Summer truffles (Tuber aestivum) are usually in season from April to mid-September. Truffles grow a few inches down in the earth, in symbiosis with the roots of hardwood trees like oaks, chestnut, hazelnut and hornbeam. The irregularly shaped knobby little spheres range in size from an inch or so across to over a pound (though truffles of that size are rare). Plucked from European markets at the height of their freshness, our truffles are immediately shipped stateside for your enjoyment. 

These beauties are similar in appearance to our black winter truffles, but with a lighter color, crunchier texture and a more delicate, somewhat floral flavor that is best enjoyed raw. Try them grated over pasta, risotto, eggs or cheese dishes, or use them to finish sauces.

Enhance the flavor of simply-seasoned grilled steaks by finishing them with a pat of butter topped with some freshly shaved summer truffle. Or shave fresh summer truffles over your favorite cream sauce and ravioli or risotto. Roast a whole rabbit or chicken, drizzle it with summer truffle sauce and serve with caramelized endives. Try serving whipped potatoes finished with a sprinkling of truffles, or our truffle butter and oil folded into mashed potatoes.

Storing truffles: Once a fresh truffle is out of the ground, it doesn’t keep long. To best preserve your truffle, wrap it in a paper towel, put in an airtight plastic container and set in the refrigerator. Do not clean the truffle until you are ready to use it. Avoid condensation and humidity which can cause rot. If you wish, store the truffle with eggs in the refrigerator to impart its flavor into the eggs. Be sure the shells are perfectly dry. Do not store in dried rice, as the rice dehydrates the truffle.

·          In season from April to September

·          Product of Central and Northern Italy and Spain

·          Sold as whole, intact pieces of 1 ounce apiece, on average

·          Store in the refrigerator and use within 2-3 days of receipt for best flavor

·          Gluten-free

D'Artagnan also stocks a selection of preserved truffle products, including whole summer truffles, summer truffle peelings and black winter truffle juice. All are made exclusively for D'Artagnan and are convenient for use all year-round.