Fresh Black Winter Truffles (Australia)
Tuber melanosporum Vittad.Truffles are one of the most decadent foods in the world. They are incredibly difficult to find as well as highly sought-after, so much so that chefs around the world covet them for their powerful earthy flavor that adds luxury to any dish. Unable to simply farm them, truffles must be hunted for by well-trained hunters, with the help of their trusty hounds, in wooded areas in Europe as well as Australia, Argentina and Chile; though the specific areas are kept secret and fiercely guarded. Both beautiful and delicious, truffles can be cooked into a risotto, shaved on top of a simple dish of pasta, or even used to elevate scrambled eggs. In season, we receive several shipments of fresh truffles directly from our growers every week. Our truffles are always fresh!
Tuber Melanosporum, better known as the black winter truffle, is reputed throughout the world. More or less round in shape, the outer skin of black winter truffles is black and is covered in diamond shaped pyramids. The inside is a beautiful black with a hint of purple with distinctive white marbling. The black winter truffle owes its fame to the complexity of its flavor. The perfume may range from wet mushroom, hazelnut, chocolate to alcohol. Black winter truffles are available and in season from December to March (Northern Hemisphere) and from June to August (Southern Hemisphere).
Tuber melanosporum Vittad.
- Origin
- France, Italy, Spain, Australia, Argentina, Chile
- Season
- The ripening period is from December to April in France, Italy, Spain and from June to August in Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania.
- Shape
- More or less round
- Peridium, the skin
- Black and brown with diamond shaped pyramids
- Gleba, the flesh
- Black with a hint of purple and with distinctive white veins. Crunchy albeit soft
- Aroma
- Wet mushroom, Humus, Hazelnut, Chocolate, Strawberry, Alcohol
One ounce of fresh truffle serves 2 to 3 people. As truffles vary in size and shape, your order may include one or two truffles of varying weight.
More on this species in Our Truffles.
Some of your truffles will arrive with some condensation. This is normal and occurs when the truffle releases some of its moisture, which becomes trapped by its wrapping. The wrapping is composed of paper which aids in keeping the truffle fresh and prevents it from drying out during transport.
Once you receive your shipment, gently wrap the truffle in an absorbent paper and store in a dry and sealed container in the crisper compartment of the refrigerator (bottom drawer). The paper should be changed daily, and the container must be kept dry. Remove the truffle from the fridge, clean/brush it properly under a thin stream of water and enjoy it right away! Do not store truffles in rice. This will dry them out!
Truffles have a strong aroma, which will quickly be absorbed by any other food in the refrigerator, so it is important to store them in their own container. Alternatively, you can add eggs or butter in the container, which will result in truffle eggs and truffle butter!
For the best aroma and flavor experience, do not wait to enjoy your truffles. When properly stored in the fridge, fresh black winter truffles only have a shelf-life of about 5-7 days.
Items are prepared fresh and shipped directly from our truffle shop in Manhattan. We carefully pack fresh truffles with re-usable ice packs in insulated Styrofoam coolers marked perishable.
We ship perishable items via FedEx Overnight Monday-Friday. Additional charges are added at check out for Saturday deliveries. Non-perishable items are shipped via FedEx Ground Monday-Friday.
All orders placed after 2pm ET will be shipped the next day. Orders cannot be shipped to P.O. Boxes.
According to inventory, please allow us 1 to 3 business days to ship Fresh Truffles.
Truffle Season Alerts
White truffles are in. Join the list for exclusive offers through the season.