Hunt
Package price for 1 -14 Persons: Euro 350, –
A Culinary Truffle Hunt
For groups of one to fourteen guests we offer specially guided hunts in the forest between Cund and Dumbraveni. The hunter will meet you at the Valea Verde and by your means of transport you will travel to the forest. After a brief introduction talk (in Romanian or French, English or German on request), you will follow the dogs and get to find some of the black gold of Transylvanian Wilderness! In a beautiful spot in the forest we will then serve you delicious risotto cooked over an open fire accompanied with a small side salad and a glass of delicious Romanian wine. Please note, that this lunch is weather dependent, in case of rain or snow we will lunch at the Valea Verde.
Capacity: 1 – 14 persons (more on request)
Duration: 2h
Services: welcome at Valea Verde, guided Truffle Hunt, wilderness risotto lunch incl. a glass of wine
Package price for 6 -14 Persons: Euro 350, – plus Euro 25,- per person
Our Truffle Hunting Weekend
During truffle season we offer a weekend package dedicated to the black gold of Transylvania! Once you enjoyed you’re welcome drink on Friday evening, we invite you to enjoy a four course truffle dinner. After a good night’s sleep and a delicious breakfast with some truffle egg dish we will head to the forest on Saturday on a guided 2h truffle hunt. Back at the Valea Verde we will then have a delicious light two course truffle lunch leaving room for the five-course truffle tasting dinner in the evening. After some truffled egg benedict for breakfast it’s time to say goodbye – with a small truffle gift…!
Duration: each weekend September – February, Friday 17h – Sunday 12h
Services: welcome drink, guided Truffle Hunt, two breakfasts, 1 four course dinner, 1 five course dinner, 1 lunch
Package price: Euro 169, – per adult, accommodation not included
