Land of Truffles – Turopolje

Long ago, Turopolje was walked by nobility. Today, this region is placing a very different kind of nobility on the world’s gastronomic map: : Turopolje truffles.

The warmth of centuries-old wood beneath your hand, a truffle hunt guided by a trained dog, or a wine tasting that engages all the senses—Zagreb County is full of unexpected experiences that are almost impossible to put into words. That is precisely why they must be experienced firsthand.

Guests from the United Kingdom received the warmest welcome from Juraj Odrčić, Župan of the Noble Municipality of Turopolje, who revealed the deep-rooted connection between the people of Turopolje, nature, and the Turopolje Forest (Turopoljski Lug).

Truffles can be found throughout the year, and the adrenaline of truffle hunting in Turopolje would not be complete without the truffle hunter’s best friend—a dog. This was vividly demonstrated by Petar Alebić, a truffle hunter from Velika Gorica, who explained: “Until recently, Turopolje truffles were something of an urban myth—many doubted they even existed. Today, however, Turopolje truffles are becoming increasingly well-known and highly valued by culinary professionals in local Turopolje restaurants, where their flavour and aroma must be truly savoured.” The excitement of the truffle hunt was further enhanced by a guided forest tour on specialised quad vehicles for panoramic views, organised by the Grgar family farm (OPG Grgar).

“It is important to highlight that as early as May 2020, we began promoting the attraction of black truffle hunting in the Turopolje Forest, offering visitors a new and innovative tourism product. To create a sustainable destination and tourism experience, it is essential to establish a value chain and involve all stakeholders in branding the Turopolje black truffle, thereby ensuring the successful tourism valorisation of the region. Naturally, our strength lies in the gastronomic offer that combines truffles with the authentic cuisine of Zagreb County,” emphasised Ivana Alilović, Director of the Zagreb County Tourist Board. She added, “After a successful hunt, it is time to enjoy the truffle itself. Local specialities such as roast pork and steak made from Turopolje pig pair perfectly with freshly grated Turopolje truffle. These delicacies were presented to our guests by the restaurant Mon Ami, led by chef Bruno Ceronja. We took the experience a step further by pairing premium wines from our county with a Turopolje chocolate delicacy—a praline from the Marković family chocolate factory in Velika Gorica. These are experiences that truly must be lived.”

Naturally, the end of the truffle hunt was enriched with a tasting of fine craft spirits from Zagreb’s “green ring,” at the Brigljević Distillery in Velika Gorica. What began as home production of herbal brandies and liqueurs, driven by enthusiasm and constant experimentation, has grown into Croatia’s first craft gin.

The search for this black treasure in the LAND OF TRUFFLES – TUROPOLJE showcased the region’s rich heritage and tradition, its food and wine offer, and opportunities for active holidays, with a strong emphasis on sustainable and green tourism. British influencers took part in the truffle hunt, promoting Zagreb County’s specialised tourism offer in cooperation with the Croatian National Tourist Board (Jordan Brown, Kristabel Plummer, Elisha Brock, Ruby Peng, and Rachel Wilkinson).