A truffle (not to be confused with the chocolate treat) is a type of fungi that is found on the roots of trees. Unlike the common mushroom varieties, truffles grow entirely underground on the roots of trees.  truffles vs mushrooms   According to Sabrina Notarnicola, vice president of marketing at Urbani Truffles, they are “primarily found in Italy, they can be found in similar Mediterranean climates around the world.” There are several species of truffles but the most common edible varieties are black truffles (Tuber melanosporum) or white truffles (Tuber mangnatum). Europe produces the most valuable truffles (though there are truffle farms in North America and Australia).

Unless you’ve had them, it’s hard to describe what truffles taste like. Black truffles feature an earthy aroma and taste. White truffles have a more pungent smell and flavor. Real truffles have a short shelf life and are super expensive. These seasonal mushrooms differ from region to region depending on the climate and they mostly grow around the trees. Hunting real truffles is a labour intensive process and it is mostly done by using sniffer dogs. What’s more, even after digging them out, real truffles can turn pungent in smell in just five days. In fact, the process of growing truffles is equally different, while the host trees derive phosphorus from truffles, the truffles growing around the roots get glucose from the trees and during the time of harvest animals are used to dig up the luxurious mushrooms  truffles vs mushrooms .

When buying truffles, they can go for hundreds (even thousands!) of dollars per pound. Notarnicola says truffles grow best in moist environments and after a rain, large truffles can appear overnight. So what’s the deal with truffle cost? “Truffles have a high price point because nobody has been able to cultivate them,” Notarnicola says. “They are only found in the wild and are very seasonal.” Technically you can find different varieties of truffles at all times of the year depending on the growing location (i.e. black summer truffle, black winter truffle, etc.). You’ll find white truffles mostly in fall and winter, with their peak season in November and December.  truffles vs mushrooms .

Buy It: Black Summer Truffle ($79, Urbani Truffles)

So you got a black truffle, but what’s the best way to keep it fresh  psilocybe truffles ? Notarnicola says truffles (black or white) are best stored refrigerated, individually wrapped in a clean paper towel, and inside of an airtight container.  truffles vs mushrooms. . You might see some guides saying to store in rice (the dry rice grains wick the moisture from the truffles). truffles vs mushrooms , but don’t do this unless you are trying to infuse the truffle flavor into the rice. “Truffles are highly perishable, so by the time a truffle reaches a customer, they can expect anywhere from 3 to 7 days of ripeness,” Notarnicola says. “Each truffle is different, so this is a variable.” truffles vs mushrooms. ,  magic truffles usa