Several truffle species have been famous at the Mediterranean since the classical period. However, there is a market demand for only certain types of good quality truffles.Truffle is a type of mushroom from the tuber family. It grows under the ground, in symbiosis with certain types of trees, such as oak, beech, poplar, willow, elm etc. It is formed of a tight mycelial network. The fleshy part is hidden under wrinkled surface.

Truffle Seeking
While truffle seeking was once performed with the help of pigs, nowadays only dogs, regardless of the breed, are trained for it. When the dog smells the truffle, it shows the spot to its master. A professional truffle seeker uses a special tool to carefully dig out the truffle, and covers the soil after to enable the growth of new fruit. The dog is immediately rewarded for its discovery. Everything else that goes with truffle seeking is part of a professional secret.

History
The Istrian white truffle is the most common in forests that spread along the river Mirna valley, on vast, publicly owned areas. However, it can be found on some other valleys in the region as well.Its discovery and classification took place in 1930, during the activities on Parenzana, a narrow-gauge railway from Trieste to Poreč. At the time, one private company started its exploitation and sales, concentrated around the centre of truffle commerce, Livade. After 1945, the truffle came to the market through public companies. In fact, the business was concentrated on direct profit rather than on the presentation and valorisation of the unique truffle originating from this area.
In 1990, the Zigante family began commercialising the fresh truffle, putting at the same time efforts to make it recognisable at the European level. Thanks to its flavour and taste, this truffle starts to be more and more used in the preparation of superior meals that are well combined with the tradition of local culinary specialities.