What is the truffle season?
With the approach of the end of year festivities, the truffle is a must on the shelves of all specialist markets and delicatessens. Unique and of great value, it is essential to be aware of this exceptional product in order to acquire it in the best possible conditions by knowing its specific characteristics, particularly in terms of seasonality.
It is important to know that the entire production of truffles is highly regulated. The seasons for collecting truffles are fixed by law in order toavoid abuses (immature harvest, vandalism...) and to control marketing. However, no confusion should be made between the truffle harvesting period and its ripening phase.
Indeed, it is still possible to find the product when the regulatory season is over. All departments in France have their own climatic conditions and soil qualities. The ripening period of the truffles can therefore vary according to the region.
The different maturity periods of truffles:
For the Périgord black truffle , its ripening period is between 1 December and mid-March.
The Alba white truffle is particularly fond of humidity: almost impossible to find in France, it is mainly harvested in the north of Italy (Piedmont) from October 1st to December 31st.
The summer truffle likes calcareous soil and its season is very long: from May 1 to September 30.
The brumale truffle is close to the characteristics of the black truffle and therefore to its period of maturity.
Finally, the Burgundy grey truffle can be found in the regions of Burgundy, Franche-Comté, Champagne and Lorraine from 15 September to 31 January.