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A truffle is a type of mushroom that grows under the ground, it looks like a potato and has a specific and profound odour. Since they cannot be seen on the ground surface, they are found by specially trained dogs or pigs, that have an excellent sense of smell. There are about seventy types of truffles known in the world, half of which grows in Europe. Truffles of Istria are very appreciated in the gastronomic world: there you can find a great white truffle, and three types of black truffle. The largest finding place is in the forrest of Motovun, in the valley of river Mirna. The city of Buzet is famous for its tradition of truffeling and even has a nickname of the ''City of truffles''. According to the old tales even Mary Therese used to come to Istria to eat this specialty, and the official archives of the Vienna Court confirm that truffles had been on the royal menu since 1815. Thanks to the suitable ground type it is possible to find fresh truffles all throughout the year, buy them or taste them in one of delicious meals. Truffle is served as a mushroom, or as a spice to a main dish. Gastronomic specialists say that a simple side-dish like polenta or Istrian fuži really brings its taste out. How much they are appreciated in Buzet speaks the traditional giant omelette; every year 2000 eggs and 20 pounds of truffles are prepared in a pan (2,5 m in diameter) to be eaten afterward by the inhabitans and thei visitors. Incidentally, truffles are known to be an afrodisiac, although there are no scientific proofs of it. The price of a high quality sample can reach a price of 4000 € per kg, but what was the price of the record truffle (1,31 kg) found near Buje that made it to the Guiness World Records book, is still a mystery.
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