Truffles vs. Mushrooms: All the Differences

Fall brings back two of the most earthy ingredients in the kitchen: truffles and mushrooms. Both are foraged, both are sought after, and both bring rich flavors to the table. They are not the same thing, though.

Truffles and mushrooms belong to the fungi kingdom, but they grow in different places, thrive in different climates and play different roles at the table. Think of them as distant (delicious) cousins.

Truffles

What they are

Truffles are tubers. The main varieties are white and black, and they change with the season. White truffles are typically harvested from the end of September to the beginning of January. The season for black truffles depends on the specific variety.

Where they grow

Truffles are rare culinary gold: they cannot be planted or tamed. They grow only underground, in wild forests, for a few months each year. They are found only in areas with the right terroir, typically moist, with warmer days and cooler nights. That is why northern and central Italy are known for a wealth of truffles.

How to eat them

Truffles are fungi, but don't treat them like mushrooms you fry, boil or bake. Cooking destroys the characteristic flavor and aroma that make the truffle a delicacy. Our chefs shave fresh truffle over pasta, risotto or egg dishes for an elegant twist.

When fresh truffles are out of season, pantry products such as truffle butters, salts and sauces fill in. Select Italian producers have mastered the art of preserving the truffle.

How they taste

The earthy flavors — even aromas — of truffles are renowned across the world. White winter truffles are especially prized for their pungent flavor with notes of shallot.

Mushrooms

What they are

Mushrooms are the fruit of fungi. There are more than 38,000 varieties, but only about 20 species are edible.

Where they grow

The real question is where they do not grow. Unlike truffles, mushrooms grow above ground in a variety of environments. They pop up everywhere in the wild, and they are easy to cultivate.

How to eat them

Mushrooms are versatile: most can be eaten raw, sautéed, baked or grilled. Excellent on their own, they also stand up to heartier dishes like beef. Simple dishes such as pasta, risotto and polenta let their flavors lead.

Mushrooms preserve easily too, whole in olive oil, blended into sauces or even combined with truffles, so they work in any season.

How they taste

Every variety tastes different, but mushrooms are especially celebrated for their savory umami quality. The woodsy, meat-like fungi tend to have a hearty, full-bodied flavor that suits fall.

Buon appetito.