Black winter truffle or summer truffle: what is the difference?
Published on 23 September 2026
Two different species are sold under the name black truffle: the black winter truffle (Tuber melanosporum) and the summer truffle (Tuber aestivum). They grow in different seasons and have different scents, and according to Italian truffle law, that difference is so significant that the law describes them separately.
The two side by side
| Black winter truffle | Summer truffle | |
|---|---|---|
| Latin name | Tuber melanosporum | Tuber aestivum |
| Harvest season in Italy | 15 November to 15 March | 1 May to 30 November |
| Flesh | Black-violet with fine white veins | Yellowish to bronze-colored |
| Scent according to law | Delicate and very pleasant | Light |
| Market price | A multiple of the summer truffle | The more affordable of the two |
Why the winter truffle is more expensive
The winter truffle ripens in the coldest months, grows in fewer regions, and yields less per hectare. Then there is the scent: it is fuller and lasts longer, even after heating. The summer truffle grows more widely and over a longer period of the year, and its scent is more subtle.
The price difference therefore says something about both rarity and scent. It says nothing about the quality of the jar you are holding; for that, you should look at the species, the percentage, and the aroma designation.
Which one to buy for what
The winter truffle is suitable for dishes in which it plays the leading role: simple pasta with butter, scrambled eggs, risotto, or a piece of meat. Its scent can carry a dish on its own.
The summer truffle is in its element where it plays a supporting role rather than dominating, and where you want to be able to use it more generously: a tapenade, a sauce, a carpaccio, or a salad.
What you see on the label
Look for the Latin name. If it only says "black truffle" or "tartufo nero," it could be either one. Next, look at the harvest month, because summer and autumn truffles are the same species in a different season, and check the aroma designation in the list of ingredients; you can read what that means in the aroma ladder.
For every product in our shop, you will see the species with its Latin name, the percentage of truffle, the harvest month, and the aroma designation listed side by side. So you can compare two jars on what is inside.