Istria's truffle hunting tradition began in 1966 by the Karlić family's grandfather. The family hunts, buys, and supplies truffles to 25 countries around the world since then. Truffles are one of the most famous foods in Istria.

Buzet's forest is home to a hidden treasure - Istrian white and black truffles. September marks the beginning of the great feast of the truffle, a gastronomic giant. Buzet was declared the City of Truffles in 1999, which encompasses three administrative areas: Buzet, Oprtalj, and Motovun. It is located in the Motovun forest, the habitat of the Istrian white truffle (tuber magnatum). It has a distinctive smell, an unsightly appearance, but it tastes amazing. There are also many types of black truffles in this area (Tuber Aestivum Vitt, Tuber Brumale, Tuber Melanosporum).

Istrian Truffles

Truffles are underground tuberous mushrooms with a unique flavor that are considered the pinnacle of gastronomy. The plant grows in the wet forest near Buzet, through which the Mirna river flows, in the heart of Istria. With the help of specially trained dogs, this hidden treasure can be found.

A valley of the river Mirna is home to white truffles, which ripen in early autumn, and black truffles, which are found both in winter and summer.

As part of "Truffle Day 2002," Buzet's Tourist Board held a first-ever sales exhibition called Truffle Weekend. November's first weekend is the date of this event.

Its purpose is to promote, taste, and sell truffles as a unique gastronomic product in this area, as well as other quality indigenous products (honey, cheese, olive oil, wine, brandy, mushrooms, biscuits, ...), to promote weekend tourism, and to promote Buzet as the City of Truffles. A significant goal of this event is to extend the tourist season.

Each year, on the eve of St. Mary's Day (Days of the City of Buzet - traditional Saturday) on Fontana Square, an enormous fritada with truffles is prepared (over 2,000 eggs and 10 kg of truffles) in a pan weighing around 1,000 kg, with a diameter of 2.5 meters. In the Truffle Zone, this marks the beginning of Truffle Days. .

"Istrian gold", the white truffle, is the most valued type of truffle, with an aphrodisiac smell and taste. A fresh, grated version is best consumed from September to January in inner Istria; a frozen version is available the rest of the year.

Although it can be found all year round, the black truffle is known as the summer truffle. It has a pleasant taste, a light aroma, and a pleasant smell. It is excellent for pasta and frittatas prepared with black truffles.

Get to know Istria in a whole new way

Find his majesty Tartuf, the hidden underground treasure. Enjoy an adventure with the Karlić family, whose third generation hunts truffles. Your friendly hosts will tell you everything you need to know about truffles, hunting traditions, and more.

In a beautiful setting, they will prepare you a tasting of truffle products, and you can buy them in their store.

It is certain that the adrenaline you will experience with them hunting for truffles will not leave you indifferent, because truffles are their passion, their way of living.

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A museum dedicated to Croatian truffles

This museum is dedicated to truffles and truffle hunters from Istria and around the world. The Karlić family realized that an underground treasure could be presented with their visual, auditory, and olfactory senses after years of collecting information, old things, and stories about truffles.

You are therefore invited to make an appointment with Karlić Tartufi and experience an unforgettable adventure.

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