The approaching winter smells of cold forests, damp earth, and a set table. The 2025-2026 black truffle (Tuber melanosporum) season is already on the horizon, and with it, the annual ritual that connects nature and haute cuisine. At Sentidos Truferos, we offer you a complete guide—practical and sensory—to understand the when , the how , and the where : key maturation dates, buying and storage tips, pairing ideas, and dishes that respect the product, as well as a selection of events so you can experience the season firsthand.
Calendar and maturation: the pulse of winter
The season typically opens in November, when the first truffles appear, but it's between December and February that the black truffle reaches its aromatic and flavor peak. March serves as a natural epilogue: the harvest volume decreases and the aroma begins to soften. If you're looking for the most intense flavor, plan your shopping and menus for the middle of winter and reserve shaving the truffle until the end of cooking, using the residual heat of the dish and avoiding prolonged cooking that would dissipate the aroma.
To help you with your shopping and cooking, you can rely on our reference content. If you're planning your budget, shopping times, and uses, you should read our guide to black truffle prices and how to plan your purchase . If you'd like to start with a foolproof dish that's easy to make, here's hake with a side of mushrooms and truffled onion sauce —a classic that lets the black truffle shine in all its elegance.
Territories and character: why it tastes different here
Spain boasts limestone soils, abundant rainfall, and cold winters, all of which contribute to the slow and complex maturation of the black truffle . Aragon, Soria, and other inland regions have cultivated a truffle culture that extends beyond cultivation: dedicated retail markets, themed menus, and a value chain that prioritizes traceability. Continued quality and availability are expected in 2025-2026, weather permitting. For those seeking something fresh and aromatic without sacrificing lightness, a warm salad with black truffle is a perfect introduction; if you prefer to experience the raw truffle with its almost ethereal texture, beef carpaccio with black truffle is the ideal choice.
Price, demand and smart buying
A luxury and seasonal product, the black truffle experiences a unique balance each year between climate, supply, quality, and international demand. A rainy autumn and a well-defined winter usually favor availability; even so, its exclusivity maintains its premium status. To shop wisely, refer back to our price and planning guide and consider two purchases : one in December (for reunions and celebrations) and another in January or February (for peak aroma) for your signature dishes. If either of these purchases falls during the Christmas season, find inspiration in our Christmas recipes with black truffles : they respect tradition and elevate the result with a touch of haute cuisine.
Preserve and serve: when less is more
The greatness of the black truffle lies in its fleeting nature. Store it in a cool , breathable container and consume it soon . Avoid condensation and damp paper that softens the truffle; slice it just before serving, over the heat of the plate. In cold dishes—such as the aforementioned carpaccio —its aroma is preserved by serving it immediately. And if you're going to open a bottle, choose wisely: in our guide to pairing wine with black truffle, we explain styles, tannins, and aromatic profiles that complement it without competing.
Trends 2025-2026: From the living room to home
Last season already hinted at a direction that has solidified this year: less artifice, more experience . In the dining room, this translates to plated service with visible slicing, light broths, and precise cooking. At home, it's a natural adoption: slow-cooked eggs, light, creamy rice dishes, and soups that allow for slicing as a finishing touch. If you want to create a little "winter journey" in your kitchen, you could start with a warm salad , follow with a main course of truffled hake , and finish with a wine pairing to bring the experience to a harmonious close.
Truffle Agenda 2025-2026: Fairs, Markets and Conferences
Flavor is also experienced beyond the table. If you want to explore the region and learn from producers and chefs, take note of these events:
- FITRUF – Sarrión (Teruel) Black Truffle Monographic Fair . The 24th edition will be held on December 6, 7, and 8, 2025. It is a leading event in the sector, featuring exhibitors, tastings, and a technical and educational program. All information is available on the official Fitruf website : fitruf.es
- The Soria Truffle Fair in Abejar (Castilla y León) has announced its 23rd edition, to be held on February 14th and 15th, 2026. You can find updates and announcements on their channels, such as the Abejar Truffle Fair Facebook page and their account on X @AbejarTrufa .
- Trufforum Vic (Barcelona) . An international congress dedicated to the black truffle , with a professional program and educational activities. The 2026 dates are pending confirmation , but it is traditionally held in February ; you can follow the latest news on the Trufforum Vic website or in informative summaries like this preview from Escapada amb nens .
- Morella-Els Ports Truffle Festival (Castellón) . The 23rd Truffle Festival will be held from January 23 to March 15, 2026 in restaurants in Morella and the surrounding area, with menus dedicated to black truffles and complementary activities; see details on the official website of the Valencian Community .
- Graus (Huesca) : market and fair. In addition to the historic Truffle Market (with a 2024/2025 schedule: December 7, 14, and 28; January 11 and 25; February 8 and 22; March 8 and 15 ), Graus is also preparing its Truffle Fair for November 29 and 30, 2025. Check the Graus Tourism website – Truffle Market and the Graus Truffle Fair page for updates . For historical context and information on the provincial traveling format (TRUFA-te), you can read the Cadena SER radio report on the last season.
Tip for these outings: if your goal is to buy black truffles , confirm which exhibitors guarantee traceability and ask about quality control on-site (in Abejar, for example, it's traditional to allow you to check the truffles you've purchased). feriatrufasoria.es
A flavorful itinerary: December, January, February… and epilogue
Winter lends itself to being read in chapters. December is both prologue and celebration: a menu that opens with a warm salad , continues with truffled hake , and uses Christmas recipes to elevate classics. January smells of aromatic peaks: fewer ingredients, more intention; slow-cooked eggs and bespoke wine pairings . February demands texture and contrast: carpaccio allows you to savor the raw slice and refine the cut; if it coincides with your visit to Abejar , you'll understand the silence at the first bite. March closes with subtlety: small portions, lingering aromas, and the feeling of having enjoyed winter without haste, with respect.
For restaurants: dining room narrative and controlled costs
Anyone who manages a menu knows that black truffle demands precision and storytelling. It works very well to offer an aromatic snack (truffle butter and fine bread), a short broth served tableside with the truffle slice, a main course of lean protein, and a very mild dairy dessert with a hint of truffle. To align the pairing, refer back to the wine pairing guide ; for a starting point with an accessible technique and high acclaim, consider truffled hake and carpaccio . The truffle slices, presented tableside with a scale, not only guarantee a portion and a profit margin: they transform the meal into a memorable experience and justify the additional charge.
For home: simple pleasure, big story
At home, black truffle needs little: perfectly cooked ingredients, time, and a final touch. Those new to it often fall in love with eggs, potatoes, and a truffle shaving ; repeat customers find their go-to pairings in creamy rice dishes and perfectly cooked, juicy white fish . If you want to impress without overwhelming, start with a warm salad , save the carpaccio for a moment of absolute silence, and let the pairing guide guide your toast . When the holiday season draws to a close, return to your Christmas recipes to remember why this time of year tastes so much like conversation.
Closing the circle
Buy wisely, store with care, serve with respect. That's the triad that transforms black truffles into a complete experience. To make informed choices, remember the price and planning guide ; for simple cooking, return to truffled hake ; to start a menu with character, opt for a warm salad ; for raw excitement, try carpaccio ; and to harmonize it all, consult the pairing suggestions . When you want to elevate tradition with a touch of elegance, the Christmas recipes await you .
