Castellón - This was the Mostra 2014 of the Black Truffle of Ports-Maestrat

Gastronomic contest for black truffles at the Mostra del Ports-Maestrat in Castellón

The black truffle is a great protagonist in the region of High Mastership, at interior of Castellón, and the best expression of what is said is the fair that is held every year around this fungus that has become a pearl of the gastronomyto.

My recent trip through this region coincided with the celebration of this fair, known as the Mostra 2014 of the Black Truffle of Ports-Maestrat, whose main activities took place on the weekend of February 8 and 9.

But, what can you see and do at a black truffle fair?

This year's edition has taken place in the town of Benassal, in whose exhibition pavilion all activities have been developed.

On Saturday, technical conferences are held on truffle, with presentations and round tables on topics related to the cultivation and collection of truffles.

Truffle search contest at the Mostra de la Trufa Negra del Maestrazgo

And on Sunday, the day of my visit, the day began with the Truffle Negra Gastronomy Contest, with the participation of cooks students of the Costa Azahar Hospitality School, from Castellón.

But, without a doubt, for the visitors, the most striking is the Truffle Finder Dog Contest, during which in a limited area next to the aforementioned pavilion, several truffle dogs, along with their owners, were looking for previously hidden truffles. This contest was complemented with an exhibition of truffle hunt with wild boar.

Mostra of the Black Truffle of Ports-Maestrat in Castellón

Finally, the day ended with a popular meal in which attendees could taste dishes prepared by the aforementioned students.

Of course, at the fair you could also see several exhibitors, from farmers producing black truffles, to nurseries that sell truffle trees, or stores selling charcuterie products in the region.

As a complement to the fair, during the months of January to March in various towns of the region the Gastronomic Days of Truffle of Castellón, during which restaurants in the area offer special menus in which the truffle is the main protagonist of the kitchen.

Here are more pictures of theMostra 2014 of the Black Truffle of Ports-Maestrat in Benassal, inside Castellón