Bianconi Truffles, artisans of Umbria-Tuscany forest scents.

Aromatic, fragrant, flavorful, and precious, the truffle is the King of forest flavors, and Saverio Bianconi knows this well, having founded the company Tartufi Bianconi.
Nestled in the greenery of the Altotiberina countryside, since 1990 the company has been engaged in processing truffles and forest flavors, creating products that truly enhance their aroma. It is the products from Tartufi Bianconi that will accompany us on our discovery of the fragrant truffle. So, let’s take a look at their offerings, their philosophy, and above all… how to best enhance this exquisite ingredient!

Tartufi Bianconi, since 1990 true protagonists of forest flavors

The Tartufi Bianconi has been operating since 1990 in the trade and processing of truffles. The project was born from Saverio Bianconi's passion, who, together with his wife, realized the dream of promoting the Truffle of the Alta Valle del Tevere. While maintaining an artisanal character, the company has gradually expanded, capitalizing on positive experiences gained and significant recognition from an ever-growing clientele.
Clearly, the truffle is the star of the company’s products, which offers a wide range of items and many variations: from oils to honey, from salt to creams, from sauces to risottos, there’s truly something for everyone.

Thus, Tartufi Bianconi not only offers high-quality and sourced truffles but also an assortment of products that can satisfy every customer. The company’s mission is to offer consumers the authentic and genuine flavors of Umbrian-Tuscan cuisine, which is why traditional specialties with unmistakable flavors are also available.

The company’s research is instead focused on product preservation systems, linked to the rapid seasonality. Hence, maintaining the intensity and pleasantness of freshly harvested truffles, in strict compliance with naturalness and without any additives, has become an exhilarating challenge that culminates in the innovative techniques used for freezing and drying, so as to preserve the truffle's aroma.
But Saverio Bianconi's passion does not end with the creation of his products: framing his love for truffles is also a small museum born in 2002.
It all began with the discovery of a page dedicated to truffles in a herbarium from the 1500s, and from there, the idea. A small room has filled with objects, books, and curiosities related to the world of Truffles, a product that, for many, remains enveloped in a halo of mystery, a mystery we will now unveil by taking a closer look at the offerings of Tartufi Bianconi.

Focus on truffles: what they are and where they come from

Before we embark on this journey in the name of truffles, let’s clarify one thing: what are they? The Truffle is a fungus that lives underground, shaped like a tuber, and develops mainly under the roots of certain plants such as oak, lime, hazel, or poplar. It appears as an amorphous mass whose characteristics depend on the soil in which it develops.

Truffles are highly sought after in the kitchen, being famous for their intense aroma. The fame of truffles as a delicacy dates back to ancient times. The Romans were very fond of them, and countless poets and writers have extolled their aroma. Although it is an ancient food, however, the nature of truffle and its origin remained a mystery until the 19th century. One thing is certain: this ancient food is still today a symbol of a refined and sought-after cuisine.

There are countless varieties of truffles. Tartufi Bianconi offers some based on the harvest period. Indeed, as already mentioned, the company pays special attention to the seasonality of the product, which is why fresh truffles are distributed only at certain times of the year, namely during the periods when the truffle is in season.

Sweet black truffle, summer truffle, and bianchetto: the seasonalities

The precious black truffle is a highly valuable truffle, which is harvested from December to March. Aromatic, fruity, not too pungent, and very pleasant, it is one of the most sought-after products of Tartufi Bianconi. The taste is exquisite, with sweet tones, so much so that it is also called “sweet black.” It can be used raw on all dishes, perhaps shaved, but ideally it should be warmed before consumption.

Another seasonal product available on Spaghetti&Mandolino is the summer truffle, so named because it is harvested from June to August. With its sweet earthy aroma, it is perfect in fish or meat parcels or in fillings. You can store it in the freezer along with butter or oil: this way, the aroma of the scorzone is concentrated, yielding true aromatic elixirs, perfect for enhancing your dishes.
 
Don't forget the bianchetto truffle, which is harvested from January to April and has a characteristic, pungent garlic-like aroma. It's used raw on all preparations where you want to give an unmistakable taste and is enhanced in broths (with passatelli, tortellini, etc.).

As mentioned, truffles are available according to their seasonality, but this does not mean you have to give up the taste of your favorite truffle throughout the rest of the year. In fact, what matters are the preservation methods. Truffles should preferably be consumed fresh, but they can be stored for up to 6 days in the refrigerator, wrapped in absorbent paper and closed in glass jars, changing the paper daily and cleaning the truffles with a medium-hard brush and running water.
If desired, however, the truffle can be preserved to have it available all year round. It can be frozen in two ways: whole, wrapped in aluminum foil, or sliced and slightly warmed with olive oil, a clove of garlic, and a pinch of salt. This preparation can be stored for up to 2 years in the freezer, allowing you to use your truffle as needed.

Must-try products from Tartufi Bianconi

Among the most luxurious and exuberant tasting products are the sauces and truffle risottos, which release their seductive aroma in a bold flavor. A feast for the senses, which brings us back to rediscover the ancestral taste of Mother Earth.

The first must-try product is the Porcini Mushroom Risotto: tasty, easy to prepare, yet excellent in yield. The rice used is the Carnaroli from Lomellina, capable of giving great character to the first course. The mushrooms are, in fact, delicious porcini mushrooms, and before being packaged, they are slightly dried to maintain their pleasantness and aromatic characteristics. Moreover, it is incredibly easy to prepare: if you want a gourmet risotto in less than twenty minutes, then you can't let this pass you by!
Perfect when paired with a good Nebbiolo from Piedmont or a fresh and savory Custoza.

If you want to try a bolder aroma, don’t miss the Carnaroli Rice with truffle, a ready-to-eat first course that will bring the flavor and aroma of Umbria to your table. Delicious and easy to prepare, in this case as well, the rice used is the Carnaroli from Lomellina, while the truffle is the summer one, slightly dried to maintain its pleasantness. The aroma of truffle will be the most significant characteristic of this ready risotto. When paired with a structured white wine, like a Nebbiolo, it will be a unique sensory experience.

Don't love rice? Then try the Preparation for truffle purée. Tasty and easy to prepare, in its simplicity, it is simply excellent. It can also be used as a filling for ravioli and to make delicious croquettes or to accompany grilled dishes, cotechino, zampone, lentils, sauerkraut, or appetizers.

Another niche product is the Pesto with truffle, an exceptional product that brings to the table the simplicity and aromas of the Umbrian land. It is a ready-made sauce prepared with basil, pecorino cheese, and summer black truffle, perfect for pasta but also to enjoy with white meat, perhaps with a nice glass of fresh sparkling wine.

The Porcini Mushroom Cream is a must-have: it is a sauce made with porcini mushrooms and cultivated mushrooms. In short, a lot of simplicity that hits straight to the heart. Suitable for canapés, first courses, omelets, and to accompany meats, whether natural or diluted with cream or mayonnaise. Porcini cream is excellent for sautéing with short pasta, but it’s also perfect for fillings for fresh pasta or to accompany polenta.

Among the sauces, we also have the Chianina meat ragù, made with IGP beef "Vitellone Bianco dell'Appennino Centrale" following the traditional Umbrian recipe. Needless to say: ideal for egg pasta, lasagna, and fresh pasta, alongside a good red wine.

If you don't love ready-made dishes and want to indulge yourself in the kitchen, try the Dry porcini mushrooms. Of the highest quality, fragrant, and flavorful, carefully selected slice by slice, they are a versatile ingredient in the kitchen. Particularly ideal for first courses, like risotto, tagliatelle, pappardelle, lasagna, but also on a delicious cream soup. Perfect for second meat dishes: they can accompany beef fillet, rabbit, or stew in slices or pieces. Must be tried on a grill next to pumpkin!

Now let’s move on to the Tartufata sauce, a delicacy that never gets old! Made with sautéed mushrooms and summer truffle, it has an excellent yield: you only need a little to give every preparation an unmistakable flavor. Therefore, it is ideal for dressing fresh pasta or to add to fried eggs or to enjoy with hot yellow or white Venetian polenta, to stuff Venetian baccalà mantecato or small appetizers and snacks.

Not a fan of savory? Don’t worry, we’ve got something for you too. Try Dolcissimo, Acacia Honey and truffle, a true delight. Dolcissimo is made with Umbrian acacia honey and a small percentage of bianchetto truffle. It is therefore excellent for accompanying fresh cheeses, as well as aged ones, and is absolutely delicious with fruit.

Now let’s move on to seasonings. If you want to try white truffle, the White Truffle condiment from Tartufi Bianconi is perfect for you. It is a pleasant dressing made with extra virgin olive oil, with an intense aroma: just a few drops are enough to give an unmistakable flavor to many preparations. It is a precious dressing that can encapsulate all the flavors and aromas of two of the most typical products: the delicate taste of Italian extra virgin olive oil and the aroma of precious white truffle. You can use this dressing for anything: ideal for seasoning pasta, white meats, roasts, or to gently melt over slices of red meat and baked potatoes, enriching the flavor of dishes delicately.

Unmissable is the black truffle salt, which can be used instead of regular salt. It is ideal for seasoning any dish and giving it the delicate and unmistakable flavor of summer black truffle. The black truffle salt from Tartufi Bianconi is great for seasoning both cold and hot dishes, absolutely sublime in risottos or for soft-boiled eggs.

Still among the seasonings, we have the butter and white truffle based condiment, a delicate product made with Umbrian butter, white truffle, bianchetto, and a small percentage of Parmigiano Reggiano DOP. A truly creamy pleasure. Excellent also on grilled meat or fish, it is ideal on gratinated scallops or on crostini, perhaps accompanied by scrambled eggs.

But now, let’s talk about him: the fresh truffle, harvested and cleaned for us by Tartufi Bianconi, who will ship it directly to your home. They grow spontaneously and depending on the seasonality either the sweet black or summer black or bianchetto will be available.
Why do we love it? Because it is fragrant, tasty, characterized by a unique and inimitable flavor. Fresh truffle is ideal for preparing tasty sauces to dress pasta or risottos, but also to flavor cheeses and cold cuts, soft scrambled eggs or soft-boiled eggs, meat slices, vegetables, pasta… in short, whatever you want, at your discretion.
To ensure the freshness of the truffles, orders are shipped directly from the producer inside a patented package specifically designed to safeguard the freshness of the truffle, accompanied by a quality certification.

If you are a truffle and mushroom lover, and in general a lover of quality products, then you absolutely cannot miss the products from Tartufi Bianconi. You definitely won’t regret it!

S&M