Season:

/ September - November

Fresh Black Burgundy Truffles are not as pungent as the winter truffle. They still have a lot of flavor with a much smaller price tag. If you have avoided buying truffles because of the expense, you may wish to try the burgundy truffle. Since the burgundy truffle has also a delicate flavor and it’s better to shave them into thin slices on dishes to finish them.

Recommended uses: Toss with pasta; stir into a finished risotto dish; mix with olive oil to top bruschetta; fold into mashed potatoes; add to a butter sauce to finish fish,seafood, or chicken; shave over scrambled eggs or an omelet.

Season:

/ May - September

Fresh Black Summer Truffles have a mouthwatering sweetness, resembling hazelnut. Since the summer truffle has a more delicate flavor, it shouldn’t be used in dishes that are cooked. Like good extra-virgin olive oil, the heat will destroy the flavor. Instead, shave thin slices of the truffle onto dishes to finish them. A little goes a long way!

Recommended uses: Cut, mince and toss with pasta; stir into a finished risotto dish; mix with olive oil to top bruschetta; fold into mashed potatoes; add to a butter sauce, fish, seafood, or chicken; shave over scrambled eggs or an omelet.

Season:

/ November - March

The Black Winter Truffle grows slowly in the undergrowth throughout the winter. Black Truffles have a strong aroma resembling cocoa, licorice, hazelnuts and mint.

Recommended uses: Its most classic use is in a traditional sauce made by mixing the minced or chopped truffle to warm olive oil flavored with a hint of garlic, salt and ground pepper.

Season:

/ October - December

White Truffles come from the northern region of Italy. The flesh of the white truffle ranges from pale cream to brown with white marbling. Alba truffles have an aroma similar to deep-fried sunflower seeds and walnuts.

Recommended uses: The extremely refined flavor of the white truffles matches wonderfully with butter for dressing pasta and rice dishes.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Answered by our Partners at Sabatino Tartufi

WHAT ARE TRUFFLES?

Truffles have always been revered and date as far back as 1600 B.C. These special funghi are known as the “diamonds of the earth.” 
There are about 200 species of truffles. The most revered truffles are the Aestivum Vitt, Uncinatum, Magnatum Pico, and Melanosporum. Truffles follow the binomial system to best determine the species. These truffles are found in France, Italy, and Spain.

The White Truffle is found only in Italy. 
Truffles are ectomycorrihzal fungi. They live in a symbiotic (mutually beneficial) relationship with the roots of certain living trees. Most common trees that form truffles: Oak, Hazelnut, and Poplar.

WHEN DO THEY GROW?

This classification of global truffle species includes all the truffles of culinary and economic importance.

Black Summer Truffles (Tuber Aestivum) - $$
May-September

Burgundy Truffles (Tuber Uncinatum)- $$
September-November

Black Winter Truffles (Tuber Melanosporum Vitt) - $$$
November-March

White Truffles (Tuber Magnatum)  - $$$$
October-December

HOW DO I FIND TRUFFLES?

Truffles are difficult to find and very expensive as a result! In Europe, most truffles are collected in France and Italy.
Truffle hunters in Italy and France use mixed-breed dogs to sniff out truffles.
In Italy, truffle dogs are trained in several steps. First, the dog is taught to retrieve a rubber ball. Next, a small bit of smelly Gorgonzola cheese is substituted for the rubber ball. After the dog has learned to retrieve the cheese, the cheese is hidden, forcing the dog to sniff it out for a reward of food. Finally, a small truffle is substituted for the cheese. The dog is trained to fetch, then dig up the truffle.

HOW LONG DO TRUFFLES LAST?

Truffles are living organisms. They have a short shelf life. It is best to consume immediately. The Black Summer, Burgundy, and Black Winter have a longer shelf life (5-7 days) than the White Truffle (2-3 days). 

WHAT DO TRUFFLES PAIR WELL WITH?

Truffles go well with everything, such as seafood, meats, eggs, pasta, risotto, potatoes, and cream sauces. They best pair with dishes that are more subtle in flavor, to be able to pick up on the special truffle flavor.