The Absolute Best Way To Store Fresh Truffles And Preserve Flavor

Truffles been becoming more accessible in the dining world in recent years with creations like truffle fries and truffle queso, but these earthy beauties are still considered luxury food items for a reason. Black winter (aka Perigord) truffles run in the ballpark of $800 per pound, while a pound of winter white truffles (aka Albas) will set you back several thousand. With this in mind, it becomes especially important to get the most mileage out of your truffles — which means proper storage is essential. 

Throwing away an unopened bag of spring mix for the fourth week in a row might be painful, but the prospect of tossing out a ruined truffle is even worse. To help your truffles stay flavorful and aromatic, wrap each one individually in a paper towel, then place the truffles in an airtight container in the fridge. A little maintenance is also called for to keep your musky morsels looking their best. Every day, change the paper towels and rewrap them to keep them dry. Take care not to let the temperature drop below standard refrigerator levels (at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit), and never stick them in the freezer. Freezing makes a truffle lose its signature scent and retain moisture.

The best way to enjoy a fresh truffle is within two or three days after foraging. But, if this timeframe simply isn't in the cards, then maintaining proper storage is the next best thing. You may have heard the rumor that the best way to store truffles is in a bag of rice — but don't do this. While this technique works well for older, already dried-out truffles,  popping fresh new truffles in a bag of rice will suck out the moisture too quickly. Rice will also absorb the aroma, which is kind of the whole point of the truffle-eating experience. 

Take care not to position your truffle container next to more impressionable foods in your fridge. In close proximity, your arugula (or worse, your yogurt) is going to soak up that pungent truffle scent. And, like most produce, if your truffle smells bad then, unfortunately, it probably is past its prime, and you should discard it to be safe.