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cient Romans, for example, believed that the truffle was created when lightning struck damp earth. The forests in Turopolje are marshy and thus perfect for the truffle growth.

Truffles mayrange from the size of a walnut to the size of a fist. Because they occur naturally around the roots of trees, truffle hunters in the past often used pigs to dig them up. Today, specially trained dogs are used more widely, mainly because pigs would eat most of the truffles they locate.

Truffles are prized for their flavor and aroma worldwide. They are also rare, difficult to source, and once harvested, they can lose the intensity of flavourwithin days. All of thiscombined makes them one of the world’s most expensive foods.

Petar, who’s been in the truffle business for seven years, makes his own tartufatasaucewhich is delicious whencombined with pasta. He also sells truffles to the local restaurants and hotels.However,what he enjoys the most, is taking his guests on a truffle hunting tour around the Turopolje Grove. After a two-hour exciting walk with Petar and his canine companions - Kali and Njuška, a happy and rewarded visitor will definitely have a chance to exclaim: MY PRECIOUS!

It is hard to compare the taste of truffleswith anything else. They have an earthy, umami-rich flavor that people either adore or dislike completely.You cannot be indifferent.

To round up a perfect day, Petaris taking us to the local restaurant Babriga to sample some traditional local dishes enriched with the aromatic truffle shavings. Nothing can spice up your meal better than a freshly grated local truffle.

It is hard to imagine that only half an hour away from the hustle and bustle of the Croatia’s capital there is an oasis of woodlandwith nature’s best kept underground secret,where you will be kept occupied for the whole day. Just make sure you have your trekking shoes ready! For truffle hunting tours and truffle gourmete xperience in Turopolje contact Ivana Kovačić: ivana. kovacic@gmail.com / +385 (91) 548 8250

DID YOU KNOW THAT… …in the waters of Turopolje area there are more than twenty species of fish and two hundred types of birds? ...there were witches’trials in the old town of Lukavec, not far from VelikaGorica, all the way ‘til 18th century? ... the Croats from Turopoljeinvented a ‘cravat’, forerunner of today’s necktie in the 17th century?