Oh, to visit the capitol of the most prized truffle of them all, the White Truffle of Alba, what good fortune! And to visit during the season which runs from September to December, even better! This town in Piemonte bursts with everything white truffle and we were there in November, smack in the middle of the International White Truffle fair of Alba.
The white truffle of Alba is legendary (and really pricey). Each season, fine-dining restaurants in Singapore would import the “King of Mushrooms” and charge astronomical prices.
That said, it was still pricey in its hometown. Restaurants would shave the tuber and weigh it by the gram. Yes, a few feathery morsels weighing just a gram would cost 7€. And obviously, you’d want more than four slivers on your plate. Generally, adding white truffle would nearly triple the original price of a dish. It wasn’t uncommon to find 55€ risottos and pastas being served.
But, you only live once, and when you are in Alba, the land of the white truffle, you just gotta do it and be grateful that you can!
Visiting the Alba White Truffle Fair:
Being the planner that I am, I wanted to lock in tickets and activities while I was in Singapore. But life got in the way, and I couldn’t. In the end, it is absolutely not necessary to buy tickets to the fair in advance. Unless you want to attend specific cooking or wine tasting masterclasses.
But you’re in Piemonte! A region gourmands regard as the prime food haven in Italy. Depends on which gourmand you ask, of course. This is Italy, with all the different nonnas from all the different regions…how can one compare to the other? Blasphemy!
I say, forget about learning to cook, spend your time eating out! I wasn’t sure if the restaurants would be serving the white truffle, so, pre-trip, I spent quite a bit of time looking at menus and reviews online. And found some really good options, many of which made life easier by providing online reservation options. I’ve shared my restaurant recommendations in my Barolo, Barbaresco & Beyond post, check that out.
We rocked up on a Saturday morning to the venue in town (actually, in Alba, it seems like everything is in “town”…it’s a small place with only about 30,000 residents) and bought tickets on the spot. No long queues, it was 16 November. I can’t recall the cost, I think it was 10€? But just make sure you go for the one that includes the wine tasting at the booths, you’ll get a pouch with a wine glass, very handy. The crowds inside start to build up from midday but it’s manageable and adds to the vibe.
Walking in to the fair, you don’t need to be a truffle-hunting dog to whiff that earthy sweetness in the air. It’s everywhere. If you’re so inclined, you could even buy a piece, then get an official to attest to the quality!
I saw many people buying the tuber, the vendors allowed people to get a whiff. I saw some even holding it in their hands, so I surreptitiously picked up one to do the same when no one was looking! I wasn’t in the market so I’m not sure the trifolai (truffle hunters) would have been happy to have their precious bounty manhandled by a trigger-happy curious gal.
Don’t Forget the Wine at the Alba White Truffle Fair!
A ticket to the fair comes with a useful pouch and wine glass because it’s not just about the truffle. You can rock up to any booth to taste their wine, usually a good range from a basic Nebbiolo to a Barolo from valued plots. It was fun speaking with the wine producers and just enjoying the overall atmosphere.
The ticket also includes two glasses of wine, something you can profit from during lunch at the fair. There is a section serving up hot plates of the classic tajarin and veal stews but you could also pick up some cheese and salumi from the vendors and enjoy a simple lunch. We spent a good half-day at the fair.
All Your White Truffle Gifts Sorted!
Needless to say, many truffle-based products abound. We picked up some white truffle butter, olive oil, paste and balsamic vinegar. It’s a good opportunity to buy back exclusive White Truffle of Alba products at reasonable prices.
So that was my experience visiting the International White Truffle Fair in Alba. Do check out my Turin Highlights as well as my five days wine tripping in Piemonte, Barolo, Barbaresco & Beyond! I’d return in a heartbeat, that’s for sure. Hope this article was of use and hit me up if you have any questions!
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