Fresh truffles can be bought directly from specialist online shops, in delicatessens or at seasonal truffle markets. One of the main problems: even with good quality and a trustworthy trader, fresh stock keeps for only a few days — buy without using the truffle within a week and you have spent the money but rarely had the full pleasure.
Three questions before you buy
1. What is the botanical name? A serious trader does not just say "truffle" but Tuber magnatum, Tuber melanosporum, Tuber uncinatum or Tuber aestivum. That way you know exactly which species you are acquiring — and can place the price.
2. When was it harvested? A truffle is highly perishable. Ideally it has been out of the ground 24 to 72 hours. Older stock means reduced aroma. Ask for the harvest date, not just the date of sale.
3. What is the daily price? Truffles do not have fixed prices but daily prices, which fluctuate strongly with the course of the season, the weather and the harvest volume. A good trader quotes current prices per unit weight transparently. An overview is available under Truffle prices.
Freshness check on the specimen
A fresh truffle is firm under light pressure and smells intense but never acridly of ammonia. The surface is dry; the cut surface shows a fine, marble-like vein pattern. Soft spots, a sweetly rotting smell or a slimy surface point to over-ripeness — walk away.
Sources of supply
Online traders
Specialist online shops dispatch freshly harvested truffles by express delivery. Look for vendors with clear provenance details, transparent pricing and a freshness guarantee.
Weekly markets and truffle fairs
In autumn and winter many European cities hold truffle fairs — the most famous is the Fiera del Tartufo in Alba. At these markets you buy directly from the hunters; you can smell, inspect and compare.
Direct from the hunter
In truffle regions — Périgord, Piedmont, Istria, Burgundy — truffle hunters occasionally sell direct. This is the freshest and often the cheapest variant, but it requires contacts and a measure of patience.
Saving money on truffles is the wrong end to economise on. Better seldom and good than often and disappointing.
After the purchase, every hour counts. Do read our storage guide before you put the truffle in the refrigerator.