Interview with Claudio Morati of NERO PREGIATO for Garda2Day
WE SHARE WITH YOU THE INTERVIEW CONDUCTED FOR THE UPCOMING PROJECT, GARDA2DAY
We visited the Valtenesi truffle farm of the NERO PREGIATO brand, which, as you may have already guessed, specializes precisely in the production and distribution of the most prized quality of black truffles, the Precious Black Truffle.
The owner and person responsible for the establishment of the truffle farm and the NERO PREGIATO brand is Claudio Morati, whom we asked some questions to better understand the company's history and his passion for the magical and mysterious world of truffles.
When and how did your passion for truffles begin?
It was the year 1999, and I was with a dear friend, Luca, who told me about mycorrhizal plants for creating truffle farms. At the time, this topic exploded with many fraudulent entities promoting themselves through radio publications. Yes, in those years, this was the way to scam people, and many fell for it, creating hypothetical truffle farms by purchasing common plants that were not mycorrhizal for truffles at all. Luca told me about a certain person named Vezzola Virgilio, the president of the Brescian Truffle Growers and Farmers Association, who conducts research and experimentation on the mycorrhization of plants with fungi of the Tuber and Basidiomycetes genera. Associations and activities: President of the Brescian Truffle Growers and Farmers Association. Research and experimentation on the mycorrhization of plants with fungi of the Tuber and Basidiomycetes genera. Creation of truffle farms with all Tuber species permitted for collection and trade. And I, a young twenty-year-old, only knew that there were only two qualities of truffles, black and white, and that it was an expensive food available to a few people who could afford it. Precisely because of this economic value, it aroused my interest and desire to create my own real truffle farm. On that very day that Luca told me about it, and knowing where Mr. Vezzola Virgilio lived, we went to his house, and I found him available to welcome us. Mr. Vezzola Virgilio's personality is that of a genuine, sincere, and very helpful person, a true living encyclopedia for the world of truffles, he is an incredible character. In 24/48 hours, he can talk tirelessly about the life, death, and miracles of truffles. All of them. White or black truffle makes no difference. From Alba to Norcia, from Monzambano to the gardens near the Canton Mombello prisons in Brescia. He can find them in the most unthinkable places. But his kingdom is Tignale and generally the Lake Garda area. From that moment on, a great curiosity and interest for this mysterious and sought-after gift from the earth was unleashed in me. In the days following the meeting with Mr. Vezzola Virgilio, I continued to learn more and more and understood that the most interesting quality of truffles was the Precious Black Truffle, the Tuber melanosporum. For its many characteristics and economic value. I contacted Vezzola Virgilio to survey my uncultivated land. Following Vezzola's directives, I had the soil analyzed, and after careful analysis, it was confirmed that the land was suitable for symbiotic Precious Black Truffle plants. I planted the first 100 symbiotic plants alone. The process was slow and patient for many years, many mistakes for not having followed the complete natural biological cycle, over the years I understood and learned a lot. Several people made fun of me. Imagine how disheartened I was after years of not seeing even a micro truffle, continuing to be ridiculed. Then the first truffles appeared, even popping out of the ground here and there! My happiness was immense! But, I constantly thought about the people who made fun of me, precisely for this reason, I decided not to harvest any truffles for three years, sacrificing time and earnings to increase the spores in the soil. With these results, my true passion for truffles was born.
Why did you choose precious black truffle?
Because the Precious Black Truffle has a decisive but refined aroma and an intense but delicate taste. Do you say that's a contradiction? No, it's the magic of the Precious Black Truffle. It's the only quality of truffle you can use from appetizers to desserts, with pizzas and even with cocktails, logically with the right food pairings. Above all, in my opinion, it's better than white truffle.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to undertake the path of creating a truffle-producing plantation?
To rely only on truly capable and competent people to create a truly productive truffle-producing plantation. In this sector, scams are around the corner. Do not delegate everything completely but be completely involved in everything, being present in every step of the realization process. Once the plantation is created, arm yourself with great patience and respect completely Mother Nature and the complete biological cycle of the truffle, which lasts eight months to then yield the fruit given each season. Do not take any initiative without knowledge; even cutting the grass can disrupt the natural biological cycle of the truffle. It is not simple; there are various reasons why this gift of nature has a certain economic value.
What is your favorite dish with truffle?
A favorite dish? I struggle to answer with a single dish because there are many that I prefer, giving me indulgence and satisfaction. I'll mention a few.
- Raviolo Yolk and Precious Black Truffle
- Lasagna with Precious Black Truffle and Squid
- Red of the Sea, Black of the Earth
I also prefer this dessert so we have a complete meal, the
What would be your personal motto?
Good and precious appetite!
What are the future plans for Precious Black Truffle?
The fresh Precious Black Truffle season is short, and for this reason, it was of interest to me to create some quality jarred products to be able to offer this prized truffle quality all year round. Few products but of great authenticity. Now I cannot anticipate the novelties, but we are in the process of creating some other products to add to the range of Precious Black Truffle products.
I would add that I have a mission. My goal is to make known the high quality of our Precious Black Truffle. I want, above all, for this precious fruit to reach private homes, that it be a right, not a luxury.
We bring our culinary suggestions into the home, reviewing certain recipes and enhancing them with the use of Precious Black Truffle (Tuber Melanosporum) - simple yet effective recipes that are easy to replicate.
Private consumers would greatly benefit from learning how to best use Precious Black Truffle, valuing it and therefore no longer being "afraid" to purchase it for home consumption.
We collaborate with chefs to build a project together for the dissemination and awareness of the use of Precious Black Truffle, the diamond of truffles.