There are 63 varieties of truffle worldwide, but the most prized is the Italian white truffle, which is in season from October to late December or early January.
Italian white truffle —
There are 63 varieties of truffle worldwide, but the most prized is the Italian white truffle, which is in season from October to late December or early January.
Courtesy of To Tuscany
The San Miniato Hills, in the Arno Valley between Florence, Pisa and Siena, is one of the handful of places where the Italian white truffle can be found.
San Miniato —
The San Miniato Hills, in the Arno Valley between Florence, Pisa and Siena, is one of the handful of places where the Italian white truffle can be found.
Maureen O'Hare/CNN
Truffle hunting is a set of skills and knowledge passed down from generation to generation -- dogs as well as human. Massimo Cucchiara (left) and his father Salvatore run truffle hunting trips. Pepe is a hardy mongrel mix of springer spaniel, Segugio Italiano and setter.
Generations of knowledge —
Truffle hunting is a set of skills and knowledge passed down from generation to generation -- dogs as well as human. Massimo Cucchiara (left) and his father Salvatore run truffle hunting trips. Pepe is a hardy mongrel mix of springer spaniel, Segugio Italiano and setter.
Courtesy of To Tuscany
While Massimo and I talk, Salvatore and Pepe walk on ahead. "It's important you speak with the dog." If you're to be successful in the hunt, "you must know your dog, have empathy."
Man's best friend —
While Massimo and I talk, Salvatore and Pepe walk on ahead. "It's important you speak with the dog." If you're to be successful in the hunt, "you must know your dog, have empathy."
Courtesy of To Tuscany
Our first find of the day is a 25-gram truffle, worth up to $100. "When we find it, it appears on the ground like gold stone. Our dream every morning is to find the biggest truffle," says Massimo.
First find of the day —
Our first find of the day is a 25-gram truffle, worth up to $100. "When we find it, it appears on the ground like gold stone. Our dream every morning is to find the biggest truffle," says Massimo.
Courtesy of To Tuscany
San Miniato is on the ancient Via Francigena pilgrim route that stretches from Canterbury, England, down to Rome. Today's pilgrims come for the annual truffle festival held during the three weekends in November.
Truffle Festival —
San Miniato is on the ancient Via Francigena pilgrim route that stretches from Canterbury, England, down to Rome. Today's pilgrims come for the annual truffle festival held during the three weekends in November.
Maureen O'Hare/CNN
San Miniato is a quietly beautiful medieval hill town, perfectly positioned to explore the nearby cities of Florence, Pisa and Siena.
Architecture and scenery —
San Miniato is a quietly beautiful medieval hill town, perfectly positioned to explore the nearby cities of Florence, Pisa and Siena.
Maureen O'Hare/CNN
The town's hill command views over the Arno Valley. To the south lies the rural San Miniato Hills where the truffles are found, and to the north is the industrial district, heartland of the Italian leather industry.
Hill views —
The town's hill command views over the Arno Valley. To the south lies the rural San Miniato Hills where the truffles are found, and to the north is the industrial district, heartland of the Italian leather industry.
Maureen O'Hare/CNN
The 14th-century town hall features frescoes related to the region's history. It's a popular venue for weddings.
San Miniato Town Hall —
The 14th-century town hall features frescoes related to the region's history. It's a popular venue for weddings.
Maureen O'Hare/CNN
The town's cathedral has stood since the 13th century, and shows the influence of Moorish design during the reign of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II. The ceramic basins embedded into the brickwork take the shape of the Ursa Major and Ursa Minor constellations.
San Miniato Cathedral —
The town's cathedral has stood since the 13th century, and shows the influence of Moorish design during the reign of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II. The ceramic basins embedded into the brickwork take the shape of the Ursa Major and Ursa Minor constellations.
Maureen O'Hare/CNN
A hefty two-kilo truffle, said to be the biggest ever found, was unearthed near San Miniato in 1954 by Arturo Gallerini and his dog Parigi. A statue honors them in the town center.
The world's biggest truffle —
A hefty two-kilo truffle, said to be the biggest ever found, was unearthed near San Miniato in 1954 by Arturo Gallerini and his dog Parigi. A statue honors them in the town center.
Maureen O'Hare/CNN
Chef Gilberto Rossi is well known in Italy due to his appearances on "La prova del cuoco," a popular Italian cookery show. While he prepares tagliolini for us, his TV show airs at the same time.
Gilberto Rossi —
Chef Gilberto Rossi is well known in Italy due to his appearances on "La prova del cuoco," a popular Italian cookery show. While he prepares tagliolini for us, his TV show airs at the same time.
Courtesy of To Tuscany
Simplicity is key. Tagliolini is served with a simple base of eggs and truffle butter, topped with shavings of white truffle. "We never cook the white truffle."
Taglioni al tarfufo bianco —
Simplicity is key. Tagliolini is served with a simple base of eggs and truffle butter, topped with shavings of white truffle. "We never cook the white truffle."
Courtesy of To Tuscany
This light and delicately flavored dish was prepared by local volunteers from the San Miniato Truffle Associazione.
Risotto al tartufo bianco —
This light and delicately flavored dish was prepared by local volunteers from the San Miniato Truffle Associazione.
Maureen O'Hare/CNN
Carpaccio of Tuscan Chianina beef, seasoned with lemon juice, salt and pepper, and served with valeriana salad, pine nuts and shavings of white truffle and Parmesan. On the side, white bread spread with soft mascarpone cheese and topped with a sliver of truffle.
Carpaccio al tartufo bianco —
Carpaccio of Tuscan Chianina beef, seasoned with lemon juice, salt and pepper, and served with valeriana salad, pine nuts and shavings of white truffle and Parmesan. On the side, white bread spread with soft mascarpone cheese and topped with a sliver of truffle.
Maureen O'Hare/CNN