"Quarry and search for truffles", the go-ahead for the candidacy for Unesco heritage arrives

• Italian mega-white truffle sold in New York for 50 thousand euros

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November 19, 2021 The outcome of the evaluation for the inclusion in the list of world heritage sites of the "Quarry and Truffle Hunt" by the committee of world experts that met in Paris was published on the Unesco website.

The UNESCO body of experts has expressed a positive opinion on the candidacy of the "Quarry and Truffle Search" to enter the list of World Heritage Sites. The news published on the website of the international organization headed by the UN also publishes a series of photographs of moments in the search for the precious tuber.

The final decision is expected from 13 to 18 December, at the conclusion of an application process formally presented by Italy in March 2020. 

In Italy, the search and collection of truffles is a complex practice, with a specific legislation issued to prevent the 'quarry' from being carried out in such a way as to cause damage to the truffle grounds. The law of 16 December 1985 n. 752, entitled "Framework legislation on the collection, cultivation and trade of fresh truffles intended for consumption", governs the sector, launched after the increase in the collection of truffles carried out with practices that are not environmentally friendly. The legislation mandated the Regions to regulate the harvest of the excellent tuber on their territory, establishing some common rules.

However, the search for truffles is a practice that requires experience and perseverance. Normally the truffle hunter uses a dog to find the precious food inside the truffle grounds, whose sense of smell is essential in identifying the truffle.

The candidacy of the truffle as a World Heritage Site is an important step to defend a system marked by a special relationship with nature, in a ritual rich in anthropological and cultural aspects that develops, in the suitable areas, a business estimated at over half a billion EUR. This was stated by Coldiretti commenting on the positive opinion of the UNESCO world experts committee on the candidacy of the "Quarry and Truffle Hunt" for inclusion in the World Heritage List. The announcement came in a particular year due to the climatic conditions that made the average price of the white truffle soar to 450 euros per hecto at the Alba truffle market, a national reference point for the most precious tuber in Italy. .

To raise the prices was the long period of drought that slowed down the birth of truffles but hopefully - underlined Coldiretti - in the positive effects of bad weather with continuous rainfall from the beginning of autumn in the regions suitable for harvesting, from the Marche to Calabria, from Umbria to Molise, from Abruzzo to Tuscany up to Lazio and Piedmont.

The Tuber magnatum Pico - concluded Coldiretti - involves about 200,000 official collectors in Italy who supply shops and restaurants.  

In general, however, truffles cost a lot as spontaneous tubers are very rare and take years to grow.

Furthermore, their price also affects the cost of the equipment used for harvesting.