The best flavors of Provence : Aups & Verdon Truffle Museum

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Verdon Regional Natural Park, the Truffe House of Aups & Verdon is organizing a week of discovering summer truffles !

Unlike the black truffle (Tuber Melanosporum), the best known on the market today, the Tuber Aestivum is a variety of truffles that are harvested only in summer, between April and August. Not cooking, the culinary dishes prepared from this truffle are original, fresh and refined. To spend a stay or few days in the Verdon gorges is the perfect opportunity for you to participate in this week of discovery of the white truffle, so called by the color of its flesh.

The summer truffle, a unique flavor between sweetness and woody fragrance

From its Latin name Tuber Aestivum, summer truffle or white truffle is a variety that is harvested only during the summer season. It takes its name from its whitish / beige inner color, and its culinary characteristics are particular. In fact, it's eaten only raw, which makes it an ideal pant during the summer when we consume much more fresh and / or without cooking than the rest of the year.

After the harvest, the summer truffles must be eaten quickly because it's a fragile product that does not preserve and which very quickly loses its aromas, which are intended to be sweet and long in the mouth.

Of course there are several kinds of truffles, and those consumed by man belong to the "Tuber" family. The other kind, called Elaphomyces, is also edible but far less tasty than the real truffle. The texture is more floury, resinous and sticky, so little sought after by men. On the other hand, it's very popular with animals such as deer, wild boars or squirrels.

In culinary art, truffle is a luxury ingredient that is used both for preparing starters, dishes and desserts. It is also a very expensive product on the market, due to its sometimes long and difficult harvests, its rarity and its unique taste. Since the white truffle can not be frozen or cooked, its price is about 4 to 5 times cheaper than that of the black truffle.

Culinary workshops for a unique taste experience

During this week of discovering summer truffles, the Truffle House of Aups & Verdon welcomes you and plunges you into the world of this mushroom with its unique and varied characteristics. Among the workshops offered, you will have the chance to participate in tasting sessions but also preparation. Enjoy wines from the vineyards of the Verdon, and learn how to cook easy recipes around summer truffles !

On Tuesday 4th July and from 8 € / person (only by reservation), you will have the opportunity to attend a truffle digging session at the Domaine de Majastre in Bauduen. The cavage corresponds to the harvest of the truffles, but it is a word specially used in this market. Generally, these harvests are made thanks to dogs truffle, pigs but also flies ! It will then be a special species (the Suillia Fuscicornis) which uses the truffle to lay its eggs there. Researchers have only to follow the direction of the flight of these insects, and observe where they land.

This high flavors week organized by the Truffle House will be punctuated by a unique evening on Wednesday, July 5, in Aups. Guided tours of the city, culinary workshops, tasting stands, demonstrations of cavage or gourmet visit of the Truffle House will be at the rendezvous of this original night.

Inaugurated during the end of 2015, the Truffle House of Aups & Verdon welcomes you in its 200 m² of discovery of white truffle summer, offering you numerous workshops and small excursions around the truffle.

Our agency, in partnership with Secret Verdon, gives you the chance to participate in these summer truffle discovery activities. As part of a stay in the Verdon gorges for example, our team will be able to adapt the program so that you can fully enjoy the Maison de la Truffe d'Aups & du Verdon. In the case of a visit to the largest canyon in Europe, Active Road will be able to offer you a culinary tour, halfway between discovering magnificent landscapes and workshops of the senses.

Do not hesitate to send us your request on contact@active-road.com !

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