Types of Truffles

There are a myriad of different varieties of truffles in existence.

Did you know that truffle oil, the world over, is entirely synthetic?

“In terms of the different truffles around the world, the first thing to realise is that there are truffles and Truffles. Regardless of quality, truffles are strictly seasonal”

Also known as the ‘Black Diamond’, this is the most prized and valuable French truffle, which develops on the roots of slow-growing trees, such as oak or hazel. Its botanical name is Tuber melanosporum, but they are also referred to as ‘Perigord Black Truffles’, after the region in France where they grow in the wild. Known for their nutty, delicate yet intricate flavour, French truffles are only available in the European winter time (from early December to late January).

FRENCH BLACK WINTER TRUFFLES

These grow during the European summer time (not to be confused with summer truffles, see below) which is winter in Australia. This ‘New World truffle’ with its inverse harvest time has helped unlock truffles’ inaccessibility, beyond the usual seasonality that has helped shape their rarity. The Australian truffles are also Tuber melanosporum.

AUSTRALIAN TRUFFLES

One of the main issues the booming truffle business in China faces, according to various sources, is getting their particular variety of truffles (Tuber himalayensis) out of the country before they expire. They are known to be of powdery, poor quality, partly due to the export issues and also partly due to the soil quality and the unknown provenance. 

CHINA TRUFFLES

These are used as a substitute for the black winter truffle and as the name suggests, they are grown in (European) summer time. Tuber aestivum are paler in colour than the black winter truffle - see picture - and have a less intense aroma. They are harvested May to August. A large part of their market is now shared with the Australian truffle

SUMMER TRUFFLES

The white Italian Alba or Piedmont Truffle, technically referred to as Tuber magnatum, is also harvested during the winter and can never be cultivated. Be aware of the ‘whiteish truffle’ (Tuber borchii) which is a similar species, although smaller and less aromatic.

WHITE TRUFFLES

If we have held your attention this far down the page, you may be interested in our truffle-related reading list - click here for details