I’m sitting in our tavern, the air heavy with the scent of freshly picked fruits from the Motovun forest, and on the table in front of me is my grandfather’s old, worn-out bag. That smell – a mixture of damp earth, old linen and that penetrating, aromatic trail left by the white truffle – takes me back to the 1950s, when our Bartolić family laid the foundations of what we now proudly call “Tartufi Istria”.
Many people think that to hunt for truffles, all you need is a dog and a little luck. But the real truth is hidden in the details. Just as a top chef doesn’t enter the kitchen without his knife, an experienced truffle hunter doesn’t set out into the forest without a specific tool. Every piece of equipment we carry with us has its own purpose, history and a reason why it hasn’t changed in decades.
“Otka” – More than just a shovel
If you were to ask me what the most sacred piece of equipment is, I would say without a second thought – the otka. It is a small, hand-forged shovel with a wooden handle, without which it is unthinkable to go truffle hunting in Istria.
Why is it so important? Truffles, especially the most prized one, the Tuber magnatum Pico (white truffle), often hide deep under the roots of oak or hornbeam trees. The otka allows us surgical precision. A professional hunter never digs wildly; we carefully move the soil, millimeter by millimeter, so as not to damage the delicate body of the truffle. One wrong move with an ordinary shovel and the value of your catch drops to nothing.
In addition, legal regulations and ethics dictate that after the truffle is extracted, the hole must be filled in and the soil returned to its original state in order to preserve the mycelium for the next season. The otka is our best ally here.
A bag that preserves freshness and secrets
Our bag doesn’t just carry truffles; it carries tradition. Professional hunters avoid plastic. Plastic bags are death to truffles – they “sweat” in them, losing moisture and their specific aroma.
We use bags made of natural materials:
Canvas bags: For short routes through the forest, they allow the truffle to “breathe”.
Leather bags: Sturdy, resistant to the thorns of the Motovun forest and excellent for maintaining a stable temperature.
When the dog locates a black truffle, it goes into a separate compartment, while the white one, due to its fragility, is additionally wrapped in a soft cloth. Preserving your catch begins the moment you take it out of the ground, not when you get home.
Footwear and Clothing: Battling the Istrian Thicket
It may sound banal, but your clothing is your protection. Motovun Forest is not a landscaped park; it is a wilderness full of undergrowth, mud, and hidden roots along the banks of the Mirna River.
High-top rubber boots: They are essential because the best truffle habitats are often damp and marshy.
Layered clothing in muted colors: Professional truffle hunters value discretion. We don’t want to attract the attention of the competition as we head towards our “golden locations”.
Good gloves: Although many people like to feel the earth under their fingers, thorns and sharp rocks will quickly convince you otherwise.
Dog treats: The most important piece of equipment
In every pocket of my jacket you will find pieces of cheese or special biscuits. Our dogs are not just working animals; they are members of the Bartolić family. Without them, all the equipment in the world would be useless.
The moment a dog marks a spot and receives its well-deserved reward is the foundation of trust. A good truffle hunter never skimps on the quality of treats for his dogs, as this is the fuel that powers them through hours and hours of wandering through the forest.
Do you want to see what the perfect synchronization of man, dog and equipment looks like?
Technology in the service of tradition (or not?)
Today, some use GPS devices for dogs, which can be useful in dense parts of the forest, but we still rely mostly on our ears and eyes. The sound of rustling leaves and the change in the dog’s breathing tell us more than any screen. The only modern “equipment” we accept is a good headlamp for those nighttime hikes when the scent of truffles spreads best in the cold, damp air.
Cleaning and maintaining the catch after the forest
The equipment does not end in the forest. As soon as we return home, the cleaning phase begins.
Soft brushes: To remove soil from the white truffle without damaging the periderm (skin).
Scales: Precision is key in our work.
Glass containers: For proper storage in controlled conditions before the truffles make their way to your table.
Smell the scent of Istrian gold
Being a truffle hunter is a calling that combines modesty, skill and top-notch equipment. In the “Tartufi Istra” family, we are proud to use every piece of equipment with respect for the nature that gives us these incredible fruits.
We invite you to visit us in our stores in Motovun, Poreč or Rovinj to see some of this equipment, hear first-hand stories and, of course, taste the results of our efforts. If you are unable to come, our webshop offers you fresh catches and products that carry the spirit of the Motovun Forest directly to your kitchen.
And if you are brave enough to try the truffle in your hand yourself, book a truffle hunt via our website. We promise you an experience that you will remember for a lifetime – because in Istria, every effort in the forest pays off in the end with a plate of warm pasta and a glass of good wine.
