3 Ways To Find Truffles - WikiHow

Home » Where Do Truffles Grow Map » 3 Ways To Find Truffles - WikiHow

Maybe your like

Skip to ContentQuizzes
  • Home
  • Random
  • Browse Articles
  • Quizzes & Games
  • All QuizzesHot
  • Love Quizzes
  • Personality Quizzes
  • Fun Games
  • Dating Simulator
  • Learn Something New
  • Forums
  • Courses
  • Happiness Hub
  • Explore More
  • Support wikiHow
  • About wikiHow
  • Log in / Sign up
Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow The Ultimate Guide to Truffles: How to Find, Cook, and Clean Them PDF download Download Article Harvest delicious truffles growing in your neck of the woods Co-authored by Cheyenne Main Reviewed by Ben Barkan

Last Updated: April 7, 2025 Fact Checked

PDF download Download Article
  • Where Truffles Grow
    • |
  • Hunting for Truffles
    • |
  • Identifying
    • |
  • Harvesting
    • |
  • Cleaning & Storing
    • |
  • Selling Truffles
    • |
  • Cooking with Truffles
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Warnings
|Show more |Show less X

This article was reviewed by Ben Barkan and by wikiHow staff writer, Cheyenne Main. Ben Barkan is a Garden and Landscape Designer and the Owner and Founder of HomeHarvest LLC, an edible landscapes and construction business based in Boston, Massachusetts. Ben has over 12 years of experience working with organic gardening and specializes in designing and building beautiful landscapes with custom construction and creative plant integration. He is a Certified Permaculture Designer, Licensed Construction Supervisor in Massachusetts, and a Licensed Home Improvement Contractor. He holds an associates degree in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. There are 22 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 190,528 times.

Truffles are rare, edible fungi that grow underground and have a distinct smell and taste that’s highly desired in the culinary world. While the most desirable truffles are most commonly found in the American Pacific Northwest, France, and Italy, wild truffles can be found all over the world. Whether you’re a chef in need of fantastic flavor or someone who wants to make extra money, we’ll tell you how to look for truffles, store them, sell them, and cook with them.

Where to Look for Truffles

Look in moist, warm forests 10 to 14 days after heavy rainfall. Search underneath beech, fir, oak, pine, hazelnut, hickory, birch, and eucalyptus trees for bare patches of dirt. Once you spot a darkened patch of soil, gently dig in the area with a trowel or hand rake to see if there are truffles underneath.

Steps

Section 1 of 7:

Where do truffles grow?

PDF download Download Article
  1. Popular truffles are found in West Europe and the Pacific Northwest. Popular truffles are found in West Europe and the Pacific Northwest. Truffles are found underground in moist, warm forests. While you may be lucky to find black, burgundy, or white truffles in other areas, you’re more likely to find them in Italy, France, Oregon, and Washington.[1]
    • However, countries like Chile, Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand have cultivated truffles on farms or orchards.[2] There are also truffle orchards in states like Missouri.[3]
    • Thousands of truffle species can be found throughout the world. Although no truffles are toxic, only a few are coveted for their strong flavor and aroma.[4]
    • The French black (Tuber melanosporum) and Italian white (Tuber magnatum) truffles are the most famous and expensive truffles.[5]
    • There are also native truffles that grow all over the world and are desired for their culinary qualities, like pecan truffles in North America.[6]
    2. Advertisement
Section 2 of 7:

Searching for Truffles in Your Area

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Search after heavy rainfall in forests where the soil is moist. 1 Search after heavy rainfall in forests where the soil is moist. Truffles thrive in moist soil, so hunt where the ground is often damp, just after there’s been a lot of rainy weather. For best results, search 10 to 14 days after a heavy rainfall has taken place.[7]
    • In the American midwest, truffles ripen from August to November.[8] Research the truffles most commonly found in your area to find out what seasons are best to start hunting.
  2. Step 2 Search under beech, fir, and oak trees. 2 Search under beech, fir, and oak trees. Trees that form ectomycorrhizal (symbiotic) relationships with fungi, such as beech, fir, and oak trees, must be present in order for truffles to grow because truffles attach to tree roots.[9] Pine, hazelnut, hickory, birch, and eucalyptus trees might also have truffles near them.[10]
    • Truffles share resources with these kinds of trees—truffles absorb water and nutrients that trees need, and trees have photosynthesizing leaves that make the food that truffles need.[11]
    • The kind of tree species truffles grow on depends on your area. In Oregon, they’re almost always found under Douglas fir trees.[12]
  3. Step 3 Look for darkened exposed dirt around the base of trees. 3 Look for darkened exposed dirt around the base of trees. As you hunt, look carefully at the ground to see if there are any trees without vegetation growing underneath them.[13] If truffles are present, a “brûlée” effect may make the ground look burnt, rough, and darker than surrounding areas because their existence prevents vegetation from growing.[14]
    • When you find these “brûlée” areas, start carefully digging in the dirt with a trowel or hand rake to find truffles.
    • Because tree roots can grow throughout a forest, truffles can be anywhere. While you hunt, look near rotting logs, abandoned roads, and in loose or compacted soil.[15]
  4. Step 4 Check for small holes in or around the dirt. 4 Check for small holes in or around the dirt. Look very carefully at the “brûlée” areas for small holes. This is a sign that rodents and other small mammals have been looking for the truffles.[16] Seeing a lot of these may mean that rodents smelled the truffles’ strong aroma and began digging to find and eat them.
    5. Advertisement
Section 3 of 7:

Identifying Truffles

PDF download Download Article
  1. Truffles look like round potato-shaped lumps. Truffles look like round potato-shaped lumps. There are thousands of different types of truffles that vary in size, but they’re most commonly black, white, or burgundy in color. You’ll know you’ve found a truffle when you find a lump underneath the ground that looks like a potato or chocolate truffle.[17]
    • Try to avoid eating a wild truffle or mushroom unless you or someone else has completely identified it. If you’re not sure what it is, wait to eat it until you do.[18]
    Gareth Renowden Gareth Renowden, Premier Truffle Grower

    Many people are surprised to learn that truffles can be found growing wild, as their spore-laden fruit forms below the ground rather than above.

Section 4 of 7:

Harvesting Truffles

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Dig truffles up with a rake. 1 Dig truffles up with a rake. When you’ve found an area that you think may contain truffles, use a rake with 3 to 5 tines to gently peel back the layers of soil. Most truffles will be 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 cm) deep. After raking, cover the soil back up to protect the roots of the tree and ensure there will be truffles there next season.[19]
    • Raking is the best way to hunt for truffles without a truffle dog or pig to help sniff them out. However, this method can pull up unripe or rotten truffles along with mature ones.[20]
  2. Step 2 Train a truffle dog to help you hunt. 2 Train a truffle dog to help you hunt. Dogs can be a major asset because they only seek out ripe truffles and won’t dig up rotten or inedible truffles. To train your own truffle dog, pair the scent of truffles with a treat. Once they associate truffles with a reward, hide ripe truffles in containers and bury them under trees for your dog to find.[21]
    • Truffle training is best for puppies or young dogs, and some breeds are better at finding them than others. Lagotto Romagnolo dogs are especially skilled at truffle-hunting.[22]
    • Pigs are also good at finding truffles, but they’re much more difficult to train and they often eat the truffles.[23]
  3. Step 3 Use an LED headlamp for nighttime truffle hunts. 3 Use an LED headlamp for nighttime truffle hunts. In the more popular searching areas in Italy or France, people dig all day every day hoping to find valuable truffles. If you want to search in one of these areas, consider searching during the night so that no one will be in your way. Simply put on an LED headlamp and get digging.[24]
    • If you take a truffle dog with you, make sure to attach an LED light to their collar.
  4. Step 4 Leave rotten and immature truffles in the ground. 4 Leave rotten and immature truffles in the ground. Mature truffles have a strong aroma and feel slightly spongy while rotting truffles are wet on the surface, feel very spongy, and may have a decaying smell.[25] When you find a truffle patch, try to only scoop up mature truffles that are ready to eat.[26]
    • Although truffles are non-toxic, they can make you sick if you eat bacteria or mold growing on them. If truffles are slimy, sticky, mushy, or smell bad, put them back in the ground.
    • Some underground mushrooms, like Scleroderma truffles, are false truffles that are poisonous.[27] If you open a truffle and it has a powdery spore inside, leave it on the ground.[28]
  5. Step 5 Note the location of the truffle patch so you can come back later. 5 Note the location of the truffle patch so you can come back later. Truffle patches keep producing fungi for a few years. Write down the GPS coordinates of the patch and what kind of truffles you found there so you can come back after the next rainfall.[29]
    6. Advertisement
Section 5 of 7:

Cleaning and Storing Your Truffles

PDF download Download Article
  1. Step 1 Brush off the dirt and put truffles in the fridge for up to 10 days. 1 Brush off the dirt and put truffles in the fridge for up to 10 days. As soon as you find a truffle, use an old toothbrush or mushroom brush to gently clean the dirt off the surface.[30] Put truffles in wax, cloth, or paper bags inside a cooler. When you get home, put them in an air-tight container with paper towels in the fridge.[31]
    • Most truffles will keep in the fridge for 10 days. White truffles last for around 5 days, while black truffles can stay ripe for about a week.[32]
    • Make sure the container has more air than truffles inside, and that no truffles touch each other. Replace the paper towels every 2 days.
    • Try to avoid storing truffles in plastic bags. This can cause them to rot, get slimy, or mold.[33]
    • Because washing truffles can decrease their shelf life, it’s best not to wash them until you’re ready to use them or freeze them.[34]
  2. Step 2 Wash and store your truffles in the freezer for up to 6 months. 2 Wash and store your truffles in the freezer for up to 6 months. To preserve your truffles for longer than about 10 days, wipe them with a damp brush or cloth and dry them with a cloth or paper towel. Put them in air-tight containers in the freezer.[35] Truffles will stay good for up to 6 months if kept frozen.[36]
    • When you’re ready to cook and eat them, cook them while they’re still frozen instead of thawing them out first.
    3. Advertisement
Section 6 of 7:

Selling Truffles

PDF download Download Article
  1. Sell your truffles to upscale restaurants. Sell your truffles to upscale restaurants. Truffles are a popular culinary delicacy that is highly demanded and desired in expensive, upscale restaurants. Immediately after you find truffles, email or call restaurants in nearby cities to see if the chefs are interested in purchasing yours.
    • The price of fresh truffles depends on the supply and demand, the species of truffle, and their quality.[37]
    • Italian White Alba truffles are the most expensive in the world and can be worth thousands of dollars a kilogram (2.2 lbs).[38]
    • Truffles are valuable because they’re seasonal, difficult to grow or find consistently, and take years to cultivate on farms.[39]
Section 7 of 7:

Cooking with Truffles

PDF download Download Article
  1. Shave the truffles over your favorite pasta, risotto, or meat dish. Shave the truffles over your favorite pasta, risotto, or meat dish. Truffles are best consumed in small doses, like a condiment. Thinly shave or grate your truffles over a finished meal.[40] You can also capture the truffle’s aroma by cooking the shavings in a fatty substance like butter, cream, cheese, egg yolks, or oil.[41]
    • White truffles have a delicate nutty flavor with hints of garlic, while black truffles are earthier and take like dark cocoa or licorice.[42]
    • Oregon truffles taste musty, like black olives or cocoa, and have a tropical undertone of banana or pineapple, which makes them great in desserts.[43]
    • Have your truffles identified by an expert before eating them.
    2. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search Add New Question
  • Question Can I find truffles in Northern Texas? Chris Chris Top Answerer Yes, a variety of truffle known as the pecan truffle can be found in parts of the southern United States, including Texas. These mushrooms are known to grow at the base of pecan trees, hence their name. There are three species of pecan truffle, and all of them taste quite different than the renowned white or black truffle. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 5 Helpful 10
  • Question Is it legal for me to search in the woods for truffles? Chris Chris Top Answerer Yes, it is perfectly legal in woods, so long as you are not trespassing on private property. It is also illegal to search for truffles in state or national parks. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 4 Helpful 13
  • Question What kind of dog should I get to help me find truffles? Linnie Linnie Top Answerer The lagotto romagnolo is known for being a great truffle-hunting dog. Other breeds that can be trained to find truffles include the springer spaniel, Belgian malinois, poodle, and several hound breeds. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 5 Helpful 5
See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Video

Tips

Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

  • Make sure your truffles are identified by an expert before consuming them. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Grow TrufflesHow toGrow Truffles Grow Truffles IndoorsHow toGrow Truffles Indoors Find Morel MushroomsHow toFind Morel Mushrooms Grow Edible MushroomsHow to Grow Edible Mushrooms at Home Pick MushroomsExpert-Approved Tips for Spotting and Picking Mushrooms Harvest Black WalnutsHow toHarvest Black Walnuts Harvest BlackcurrantsHow toHarvest Blackcurrants Plant a Walnut TreeHow toPlant a Walnut Tree Harvest Macadamia NutsHow toHarvest Macadamia Nuts Harvest OlivesWhen and How to Harvest Olives Identify Walnut TreesHow toIdentify Walnut Trees Harvest HazelnutsHow toHarvest Hazelnuts Grow Mushrooms IndoorsHow to Cultivate Mushrooms at Home: Everything You Need to Know Identify Edible MushroomsHow toIdentify Edible Mushrooms Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://www.usu.edu/herbarium/education/fun-facts-about-fungi/gold-in-the-soil
  2. ↑ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/how-truffles-took-root-around-the-world-180981011/
  3. ↑ https://extension.missouri.edu/media/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/Pub/pdf/agguides/agroforestry/af1015.pdf
  4. ↑ https://knowyourforest.org/sites/default/files/documents/Oregon_Native_Truffles.pdf
  5. ↑ https://knowyourforest.org/sites/default/files/documents/Oregon_Native_Truffles.pdf
  6. ↑ https://www.noble.org/regenerative-agriculture/add-income-with-pecan-truffles/
  7. ↑ https://youtu.be/oyXFVCOrOf8?t=40
  8. ↑ https://midwestmycology.org/tuber-canaliculatum/
  9. ↑ https://youtu.be/oyXFVCOrOf8?t=32
More References (34)
  1. ↑ https://www.usu.edu/herbarium/education/fun-facts-about-fungi/gold-in-the-soil
  2. ↑ https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Plants-and-Fungi/Truffles
  3. ↑ https://www.eatingwell.com/longform/7908898/oregon-truffles/
  4. ↑ https://academic.oup.com/femsec/article/80/1/1/600773?login=false
  5. ↑ https://www.susanalexander-truffles.com/truffle-hunting-where-to-start/
  6. ↑ https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/em-9369-oregon-native-edible-truffles
  7. ↑ https://www.portraitmagazine.com/hunting-for-oregon-truffles
  8. ↑ https://knowyourforest.org/sites/default/files/documents/Oregon_Native_Truffles.pdf
  9. ↑ https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/em-9369-oregon-native-edible-truffles
  10. ↑ https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/em-9369-oregon-native-edible-truffles
  11. ↑ https://www.eatingwell.com/longform/7908898/oregon-truffles/
  12. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/truffle-hunting-dogs-track-underground-treasure/
  13. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/truffle-hunting-dogs-track-underground-treasure/
  14. ↑ http://www.natruffling.org/faq.htm
  15. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/18/magazine/how-to-find-truffles.html
  16. ↑ https://knowyourforest.org/sites/default/files/documents/Oregon_Native_Truffles.pdf
  17. ↑ https://midwestmycology.org/tuber-canaliculatum/
  18. ↑ https://explore.beatymuseum.ubc.ca/mushroomsup/S_bovista.html
  19. ↑ https://midwestmycology.org/tuber-canaliculatum/
  20. ↑ https://midwestmycology.org/tuber-canaliculatum/
  21. ↑ https://midwestmycology.org/tuber-canaliculatum/
  22. ↑ https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/em-9369-oregon-native-edible-truffles
  23. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/ingredients/article/from-the-market-truffles
  24. ↑ https://www.usu.edu/herbarium/education/fun-facts-about-fungi/gold-in-the-soil
  25. ↑ https://knowyourforest.org/sites/default/files/documents/Oregon_Native_Truffles.pdf
  26. ↑ https://midwestmycology.org/tuber-canaliculatum/
  27. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/ingredients/article/from-the-market-truffles
  28. ↑ https://hospitalityinsights.ehl.edu/truffle-price
  29. ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/italian-white-truffles-are-the-world-most-expensive-truffles-alba-2022-1
  30. ↑ https://hospitalityinsights.ehl.edu/truffle-price
  31. ↑ https://www.foodandwine.com/what-are-truffles-and-how-to-cook-with-them-7089724
  32. ↑ https://extension.missouri.edu/media/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/Pub/pdf/agguides/agroforestry/af1015.pdf
  33. ↑ https://www.foodandwine.com/what-are-truffles-and-how-to-cook-with-them-7089724
  34. ↑ https://www.eatingwell.com/longform/7908898/oregon-truffles/

About This Article

Ben Barkan Reviewed by: Ben Barkan Garden & Landscape Designer This article was reviewed by Ben Barkan and by wikiHow staff writer, Cheyenne Main. Ben Barkan is a Garden and Landscape Designer and the Owner and Founder of HomeHarvest LLC, an edible landscapes and construction business based in Boston, Massachusetts. Ben has over 12 years of experience working with organic gardening and specializes in designing and building beautiful landscapes with custom construction and creative plant integration. He is a Certified Permaculture Designer, Licensed Construction Supervisor in Massachusetts, and a Licensed Home Improvement Contractor. He holds an associates degree in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. This article has been viewed 190,528 times. 2 votes - 100% Co-authors: 5 Updated: April 7, 2025 Views: 190,528 Categories: Planting and Growing Article SummaryX

To find truffles, search in western Europe or the Pacific Northwest, which is where they grow. They thrive in moist soil, so it's best to search for them 10-14 days after a heavy rainfall. Look for browning dirt and tiny holes at the bases of beech, fir, and oak trees, then use a rake to dig in locations that look promising. Ripe truffles might be black, white, or burgundy in color and they resemble tiny potatoes. To increase your chances of finding truffles, have your dog trained by a professional to sniff them out. To learn how to clean and store the truffles you find, keep reading the article! Did this summary help you?YesNo

In other languages German Dutch Indonesian
  • Print
  • Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 190,528 times.

Reader Success Stories

  • Yvon K.

    Yvon K.

    Oct 31, 2025

    "Thank you. This was the best information I found."
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Ben Barkan Reviewed by: Ben Barkan Garden & Landscape Designer Co-authors: 5 Updated: April 7, 2025 Views: 190,528 100% of readers found this article helpful. 2 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote Yvon K.

Yvon K.

Oct 31, 2025

"Thank you. This was the best information I found." Helen Sharpe

Helen Sharpe

Sep 25, 2020

"I was discussing with a colleague how he took his baby son with him when he went morel mushroom hunting. I have a..." more Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

Quizzes & Games

What Dog Breed Am I QuizWhat Dog Breed Am I QuizTake QuizObscure Dog Breed QuizObscure Dog Breed QuizTake QuizWhat Veggie Am I QuizWhat Veggie Am I QuizTake QuizWhat Food Am I QuizWhat Food Am I QuizTake QuizWhat Plant Am I QuizWhat Plant Am I QuizTake QuizHow Good Are My Survival Instincts QuizHow Good Are My Survival Instincts QuizTake Quiz

You Might Also Like

Grow TrufflesHow toGrow TrufflesGrow Truffles IndoorsHow toGrow Truffles IndoorsFind Morel MushroomsHow toFind Morel MushroomsGrow Edible MushroomsHow to Grow Edible Mushrooms at Home

Trending Articles

Accurate IQ Checker Quiz: How Smart Am I?Accurate IQ Checker Quiz: How Smart Am I?Am I Autistic QuizAm I Autistic QuizHow Sexual Am I QuizHow Sexual Am I QuizDiscover the Secret Meaning of Your First NameDiscover the Secret Meaning of Your First NameWhat's My Personality Based on My Song Choices QuizWhat's My Personality Based on My Song Choices QuizPractice KissingHow toPractice Kissing

Watch Articles

Amazing Super Bowl Party Ideas Guests Will Cheer ForAmazing Super Bowl Party Ideas Guests Will Cheer ForDevelop Listening SkillsHow toDevelop Listening SkillsNot Lose Your GirlfriendHow toNot Lose Your Girlfriend Draw an OwlHow to Draw an OwlTreat AllergiesHow toTreat AllergiesIntroduce Friends to Other FriendsHow toIntroduce Friends to Other Friends

Trending Articles

5 Different Types of Butts: Find Your Shape5 Different Types of Butts: Find Your ShapeWhat Would My Nickname Be QuizWhat Would My Nickname Be QuizCan We Guess How Tall You Are QuizCan We Guess How Tall You Are QuizCan We Guess If You're Single or Taken?Can We Guess If You're Single or Taken?Be PrettyHow toBe PrettyKissing Tips: The wikiHow Guide to the Perfect KissKissing Tips: The wikiHow Guide to the Perfect Kiss

Quizzes & Games

What's My Theriotype QuizWhat's My Theriotype QuizTake QuizWhat Squishmallow Am I QuizWhat Squishmallow Am I QuizTake QuizWhat Animal Am I QuizWhat Animal Am I QuizTake QuizGuess the Food QuizGuess the Food QuizTake QuizCan You Spot The False Climate Claims QuizCan You Spot The False Climate Claims QuizTake QuizGuess Where I Grew Up Based On Food QuizGuess Where I Grew Up Based On Food QuizTake Quiz wikiHow
  • Categories
  • Home and Garden
  • Gardening
  • Planting and Growing
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
  • Home
  • About wikiHow
  • Experts
  • Jobs
  • Contact Us
  • Site Map
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Info
  • Not Selling Info
  • Contribute

Follow Us

×

Get all the best how-tos!

Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter

Subscribe You're all set! X --787

Tag » Where Do Truffles Grow Map