Here are some of the most common types of truffles that are being used in gourmet dishes: - the Oregon white truffle or Tuber oregonense and T. gibbosum found in the Pacific Northwest, from British Columbia to northern California and usually grow from February to June. - the Oregon brown truffle or the Leucangium brunneum which has an exterior with reddish-brown color along with a grayish mottled interior. You can barely tell them apart from genuine or edible truffles, as they strongly resemble each other, not to mention that false truffles outnumber the real ones. That being said, you must be extra careful when locating and collecting edible truffles. What makes truffle hunting all the more difficult is the fact that this mushroom variety grows underground. But let s focus on truffles as a mushroom. Aside from being expensive, what else do we know about them? Truffles are considered rare and a delicacy in some countries. Truffles are hypogeous mushrooms, meaning, they have to be dug out. But it is not the entire mushroom or fungi, the truffle is only the fruit. Summer black truffle - This truffle type may seem inferior to its winter counterpart, but it is still a palatable and flexible culinary wonder, so does other types of truffles. Usually harvested from May to August, summer black truffle is entirely a different species from the winter variety. It has a dark brown exterior and round crooked shape. Another in-demand truffle variety is the white winter truffle that features a tan, smooth exterior skin and a creamy white flesh. Also known as the Piedmont truffle or white diamond truffle, this mushroom tastes like garlic and smells sweeter than the black winter truffle. It is also more expensive than its better known brother because demand for it out numbers supply. If you are planning to cultivate truffles, then there are several things that you would have to consider. Host plants - There are truffle businesses, like the Garland, that do not only buy gourmet mushrooms and truffles, but they also sell inoculated trees to serve as host plants or trees for the mushrooms.