What is a truffle?
Truffles are underground mushrooms, more or less round in shape, that grow in simbiosis with certain trees (oaks, poplars, hazelnut trees and certain pines). They prefer land sunny, rocky land that is sufficiently ventilated with a temperate climate, in particular the climate of Central Italy (from where the best truffle in the world originates!!)

Truffles are divided in 2 groups in relation to its exterior appearance:

White truffles: smooth exterior with a yellowish color.
Tuber magnatum Pico (The White Alba Truffle)
Season: October - end of December
Characteristics: It’s the most sought-after truffle because it grows exclusively in Italy. It is therefore absolutely Italian and in particular comes from the Piemonte region and from Central Italy.
It grows in simbiosis with poplars, oaks, and . It has an intense but pleasing aroma, superior to any other truffle.
IT MUST BE EATEN RAW - SHAVING IT INTO EXTREMELY THIN SLICES WITH A TRUFFLE SHAVER ON HOT DISHES.
Average retail price - $150 per ounce or $2,400 per pound.

Tuber Borchi Vittadini (in Italy known as the ‘Bianchetto’ or little white truffle)
Season: January 15 to end of April
Characteristics: It grows in simbiosis with oaks, pines and . It has a light, garlicky aroma but less strong as that of the prized Alba truffle.
IT MUST BE EATEN RAW - SHAVING IT INTO EXTREMELY THIN SLICES WITH A TRUFFLE SHAVER ON HOT DISHES. It can also be grated and dressed with olive oil and salt.
Excellent for broths and omlettes.
Average retail price - $500 per pound.

Black truffles: rough exterior texture with a brownish, dark color.
Tuber Melanosporum Vittadini (known as the Black Truffle of Norcia & Spoleto)
Season: November 15 - March 15
Characteristics: It’s the most sought-after of the black truffles. For many truffle lovers, it is no competition for the famous white truffle. It has been often called the ‘diamond of the table’. Found in the Italian regions of Umbria and Marche. It growns in simbiosis with various species of oak trees. It has a pleasing aroma and taste.
It is excellent once it has been made into a sauce and raw as well (with antipasti, first courses and second courses) and also used in fillings. It can also be used ‘raw’ - sliced very thin over dishes - but in this case more for garnish (this has a very dramatic affect when sliced over a dish while serving to the diner).
Average retail price - $1,150.00 per pound

Tuber Brunale Vittadini (Black Winter Truffle)
Season: November 15 - March 15
Origin: Central Italy
Characteristics: It grows in simbiosis with oaks, hazelnuts and beech trees. It has an intense, pleasing aroma and that is stronger than that of the summer black truffle. It is excellent once it has been made into a sauce and raw as well (with antipasti, first courses and second courses) and also used in fillings. It can also be used ‘raw’ - sliced very thin over dishes - but in this case more for garnish (this has a very dramatic affect when sliced over a dish while serving to the diner).
Average retail price - $500 - $1000 per pound

Tuber Aestivum (Summer Black Truffle or ‘scorzone’)
Season: May/June to September
Origin: Can be found in almost all of Italy but the best being that of Umbria in Central Italy.
Characteristics: It grows in simbiosis with oaks, hazelnuts and pine trees. It has a delicate taste and aroma and a lovely mushroom color.
It is great, once it has been made into a sauce, raw (sliced over antipasti, first courses and second courses) and in fillings. Can be sauteed with butter in hot first courses (pasta dishes). It can also be thinly sliced and added as a garnish to dishes.
Average retail price for whole truffle - $150 - $200 per pound. $99 per pound for the grated truffle

Note:
This truffle can often be found at lower prices but buyer beware. This is because they are found in regions like southern Italy, and in Yugoslavia, Northern Africa, and China which harvests a much less superior truffle - you can taste the difference!!)

If someone wants to know why the grated truffle is half the price tell them that the duty rate imposed on whole truffle is 100% (as opposed to 9% for the grated truffle)