Catalonia, Truffle Country – Vic, Black Truffle Gastronomic Capital

Catalonia has a great tradition and culture in the harvesting of wild truffles, being a pioneer in their use within the Spanish territory. This early vocation also extends to the cultivation of black truffles, as demonstrated by an article published in the La Vanguardia newspaper on December 6, 1911. It mentions a conference held at the Catalan Agricultural Institute of San Isidro, under the title “Rural Industries and Truffle Cultivation”, given by Don José María Pujador y Ventós.
In the region of Osona, whose capital is Vic, is where the tradition and culture of black truffles in Spain began. In Vic, we find the first black truffle exchange in the State, and in its Plaza Mayor it is possible to acquire fresh black truffles every weekly market day during the harvesting season. In addition, the area hosts various events dedicated to this precious fungus, such as the Centelles Truffle Fair or the Trufforum Vic, which celebrate and promote its gastronomic and cultural value.
According to the gastronome and sommelier, Ramon Roset, in reference to Trufforum Vic, he highlights that, “The city of Vic has known how to take advantage of the opportunity presented to it to become one of the capitals of black truffles at a European level, hosting this event which is a demonstration of how to disseminate and promote a product, in this case the black truffle. The Trufforum is an event of those that the Anglo-Saxons call “all in one”: if you want to know anything about black truffles at any level, you will find it at the Trufforum. It is a gastronomic conference, a fair, a congress and a training and demonstration space. In my opinion, the Trufforum marks a possible path to follow – and I am not saying that there are no others – to disseminate and promote a product. And it also marks an ambition: that of promoting black truffles as a quality product without complexes, and globally.”
Vic and the Osona region occupy a central position in the culinary culture of Catalonia, combining a rich gastronomic tradition with innovative proposals that have given rise to a diverse and quality offer. Emblematic products such as longaniza de Vic stand out alongside a creative cuisine that fills the region with excellent restaurants. In this context, the black truffle has been fully integrated into the local gastronomic identity, present both in restaurant menus and in gourmet products. Many of these spaces have become, by themselves, authentic tourist experiences (Source: National Geographic Viajes).