Mastering The Different Truffle Seasons

Truffles are highly seasonal, and their availability depends on both species and geography. Much like fresh produce, truffles are harvested at specific times of the year, when they reach peak maturity, aroma, and flavor. Understanding truffle seasons helps chefs, home cooks, and truffle lovers enjoy each variety at its very best. 

Below is a classification of the most globally significant truffle species - those prized for their culinary and economic importance. 

Black Summer Truffles (Tuber Aestivum) 

Season: May – September 
Price Range: $$
Black Summer Truffles are the lightest and most approachable of the truffle family. They offer subtle earthy notes with hints of hazelnut and mushroom, making them ideal for everyday luxury and warm-weather dishes. 

Burgundy Truffles (Tuber Uncinatum) 

Season: September – November 
Price Range: $$ 
Often considered the more aromatic cousin of the Black Summer Truffle, Burgundy Truffles are harvested in early fall. As the season progresses, their flavor deepens, delivering richer, more complex aromas that bridge the gap between summer and winter truffles. 


Black Winter Truffles (Tuber Melanosporum Vitt.) 

Season: November – March 
Price Range: $$$ 
Known as the “black diamond” of the culinary world, Black Winter Truffles are intensely aromatic with deep, earthy, and savory notes. This is the truffle most commonly associated with classic French and Italian winter cuisine and is at its peak during the colder months. 

White Truffles (Tuber Magnatum) 

Season: October – December 
Price Range: $$$$ 
White Truffles are the rarest and most luxurious of all truffles. Famous for their powerful aroma — often described as garlicky, musky, and intoxicating — they are never cooked and are best shaved fresh over simple dishes to let their fragrance shine.