While there are hundreds of species of truffles, only a few are choice edibles. At D’Artagnan we focus on three European varieties of black truffles: Tuber melanosporum, Tuber uncinatum and Tuber aestivum. You may know them better by their common names: black winter truffle, Burgundy truffle and summer truffle, respectively.
Read on for descriptions of each type of black truffle.
Black Winter Truffles
Tuber melanosporum, sometimes called the Perigord truffle, after the legendary truffles of the Perigord region of France. Tuber melanosporum does grow in other countries, so this moniker is somewhat misleading.
Season: The black winter truffle is found in the wild throughout Europe from November through February, though the season can vary slightly.
Recently, the black winter truffle has been successfully cultivated in Australia; since their winter is June through August, we can now enjoy winter truffles all summer.
Characteristics: Dark, robustly-veined flesh that appears almost black-purple, with the strongest flavor and aroma of all the black truffles. Notes of cocoa, earth, and tannins.
Culinary Uses:Slice paper-thin with a mandoline or truffle shaver. These thin shavings can be placed under the skin of a chicken, turkey, duck, or other game bird before roasting. Layer in a foie gras terrine, or try the classic recipe for Tournedos Rossini, a filet mignon with foie grasand truffles on top. Lay fresh slices on cooked beef, pork, or game meats like wild boar or venison.Grate truffles into wine or cream-based sauces, or shave them onto cooked pasta, scrambled eggs, or potato dishes. Or try our Black Truffle Ice Cream recipe, which is excellent for using black winter truffles in the summer, and makes an elegant finish to a special dinner.
Burgundy Truffles
The common name for Tuber uncinatum comes from the region famous for producing it: Burgundy, France. Though itgrows more widely than any other truffle species, from Spain to Eastern Europe, as far north as Sweden, and as far south as North Africa, it is often known simply as the “Burgundy truffle.”
Season: Harvested from September to December.
Characteristics: The Burgundy truffle has pointed, diamond-shaped “warts” on the skin. The flesh is a chocolate-brown color lighter than the winter truffle, with a more nuanced aroma and taste. Nutty notes, with caramel and hints of earth.
Culinary Uses: Burgundy truffles should be enjoyed raw, or slightly warm, shaved over pasta, risotto, potatoes, with cheese dishes, and creamy soups or sauces. Our easy recipe for truffle honey makes an unusual accompaniment for cheese or charcuterie.
Black Summer Truffles
Tuber aestivum, the mild summer truffle is at the other end of the spectrum from the intense black winter truffle. Found in central and northern Italy and Spain, especially common in Eastern Europe, and throughout Europe.
Season: Harvested from May to September.
Characteristics: Black on the outside, with pale flesh, ranging from cream to grey as the truffle matures. More delicate flavor than either the Burgundy or the black winter truffle. Notes of hazelnut and caramelized cream. Prized for their firm, crunchy texture, and bite.
Culinary Uses: Feel free to use liberally, as the summer truffle is less expensive than the other black truffles. Julienne and add to a salad. Shave thinly and serve raw or slightly warmed to protect the delicate flavor. Layer truffle flavors by using truffle butter or truffle oil in your recipe, and fresh shavings of summer truffle as an accent. Check our Truffle Garlic Mashed Potatoes recipe or Truffle Grits with Ham recipe for tasty examples.
Storing Truffles
Once a fresh truffle is out of the ground, it doesn’t keep long. To best preserve your truffle, wrap it in a paper towel, put in an airtight plastic container, and set it in the refrigerator. Do not clean the truffle until you are ready to use it. Avoid condensation and humidity which can cause rot. If you wish, store the truffle with eggs in the refrigerator to impart its flavor into the eggs. Be sure the shells are perfectly dry. Do not store in dried rice, as the rice dehydrates the truffle. Allow truffles to come to room temperature before using.
FAQs
Black truffle (Tuber melanosporum): Also known as Perigord truffles or French black truffles, black truffles are popular because they're more common (and therefore less pricey), and have a less pungent flavor than other truffles.
What are the benefits of eating black truffles? ›
They are low in calories and carbohydrates while being rich in dietary fiber. This means it supports digestion and promotes a feeling of fullness. Additionally, truffles contain important vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, and zinc.
Do black truffles grow in the US? ›
Truffles are difficult to find and very expensive as a result! In 1994, black truffles sold for $350 to $500 a pound. In the United States, edible truffles are collected in the forests of Oregon and Washington. In Europe, most truffles are collected in France and Italy.
How expensive are black truffles? ›
Everything You'd Better Know About the Black Truffles Price
The black truffle cost ranges from $1,000 to $2,000 per pound, depending on the season. Summer truffles are less expensive. The owner of Italtouch, Massimo Vidoni, argues that when you smell the black truffle, you feel its aroma in your throat.
What is a fun fact about black truffles? ›
Fact #2 Only black truffles are native to Australia
White truffles are smooth, musky and pungent, typically found in Italy, southern France and Croatia. Black truffles on the other hand, have a more subtle, nutty, earthy flavour, and are usually found in Australia, Europe and northern California.
Can you eat truffles raw? ›
Black truffles are peeled and can be used raw or lightly cooked, while white truffles are just carefully wiped and cleaned and should never be cooked. They have a unique, delicate taste and are usually sliced raw directly onto the dish.
What do truffles do to your body? ›
Truffles are a type of flavorful fungus commonly used in a variety of dishes. In addition to their distinct taste and aroma, truffles are also highly nutritious, rich in antioxidants and may possess antibacterial, anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties.
What is the best way to eat black truffles? ›
Lay fresh slices on cooked beef, pork, or game meats like wild boar or venison. Grate truffles into wine or cream-based sauces, or shave them onto cooked pasta, scrambled eggs, or potato dishes.
Do I need to peel black truffles? ›
Peel black truffles, saving the peel to flavor other dishes or to infuse olive oil, but use white truffles unpeeled. Grate truffles on a grater, or cut them into paper-thin slices, or shavings, with a vegetable peeler, a mandoline or a tool called a truffle slicer.
Can truffles go bad? ›
Knowing how to care for truffles is important to look after them. They will keep for 1 – 2 weeks if stored carefully. Truffles are typically more than 70% water and will naturally lose 2 or 3 % of their body weight per day (moisture), so if you wait too long, they will rot or dry-out.
Truffles: hard to forage but even harder to grow.
And because truffles are a weak fungi and require very specific nutrient, pH and moisture levels to thrive, after they start growing they can be easily displaced by stronger fungi during their four-t0-seven-year journey from germination to harvest.
What kind of dog hunts truffles? ›
Top 10 Dog Breeds for Truffle Hunting
- #1 Lagotto Romagnolo. ...
- #2 Springer Spaniel. ...
- #4 Poodle. ...
- #5 Belgian Malinois. ...
- #6 German Shepherd. ...
- #7 Golden Retriever. ...
- #8 Gordon Setter. ...
- #9 German Wire-Haired Pointer.
Black truffles are typically less intense than their white counterparts, but they still impart a distinct umami taste to dishes. With a dark exterior, they have a nutty, woody flavour and a strong, often pungent aroma.
How deep are black truffles? ›
Black truffles grow at a depth of 5 cm (2 in) to 50 cm (20 in) as ectomycorrhizae, preferably in loose calcareous soil, close to the roots of their plant symbionts. These include holm oaks, French oaks, hazel, cherry and other deciduous trees.
What does black truffle taste like? ›
Black truffles have a nutty, rich, deep flavor that is somewhat mushroomy with a decadent difference. While mushrooms and truffles are both fungi, truffles tend to taste more complex and suit a more sophisticated palate, hence their luxury and title as a delicacy.
Why is truffle so addictive? ›
Truffles are underground fungi that have a mycorrhizal relationship with the host tree where they grow. They flourish slightly beneath the surface of the earth, growing on the roots of different trees. Truffles are irresistible because their aroma is composed of chemicals that mimic mammalian reproductive pheromones.
Why can't you farm black truffles? ›
Truffles: hard to forage but even harder to grow.
And because truffles are a weak fungi and require very specific nutrient, pH and moisture levels to thrive, after they start growing they can be easily displaced by stronger fungi during their four-t0-seven-year journey from germination to harvest.
Which is more valuable white or black truffle? ›
In general, white truffles are more expensive than black truffles due to their rarity and the difficulty in finding them. White truffles are also more challenging to cultivate and have a shorter shelf life than black truffles, which contributes to their higher price point.
Are black truffles safe to eat? ›
If you wish to experience the wonderful umami flavours and aromas of fresh black and white truffles, buy small quantities and consume them within 5 days. From a food safety perspective, you can consume a fresh truffle after 14 days but this delicate natural treasure will deteriorate as soon as it's hunted.
