The season of natures most precious fungus is with us again and this year has recorded the find of gigantic truffles in various areas of Italy. Although Alba in Piemonte is considered the truffle capital of Italy, the gourmet treasure is to be found in other regions such as Lazio, where the truffle hunting tradition in Campoli Appennino goes back 300 years. The small mountain town in the Frosinone area chalked up a record this year, with the unearthing of a fine example weighing 820 grams of the biggest truffle ever found in the vicinity.  

Alba, the acclaimed truffle capital of Italy, produced a magnificent white truffle weighing 150 grams at the International Truffle Fair, which organizers donated to the pop singer Sting in recognition of his commitment to environment conservation.

Another white truffle from Alba  weighing one kilo and valued at 10,000 was purchased at the fund-raising auction at Grinzano Cavour by entrepreneur Antonio Bertolotto and donated to the Pope, who passed it on to the Caritas soup kitchen on Romes Colle Oppio near the Colosseum, where it provided 500 immigrants and destitute people with an unexpected gourmet feast.