Kyustendil: Black Truffle Hunt, Fresh Pasta & Wine Pairing

Summary

Truffle hunting in Bulgaria with fresh pasta & local wine

You’ll follow a trained dog through Kyustendil’s hazelnut orchard searching for black truffles, then watch fresh pasta being made before sitting down to a three-course meal paired with Bulgarian wine and homemade rakia. Expect laughter around the table and flavors you’ll remember long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

“You have to trust the dog more than your own nose,” our host Ivan grinned, squinting at the hazelnut trees. I didn’t expect to be following a little brown dog named Bella through the chilly morning mist outside Kyustendil, but there we were — boots muddy, noses twitching (well, mostly Bella’s). The air had this earthy sharpness, almost peppery when you knelt close to the ground. Ivan kept up a running commentary about truffle seasons and how his grandfather used to do this by instinct alone. I tried to look like I understood but honestly, I was just hoping Bella would find something before my knees gave out.

When she finally started digging — fast little paws flinging dirt everywhere — Ivan crouched beside her and gently unearthed what looked like a lump of coal. “Black diamond,” he said, holding it out for us to smell. It was musky and rich, not at all like the bottled stuff back home. We wandered back toward the farmhouse, hands cold but spirits high (I think the prospect of lunch helped). Inside, someone was already rolling out pasta dough on a wooden board dusted with flour. The kitchen smelled like butter and garlic and something deeper — maybe anticipation? Or just hunger.

I lost track of time as we sat around the table. There was cherry rakia poured into tiny glasses (Ivan winked when he handed me mine), then handmade pasta tangled with cream sauce and shaved black truffle. The taste was… hard to describe — earthy but somehow light? Maybe it was just being there, eating together after tromping through mud. We laughed about my failed attempt at pronouncing “tuber melanosporum” (Li laughed hardest) and sipped local wine that tasted brighter than I expected. Coffee came with dessert; I barely remember what it was because I kept thinking about that first bite of truffle pasta.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Black truffle hunting and tasting

• Hunt for black winter truffles
• Learn about truffle cultivation
• Discover cooking with black truffles
• Enjoy fresh pasta with black truffle

Top questions

How long does the truffle hunting tour in Kyustendil last?

The truffle hunt itself takes about 60 minutes.

Is food included in the Kyustendil truffle hunting experience?

Yes, a three-course tasting menu featuring fresh truffles is included.

Are drinks provided during the tour?

Yes, Bulgarian wine, Angelove Cherry and Plum Rakia, water, coffee or tea are served with your meal.

Will there be a guide during the truffle hunt?

Yes, a local guide leads the truffle hunting tour and explains everything along the way.

What kind of food is served after the hunt?

You’ll have handmade pasta with truffle-infused cream sauce topped with fresh black truffles and parmesan cheese.

Is this tour suitable for vegetarians?

The main dish is vegetarian (pasta with cream sauce), but check ahead for full dietary details.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided black truffle hunt in Kyustendil’s hazelnut orchard led by locals with their trained dog; a three-course tasting menu featuring fresh black winter truffles; handmade pasta prepared on site; each course paired naturally with Bulgarian wine or house-made cherry and plum rakia; plus water on the table and coffee or tea served alongside dessert before you wander home full and happy.