Fresh truffle keeps for about a week in the fridge — provided it is stored correctly. Three things matter: cold, dryness and a closed container.
Step by step
- Take the truffle out of its shipping packaging as soon as it arrives. The polystyrene box with ice packs is designed for transport, not for storage.
- Pat it dry. Don’t wash it — water speeds up spoilage. Remove soil with a soft brush only just before use.
- Wrap it in a dry tea towel or kitchen paper.
- Place it in a jar that can be sealed.
- Put it in the fridge, ideally at 2 to 4 °C.
- Change the cloth every day.
Why the cloth is changed daily
A truffle constantly releases moisture. If that moisture stays in the cloth, the tuber goes soft and starts to mould. A fresh cloth absorbs the moisture and keeps the surface dry. This one small step often decides whether a truffle lasts four days or eight.
The most common mistake: storing it in rice
A widespread tip is to keep truffles in a jar of rice. We advise against it. Rice draws moisture out of the truffle — and the aroma goes with the moisture. In the end the rice smells wonderful and the truffle tastes of very little. If you want to use the rice for a risotto afterwards, by all means do, but store the truffle separately.
How long does each truffle keep?
- Summer truffle (Tuber aestivum): about a week
- Burgundy truffle (Tuber uncinatum): about a week
- Périgord truffle (Tuber melanosporum): about a week
- White Alba truffle (Tuber magnatum): only a few days
White truffles lose their aroma much faster than black ones. Plan your purchase so that you use them within two to three days. Which variety is fresh when is shown in our seasonal calendar.
Can you freeze truffles?
Yes, but the result is a different product. Frozen truffle loses texture and part of its aroma. If you want to freeze it, shave or grate the truffle first and portion it. Then use it straight from the freezer without fully thawing it.
How can you tell a truffle is past its best?
A fresh truffle is firm and smells intense. If it turns soft or shrivelled, or develops white, fluffy patches, it should no longer be used. If the aroma has faded noticeably, it is still edible but of little culinary interest.
We ship our fresh truffles Tuesday to Thursday by DHL Express, chilled and bedded on wood shavings — so that they reach you just as they left our warehouse.