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
Also known as the fifth taste, this lesser-known flavor is savory and reminiscent of meat, broth, and fish. Black truffles evoke this taste, an almost buttery, garlicky, olivey, mushroomy, fragrance that's completely unique.
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.
Why is black truffle so expensive? ›
Truffles are difficult to find in the wild and therefore require more time and effort to harvest them which ultimately increases the cost. Additionally, truffles have been found to have numerous health benefits which make them all the more desirable.
How to cook with whole black truffles? ›
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.
Are black truffles healthy? ›
There can be various health benefits associated with eating both black and white truffles, including lowering cholesterol, preventing premature ageing, preventing heart disease and reducing inflammation. Once an ingredient reserved only for gourmet dishes, there are now plenty of ways to reap the benefits of truffle.
Can you eat black truffle by itself? ›
Unlike a fresh truffle, and because of its sterilisation, the preserved black truffle should never be eaten on its own or cold, and it cannot be sliced with a mandolin. It must simply be finely diced, then added to the dish. Another important aspect to think about it how much truffle to use.
What is the nickname for black truffles? ›
'Fragrant diamond', 'black pearl', 'shadowy lady', or even 'underground empress' – there is no shortage of nicknames to describe the exquisite intensity and the mysterious aura which has surrounded this venerated and condemned mushroom for centuries.
How long do black truffles last? ›
For fresh truffles to be enjoyed at their best, they should be consumed within 4 to 5 days. The autumn variety of the black truffle, Tuber uncinatum, can retain its flavour for up to two weeks, but the highest-quality white and black truffles are best enjoyed within a few days of delivery.
Can truffles be eaten 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 is the difference between a truffle and a black truffle? ›
White truffles distinguish themselves from black truffles by their rarity as they are more difficult to harvest due to their fragility. Furthermore, these white truffles cannot be cultivated and farmed like black truffles. This means suppliers must rely on truffle sources that they harvest in the wild.
Of the black truffles, the Perigord species is generally the most highly prized, and is most commonly found in the south of France.
What not to pair with truffle? ›
Avoid pairing truffles with ingredients that are too spicy or acidic–like citrus or tomato sauce–as these are likely to overpower the truffle's flavor.
Should you wash black truffle? ›
When it comes to how to clean truffles, there is at least one certain rule: do not use water or soap. Instead, remove any dirt with a soft brush. Pro tip: we learned firsthand that official truffle hunters often use a toothbrush.
Do black truffles grow in the US? ›
Of the hundreds of recorded truffle species, around seven are used for cooking, and of these, four can be found growing wild in Oregon: the Oregon winter white truffle (Tuber oregonense), the Oregon spring white truffle (Tuber gibbosum), the Oregon black truffle (Leucangium carthusianum), and the Oregon brown truffle ( ...
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.
How expensive is black truffle? ›
You can buy them in some specialty food shops and online; an ounce (which goes quite far) will run you between $50 and $100. If you're looking for a splurge to celebrate a special occasion, truffles are an excellent option.
Do you eat black truffles raw? ›
Black Truffles
You can eat the truffles raw, but they are also beautiful cooked or added to cooked dishes, in fact this can help enhance their flavour. The flavour of black truffles is rather different to the white truffle, it is strongly earthy with a garlicky, nutty, or even sweet taste.
What do black truffles 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.
