8 Truffles to Try on Your Trip to Italy

Truffle hunting in Italy is a fascinating and traditional practice that combines human expertise with the keen senses of specially trained dogs. The best truffles to try in Italy offer a fascinating journey into the country's diverse gastronomic landscape. While the Italian wild boasts over 100 truffle species, the list below showcases the main, treasured varieties that you will likely encounter on exclusive truffle tours and savor in dishes prepared by Italy's finest chefs and gourmets.

• Canine Companions: The search for these subterranean delicacies is led by truffle hunters accompanied by their loyal canine companions. Various breeds, including spaniels, beagles, and Malinois, are typically chosen for their ability to delicately uncover truffles without harming the delicate root structures of the trees where truffles grow.
• Ethical Foraging: Unlike the historical use of pigs, dogs are preferred as they do not consume the truffles, ensuring the preservation of the fungi and their delicate ecosystem.
• Immersive Experience: When visiting Italy on a luxury vacation, you can join expert truffle hunters and their dogs on truffle-hunting tours deep within the lush forests veiling the Italian peninsula.
• Festival Indulgence: Beyond the hunt, you can also immerse yourself in the truffle festivals to visit in Italy on vacation. These lively events are dedicated to tasting these decadent mushrooms in myriad culinary preparations.

Revered as the "white diamond" of the culinary world, the white truffle, specifically the white Piedmont variety, is one of the rarest and most expensive Italian truffle species. Its irregular, almost ethereal shape features a smooth, beige surface that subtly ages to a soft brown, hinting at the precious cargo within. What truly sets it apart is its extraordinary, intensely musky scent, richly infused with intoxicating notes of garlic, delicate honey, and creamy butter, a complex aroma that is both powerful and captivating. These elusive treasures grow symbiotically with the roots of oak, hazel, willow, beech, and poplar trees, typically maturing between September and November. This autumn window represents some of the absolute best times to visit the region on Northern Italy itineraries and tours, providing you the exclusive opportunity to experience this unparalleled luxury at its peak.

Where to Find Them

• Piedmont
• Tuscany
• Umbria
• Lazio

Why Try Them

Indulge in the unparalleled luxury and exquisite aroma of the "white diamond."

• Rarest and Most Expensive: Considered one of the rarest and most expensive truffle species globally, a true luxury delicacy.
• Iconic Aroma: Offers an incredibly complex and musky scent, famously combining notes of garlic, honey, and butter.
• Irregular Appearance: Features an irregular shape with a beige surface that ages to brown, reflecting its natural, wild growth.
• Symbiotic Relationship: Grows symbiotically with specific trees like oak, hazel, willow, beech, and poplar.
• Peak Season: Harvested from September to November, making autumn the absolute best time to visit northern Italy for this experience.
• Primary Regions: Most famously found in Piedmont (Alba being a key hub), Tuscany, Umbria, and Lazio.

The tartufo moscato is a distinctive black truffle variety immediately recognizable by its dark rind and a uniquely spicy, intense aroma reminiscent of fine Muscat wine, from which it derives its name. Its robust fragrance adds a complex layer to any dish, making it a favorite among chefs and connoisseurs seeking a pronounced truffle presence. The prime hunting season for tartufo moscato occurs between February and March, ensuring its peak flavor and aroma during these months. To taste its truly distinct profile, a visit to the Tuscan region during this period is highly recommended.

Where to Find Them

• Piedmont
• Tuscany
• Umbria
• Le Marche

Why Try Them

Explore the unique, wine-like aroma of this black truffle.

• Distinctive Aroma: Known for its spicy, intense aroma that evokes notes of Muscat wine, providing a unique sensory experience.
• Limited Season: Best harvested during February and March, ensuring you taste it at its prime.
• Regional Specialization: While found in Piedmont, Umbria, and Le Marche, it's particularly associated with the Tuscan region, which you can visit on our Classic Tuscany Itinerary.
• Culinary Application: Adds a sophisticated, aromatic depth to dishes, particularly those with rich, earthy flavors.
• Unique Profile: Offers a different flavor profile compared to other black truffles, appealing to connoisseurs.

The tartufo bianchetto, also known as the Marzuolo truffle, presents a smooth, elegant beige exterior that, at first glance, might be confused with the more renowned white truffle. However, this fascinating variety matures differently and possesses a distinct, though not overwhelmingly intense, scent of sharp garlic. Its subtle yet recognizable aroma makes it a culinary curiosity, offering a different dimension to truffle-infused dishes. It is best harvested between February and April, particularly abundant in Emilia-Romagna, making Zicasso’s Best of Luxury Emilia-Romagna in Two Weeks tour an ideal choice to truly reveal the nuanced depth of this unique mushroom's flavors.

Where to Find Them

• Emilia-Romagna
• Tuscany
• Umbria
• Marche
• Lazio
• Campania
• Molise

Why Try Them

Discover this fascinating truffle that bridges the gap between white and black varieties.

• Appearance: Features a smooth, beige exterior, often mistaken for a smaller white truffle.
• Distinct Aroma: Possesses a unique, sharp garlic scent that is recognizable, but not overly intense, setting it apart from other truffles.
• Spring Harvest: Best harvested between February and April, making it a highlight for spring culinary tours.
• Wide Distribution: Found across a broad range of regions, including Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Umbria, Marche, Lazio, Campania, and Molise.
• Regional Highlight: Emilia-Romagna is particularly known for this truffle, offering an excellent opportunity to explore its flavors.

The tartufo nero liscio is a rare and exceptional species of black truffle. It possesses an intriguing characteristic in that its aroma is remarkably similar to that of the highly prized white truffle, yet complemented by a more robust, distinctly garlicky flavor. This intense flavor lingers beautifully on the palate when skillfully incorporated into specific Italian dishes, making it a cherished ingredient for gourmet chefs seeking depth and persistence of taste. This elusive truffle is best picked during the late summer months, between August and September, with its primary habitat being the fertile lands of Piedmont. Exploring this region on Northern Italy tours and vacations during this harvest window will give you a rare chance to taste the powerful fungi.

Where to Find Them

• Piedmont

Why Try Them

Experience a rare black truffle with an aroma akin to its white counterpart.

• Rarity: Considered a rare species of black truffle, highly sought after by connoisseurs.
• Unique Aroma: Boasts an aroma similar to white truffles, offering an intriguing complexity.
• Robust Flavor: Provides a more robust, garlicky flavor that leaves a delightful lingering note in dishes.
• Limited Season: Best harvested between August and September, making it a summer-to-early-autumn specialty.
• Piedmont Focus: Primarily found in the Piedmont region, offering a unique tasting experience in the region.

The tartufo estivo is universally known as the summer truffle or scorzone. It is a more common black truffle celebrated for its approachable flavor profile and versatile culinary applications. It typically has a rounded shape with a dark brown to black, somewhat rough skin, and its interior reveals delightful fruity notes, often compared to those found in the Burgundy truffle. Its delicate scent bears a familiar resemblance to porcini mushrooms, making it an excellent introduction for those new to truffles. You can typically savor the ripest and most flavorful summer truffles in July.

Where to Find Them

• Tuscany
• Piedmont

Why Try Them

Enjoy the versatile and approachable flavors of Italy's common summer truffle.

• Common and Accessible: One of the most common black truffle species, making it widely available and a great entry point for truffle tasting.
• Fruity and Delicate: Features delightful fruity notes, similar to the Burgundy truffle, with a delicate scent akin to porcini mushrooms.
• Summer Season: Typically harvested in July, making it a highlight for summer culinary tours, especially in Tuscany.
• Culinary Versatility: Excellent for shaving over pasta, salads, eggs, or incorporating into sauces, adding a subtle truffle essence.
• Regional Presence: Abundant in Tuscany and Piedmont, which you can visit on a Pleasures of Piedmont: Wine, Truffles, and Celebration itinerary that will give you easy access to fresh truffles during their season.

The tartufo nero di fragno is commonly known as the winter scorzone. It is a black truffle variety distinguished by its dark flesh, which bears a visual resemblance to the Burgundy truffle. However, its true allure lies in its intense, pronounced hazelnut aroma, a unique characteristic that sets it apart from other black truffles and adds a rich, earthy complexity to dishes. These truffles are typically harvested from September through late December, though in some fortunate instances, they can be found until late January, extending the pleasure of their season. Beyond its widespread presence across Northern Italy, you can also savor this distinctive truffle in Molise on Southern Italy itineraries and tours.

Where to Find Them

• Umbria
• Piedmont
• Emilia-Romagna
• Tuscany
• Lazio
• Abruzzo
• Molise

Why Try Them

Discover the intense hazelnut aroma of this late-season black truffle.

• Distinct Aroma: Characterized by an intense hazelnut aroma, offering a unique and robust flavor profile.
• Visual Similarity: Its dark flesh is reminiscent of the Burgundy truffle, though its flavor is distinct.
• Extended Season: Harvested from September to late December, sometimes extending to late January, providing a longer window for enjoyment.
• Widespread but Special: Found across many regions, including Umbria, Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Lazio, Abruzzo, and Molise.
• Molise Highlight: Particularly prized and locally grown in Molise, offering a unique tasting experience.

The black truffle is known locally as tartufo nero pregiato or tartufo di norcia. It holds the esteemed position as the second-most commercially valuable truffle species in the world. It is easily identifiable by its rounded shape, a dark brown body, and rough black-brown skin. When unearthed, it emits a deeply complex and captivating aroma, reminiscent of damp undergrowth, with subtle hints of fresh strawberries and wet soil. This prized truffle, which you can savor on a Fine Wines of Tuscany and Central Italy Tour, typically forms a symbiotic relationship with oak, hazel, or hornbeam trees. It flourishes between November and mid-March, presenting an excellent window of opportunity to visit charming towns in Molise.

Where to Find Them

• Piedmont
• Marche
• Molise

Why Try Them

Savor the globally renowned and commercially valuable black truffle.

• Commercial Value: The second-most commercially valuable truffle species, indicating its prized status.
• Complex Aroma: Emits a rich aroma reminiscent of undergrowth, strawberries, and wet soil, offering a multi-faceted sensory experience.
• Symbiotic Growth: Typically grows with oak, hazel, or hornbeam trees, indicating specific forest environments.
• Peak Season: Best harvested between November and mid-March, making it a highlight for winter and early spring culinary tours.
• Regional Hubs: Primarily found in Piedmont, Marche, and Molise, offering excellent opportunities for tasting.

Often mistaken for the iconic black summer truffle due to its similar appearance, the black winter truffle possesses a distinct character. While its exterior may resemble other black varieties, its aroma is less pungent, yielding a wonderfully pleasant and remarkably smooth flavor that adds depth without overwhelming a dish. This highly prized truffle is meticulously sought after by hunters traversing the Italian landscape, typically between January and March. This makes Italy in winter one of the most opportune times to embark on a luxurious food tour of Italy, specifically curated to showcase the refined flavors of both black and white truffles at their peak.

Where to Find Them

• Umbria
• Piedmont
• Emilia-Romagna
• Tuscany
• Lazio
• Abruzzo
• Molise

Why Try Them

Discover the widespread appeal and refined taste of the black winter truffle.

• Widespread Availability: Found across numerous Central and Northern Italian regions, offering broad access.
• Peak Season: Harvested from January to March, making it a highlight of winter culinary tours in Italy.
• Refined Flavor: Offers a less pungent aroma and a pleasant, smooth flavor profile, making it highly versatile in gourmet dishes.
• Culinary Versatility: Perfect for shaving over pasta, risotto, eggs, or complementing meat dishes, enhancing flavors without dominating them.
• Luxury Experience: A cornerstone of high-end Italian cuisine during the colder months, promising an exquisite tasting experience.

Whether your ultimate desire is to embark on an exhilarating truffle-hunting tour across the emerald hills of Umbria, guided by seasoned hunters and their expert canines, or to indulge in the rich, complex flavors of truffle-infused cuisine in the gastronomic heart of Bologna, Italy offers a glorious journey into the world of this revered fungi. Each truffle variety presents a unique sensory experience, reflecting the diverse landscapes and culinary traditions of the Italian peninsula.

Find inspiration for your trip and savor the very best truffles Italy has to offer on our bespoke Italy food and wine tours. We meticulously craft itineraries that connect you with authentic local experiences, from exclusive hunts to gourmet tastings. If you wish to delve deeper into Italy’s breathtaking regions and their renowned culinary traditions, explore our comprehensive Italy food and wine travel guide.