A fresh truffle starts losing its aroma the moment it's pulled out of the ground. Nothing you do in your kitchen will stop that, but the right storage slows it down enough that you actually get to enjoy the truffle instead of watching it fade in the fridge.
Short-term storage: the fridge method
If you're planning to use your truffle within a week, this is the method to use.
Wrap the truffle loosely in a dry paper towel and place it in an airtight glass jar or container. Skip the plastic bag — it traps moisture, and moisture is what kills a truffle faster than time does. Keep the jar in the coldest part of your fridge, around 34–39°F (1–4°C), and swap the paper towel for a fresh, dry one every day. The truffle keeps releasing moisture overnight, and a damp towel sitting against it overnight is exactly what you're trying to avoid.
How long it lasts depends on the type. Black truffles hold up reasonably well, usually 5 to 6 days. White truffles are more delicate and start fading after 3 to 4 days, so if you've got a white truffle, plan to use it sooner rather than later.
One more thing worth knowing: if your truffle still has some of its dirt on it, it'll actually keep a little longer than one that's already been cleaned, sometimes close to 10 days if wrapped properly. That's because washing early introduces moisture the truffle doesn't need until you're ready to use it. So don't rinse it in advance — brush off the dirt with a soft brush right before you cook, not before you store it.
Long-term storage: freezing
If a week isn't enough time and you want to hold onto a truffle for months, freezing is really the only reliable option.
Clean and dry the truffle first, then wrap it tightly in foil and seal it in a freezer bag with as much air pressed out as possible. Frozen this way, it'll keep for up to six months. The catch is texture and aroma — freezing softens the truffle and mutes some of its fragrance compared to using it fresh, so this is more of a "better than nothing" option than a first choice. When you're ready to use it, don't thaw it first. Grate or shave it straight from frozen into whatever you're cooking.
Storing truffles in oil
There's a middle-ground option worth knowing about: covering a fresh truffle in neutral olive oil and keeping it in the fridge for up to two weeks. The oil forms a barrier against air, which slows moisture loss, and over those two weeks it picks up some of the truffle's flavor along the way — so you end up with a truffle and a jar of truffle-infused oil at the same time. It's a nice option if you want a bit more time than the standard fridge method gives you, without going all the way to the freezer. If you'd rather skip making it yourself, our black truffle oil and white truffle oil are already made this way.
A trick worth trying
Store your truffle in the same container as fresh eggs. Truffles are strongly aromatic, and the eggshell absorbs some of that scent, so by the time you've used the truffle, you're left with truffle-scented eggs to cook with too. Rice works the same way, though it takes longer to pick up much flavor.
What to avoid
Don't store a truffle in a plastic bag, don't wash it before storing, and don't freeze one you're planning to eat fresh within the week. All three shorten its life or dull its aroma faster than proper fridge storage would.
Frequently asked questions
How long do fresh truffles last once stored? Black truffles usually hold up for 5 to 6 days in the fridge, white truffles closer to 3 to 4 days. An unwashed truffle wrapped properly can sometimes stretch closer to 10 days.
Can I freeze a fresh truffle? Yes, if you need to keep it for months rather than days. Wrap it tightly, freeze it, and use it straight from frozen. Just know the texture and aroma won't be quite the same as fresh.
Do I need to wash a truffle before storing it? No. Leave the dirt on and clean it with a soft brush right before you use it. Washing early adds moisture the truffle doesn't need while it's sitting in your fridge.
Why does my truffle smell weaker after a few days? That's just how truffles work. The aroma fades gradually from the moment it's harvested, and storage only slows that process down, it doesn't stop it, which is why fresh truffles are best used within the first week.