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Fresh Truffles Buying Guide

Albertina Roca
  |   January 16, 2015   |  

Have you been wondering where to find fresh truffles online? Our fresh truffle buying guide can help out. If you have any questions, also you can reach us through our online chat or over the phone.

These are literally worth more than their weight in gold. Haute cuisine chefs and restaurants swear this is the only way to enjoy the full flavor and the whole experience of gourmet truffles. But remember, they typically have a much bigger budget, so don’t despair if you can’t afford this luxury. Fresh truffles have to get to the consumer within days of harvesting, since they go bad and rot extremely quickly. This is why the price of fresh truffles is almost mind-boggling. Once they are harvested, they need to be delicately handles and shipped as soon as possible. Prime winter black truffles will run you anywhere from $700 to $3000 dollars a pound, depending on availability and type. This is also a seasonal product, so you have to keep that in mind when shopping for fresh truffles.

If you do decide to invest, remember that this is a highly perishable product, and it will need to be used almost as soon as you get it (don’t buy it Monday if your dinner party is on Friday or Saturday). Always try to use them the same day you receive them, or within three days at the very most (read on for storage directions). Look for truffles that are firm, and smooth; softness might indicate inner rot or worms.

Storage and Preparation

There are many different ways to preserve fresh truffles, depending on your needs, the kind of truffle, or you level of culinary expertise. These are the basic, most common methods to store and preserve fresh truffles; unless you are a truffle expert, I do not recommend trying to preserve fresh truffles yourself, or use butter, oil, wine, or fat, since novice truffle-philles might end up with a very expensive mushroom paste.

Bottom Line

With fresh truffles, stick to the basics, and always remember: less is more.

If NOT Cleaned and will be used immediately

Gently wash them with water and brush (best if with a vegetable brush, clean toothbrush or nail brush), and lightly pat dry with a paper towel.

If NOT Cleaned, and will NOT be used immediately

  • Do not wash or brush until the day of use
  • To delay their ripening wrap in an absorbent paper towel or cloth, and store in the back or vegetable drawer of the refrigerator. Change the paper once a day.
  • Alternatively, store in a jar of rice to absorb moisture and keep dry (plus the rice will absorb the truffle aroma and flavor, and will make a great risotto later).

If Previously Cleaned

  • Roll separately in an absorbent paper towel, paper bag, or absorbent cloth. Alternatively, store inside a jar or bag of rice. Change the paper towel every day, to absorb any moisture that may cause rot.
  • Store in the back of the refrigerator or the vegetable drawer.

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Author

Albertina Roca

Copywriter & Certified Cheese Addict

Meet Albertina, a seasoned food writing wordsmith and marketing creative split between the sizzling vibes of Miami and the charming streets of Buenos Aires. With a solid 20 years in the traditional and digital advertising world for the gourmet food industry, she’s mastered the art of making words as mouthwatering as the dishes they describe. She’s proudly been part of the Gourmet Food Store family (and its brands) since its very beginnings, and what a fun, flavor-packed journey it has been!

Highlights

Albertina's journey in copywriting is marked by a passion for creativity and a knack for connecting with audiences. Her expertise spans SEO-driven content that boosts visibility, engaging social media strategies that spark conversations, persuasive advertising campaigns that captivate, and heartfelt storytelling that resonates deeply.

Experience

With a diverse portfolio spanning numerous articles, blogs, and captivating content pieces, Albertina has left her mark on the industry. From informative guides to persuasive sales copy, her work not only informs but also inspires action.

Education and Background

Her journey began at Rutgers College, where she studied in History and Political Science, with a minor in English Lit. She honed her craft at The Miami Ad School in South Beach, where creativity and copy collided under the South Florida Sun. From the neon streets of South Beach to the tango beats of Buenos Aires, her pen dances with the rhythm of whatever gastronomic tales she gets to write at the time.

Currently savoring life in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she’s bilingual in English and Spanish, an avid reader, and cheese addict.

Her writing? Seasoned with creativity, spiced with experience, and garnished with a dash of wit.

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