When shopping for truffles, smell them to check their odor intensity and freshness. Truffles that have been stocked for a long time gradually lose their strong smell. Also, go for truffles that are well-textured, evenly shaped, blemish-free, and firm. Pick ingredients that go well with the truffles without diminishing their strong flavor. Here are some helpful tips on buying and storing truffles. Buying Truffle Ask the vendor or sales clerk to make a small slice out of the truffle so that you can view its meat and judge if it is in good condition. Choose truffles that have been cleaned. A truffle s dirt or cleanliness has nothing to do with its freshness, smell, and flavor. The edible part of the mushroom is just the fruit of the fungus, not the entirety of it. What you must be wary about when hunting truffle mushrooms is the false truffle type, which is not safe for human consumption. It can be tricky because this mushroom resembles the real ones. How Are They Located? , specifically in the Pacific Northwest, for commercial and recreational uses. There s also the pecan truffle that can be found only in pecan trees and are usually discarded by farmers. So far, the only use of truffles is in the field of culinary or food. These are used ad main ingredients or as garnishes to various dishes. These are mostly in Europe including Italy, France, Slovenia and Croatia; in the United including Washington and Oregon; in Asia mostly in some parts of the Middle East and in North Africa. In these areas, truffles which usually grow about 30 centimeters or approximately one foot are found under the ground. 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.