Finding truffles with dogs in the Prades Mountains of Catalonia

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Finding truffles in the wild was an absolute first and a beautiful experience. This was my 3rd mission on my Catalunya Challenge.

I initially thought I'd go truffle hunting with pigs which is the traditional way to do it but I ended up exploring the woods around the Prades mountain with 3 very skilled dogs owned by Didac Tofona together with Xavier my host at Camping Serra de Prades.

To my surprise the dogs found the truffles incredibly fast! I spent the entire day learning everything about truffles and we even enjoyed some the traditional way in the middle of the forest. I even digged up a truffles nest. You can find my YouTube video about that and some truffle fun facts below in the post.

Want to know how to find truffles yourself? Just get in touch with Didac on his 'Tofona de la Conca' website

Today I tackled my 3rd mission on the #CatalunyaChallenge in the #CostaDaurada region I went truffle hunting in the forests on #Prades mountain with the help of Didac a professional truffle hunter, his trusted and super cute four legged friends and my host at @CampingSerraDePrades, Xavier. It turned into a very lovely day in nature. 🐕🌳🍃 #Vilanovadeprades #DestinationChallenges with @catalunyaexperience #CatalunyaExperience

Een bericht gedeeld door Bjorn Troch (@thesocialtraveler) op 10 Mei 2017 om 11:18 PDT

Making a meaningful connecting to ensure a successful #Trufflehunt. The #truffle hunter relies greatly on man's best friend. These dogs are especially trained to track down the truffles so the hunter can dig them up. In the past also pigs were used but they tend to eat the #truffles themselves 😂 #CatalunyaChallenge #DestinationChallenges with @catalunyaexperience #CatalunyaExperience

Een bericht gedeeld door Bjorn Troch (@thesocialtraveler) op 10 Mei 2017 om 11:36 PDT

I was absolutely stunned how quick they found the first #truffles. It didn't even take them 5 minutes. #DidYouKnow that a #truffle is like a parasite. It attaches itself to trees so that's where to look for them 😉 The things you learn... #Prades #CatalunyaChallenge #DestinationChallenges with @catalunyaexperience #CatalunyaExperience

Een bericht gedeeld door Bjorn Troch (@thesocialtraveler) op 10 Mei 2017 om 11:55 PDT

Keeping her eye on the price. #Truffle rockstar she is! 😎 #CatalunyaChallenge #DestinationChallenges with @catalunyaexperience #CatalunyaExperience

Een bericht gedeeld door Bjorn Troch (@thesocialtraveler) op 10 Mei 2017 om 12:04 PDT

#DidYouKnow there's a Summer and a Winter truffle? The one with the white inside is the #summertruffle and the one with the black the #wintertruffle aka #blackdiamond. Summer truffles are way more common than winter ones and that translate in the price. You'd pay about €200/kg for summer ones and €800/kg for winter ones. They also taste very different but are both considered as a delicacy in the culinary world. #CatalunyaChallenge #destinationchallenges with @catalunyaexperience #CatalunyaExperience

Een bericht gedeeld door Bjorn Troch (@thesocialtraveler) op 10 Mei 2017 om 1:35 PDT

Today's catch 😉 📷 by @campingserradeprades #CostaDaurada #truffles #muntanyesdeprades #CatalunyaChallenge with @catalunyaexperience #CatalunyaExperience

Een bericht gedeeld door Bjorn Troch (@thesocialtraveler) op 10 Mei 2017 om 1:44 PDT

A forest, wine, toast, olive oil and some truffle salt is all that you need to enjoy the rich truffle flavour Catalan style! 😉 #costadaurada #Prades #CatalunyaChallenge with @catalunyaexperience #CatalunyaExperience

Een bericht gedeeld door Bjorn Troch (@thesocialtraveler) op 10 Mei 2017 om 3:13 PDT

In the evening I was spoiled with an extensive truffle dinner at Serra de Prades

The Serra de Prades owl waved me off to the next adventure ;-)

More Catalunya Challenges stories here...