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Black Truffles, St. Siffrein, and Carpentras

By morel delimma ⋅ November 27, 2006 ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment

The most learned men have been questioned as to the nature of this tuber, and after two thousand years of argument and discussion their answer is the same as it was on the first day: we do not know. The truffles themselves have been interrogated, and have answered simply: eat us and praise the Lord. ~~ Alexandre Dumas(1802-1870).

The St Siffrein Fair is an important occasion in the life of Carpentras, Provence, France. It begins on 27 November (today!) and coincides with the equally famous black truffle market. Candied fruit, strawberries, melon, bonbons, ‘berlingots’ and grapes (used for the wine Côtes de Ventoux) are all specialities claimed by the city of Carpentras. The Old Foodie has a humorous article about the black truffle, and you can find more information about Carpentras through the BBC Holiday.