Morels vs. Truffles

Written by Carrie Woodward
Updated: March 13, 2023
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Truffles are fungi, like mushrooms, but with their own distinct classification and history. Though truffles have been harvested and eaten throughout history, they have recently risen in popularity and gained a prominent place on the menus of many gourmet restaurants. However, you may not have heard quite so much about a related group of fungi: morels. When morels are mentioned, it is often in a recipe or cookbook where they are called “morel mushrooms.” However, this is actually an inaccurate label. Morels are more closely related to truffles than they are to mushrooms! 

This article compares and contrasts morels and truffles to help you understand what these two fungi groups have in common. You will learn how they are different and what they have in common. By the end, you should know how morels and truffles are classified, where each grows, and how to find them. You will also learn some of the ways that you can use these two in your own cooking. Let’s learn more about morels and truffles now!

Morels vs. Truffles

CharacteristicMorelsTruffles
SpeciesThere are about 80 species of morels in the genus Morchella.There are more than 180 truffles that have been identified. Many of these are inedible. Among the 180, there are only about 13 that have commercial cultivation use. Only about six are typically available to purchase.
GenusMorchellaTuber, as well as several other genera
ClassPezizomycetesPezizomycetes
DivisionAscomycotaAscomycota
KingdomFungiFungi
Common NameTrue morels, morelsTruffles
Origin Asia, Europe, North America and Central AmericaPrimarily Eurasia
Description of FungusMorels are species in the genus Morchella. Though sometimes called “morel mushrooms,” morels are more closely related to truffles. Morels are fleshy fruiting bodies of fungi, and are edible, though sometimes confused with the inedible “false morel” species. Morels have a recognizable honeycomb-looking exterior with concave holes and ridges. Morels are ectomycorrhizal fungi. This means that they live in a mutually-beneficial symbiotic relationship with plants.Truffles are the fruiting body of fungi that grow underground. Many truffles are in the genus Tuber. Truffles are also ectomycorrhizal fungi and exist in symbiosis with trees, whose roots they develop in the soil underground. What most people identify as truffle is the fruiting body of the fungus.

Descriptions of Morels vs. Truffles

Like mushrooms, both morels and truffles are part of the diverse, expansive fungi kingdom. All three groups include edible, fruiting bodies that can be harvested from the wild and eaten, as well as numerous inedible species. However, each group has different defining features and is classified separately from each other. Though truffles and morels are often called mushrooms, particularly in the world of gourmet cooking and fine dining, they actually have different taxonomic classifications. All three belong in the fungi kingdom, but that is where the differences begin. However, morels and truffles are more closely related to each other, as both belong to the Ascomycota division and Pezizomycetes class. 

While there are many thousands of mushroom species, which grow across the world, there are relatively few morel and truffle species. Morels and truffles also grow in a more limited geographic area and at times may be more difficult to obtain compared to plentiful mushroom species. While you may choose to include all three in your cooking, it is important to know the differences between them. Let’s start by describing morels and truffles before comparing and contrasting the two.

Morels are edible fungi

Both morels and truffles are edible fungi, but are often incorrectly labeled as “mushrooms.”

©ressormat/Shutterstock.com

Morels

Sometimes referred to as “morel mushrooms” or “true morels,” morels are species in the genus Morchella. This genus contains approximately 80 different species of morels. The morels harvested are the fruiting bodies of the fungi and are edible, and often sought after for their unique taste and texture. Morels have a unique exterior that looks similar to that of a honeycomb, with many holes and ridges. They range in color from brown to a deep black color and sometimes look like a shelled walnut because of their pitted caps. The shape of the morels also varies by species, with some species of morels having flat exteriors, while others look rounded or cup-shaped. Morels typically range in size from 2 to 12 inches tall. 

You can find morels growing in woodland environments of the Northern Hemisphere, including in parts of Asia, Europe, and North America. There, they appear near the edges of forests, they live in a mutually-beneficial symbiotic relationship with plants such as oak, elm, aspen, and ash trees. When morels first appear in early spring, they will be small – with caps as tiny as a little acorn. Later in the season, the morels may begin to peak out from underneath leaves and other forest debris.

A few of the most well-known morel species are Morchella elata, called the “black morel,” Morchella esculenta, the “common morel,” and Morchella deliciosa, the “late morel.” While morels are edible, they do have a few lookalikes that are toxic and should be identified by foragers to avoid accidental consumption.

Morels have a honeycomb exterior

Morels have a unique exterior that looks similar to that of a honeycomb, with many holes and ridges.

©Mircea Costina/Shutterstock.com

Truffles

Like morels, truffles are the fruiting body of different fungi species. The majority of truffles are in the genus Tuber, though some are in other genera. There are more identified species of truffles than known morels, with approximately 180 truffle species known. About nine or 10 of these are edible, though fewer are widely available. Like morels, truffles are ectomycorrhizal fungi. They have symbiotic relationships with trees, whose roots provide needed nutrients to the fungi.

However, unlike morels, truffles grow underground. There, they can be found growing in the roots of trees. Truffles are primarily native to parts of Europe and Asia, particularly the Middle East region, though there are some species that appear in North America and other parts of the world. Two particularly popular types of truffles are white truffles, which are from Italy, and black truffles, which originate in France. These two species grow in the chalky soil of their native European environments.

Truffles are relatively rare, expensive, and considered a delicacy in the world of gourmet cooking. Though originally they could only be gathered from the wild, truffles are now more commonly cultivated and harvested.

A few of the most common truffle species are Tuber melanosporum, the “black perigord truffle,” Tuber brumale, the “winter truffle,” and Tuber magnatum, the “white truffle.”

White truffle (Tuber magnatum)

Unlike morels, truffles grow underground and can be found growing in the roots of trees.

©iStock.com/vainillaychile

Key Differences Between Morels and Truffles

Just from those brief descriptions, you can gather that there are a few characteristics that morels and truffles share.

  • Both morels and truffles are ectomycorrhizal fungi, which grow in symbiosis with trees
  • Both are harvested from the wild to be consumed by humans
  • Both are native to parts of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East region

However, there are also some major differences between morels and truffles.

  • Morels grow above ground, while truffles grow below the ground
  • There are more species of truffles than there are morel species
  • All “true morels” in the genus Morchella are edible, while only a few truffle species are edible 

Let’s go a bit deeper in learning about differences in appearance, growing environment, taste, and use of morels and truffles now. 

Morels vs. Truffles: Appearance

The appearance of morels is one of the most unique aspects of this group of fungi. Though morels can have very different appearances depending on the species, one of their unique features is their exteriors’ deeply-pitted, ridged caps. This makes the outside texture of morel caps look like a walnut shell, with deep ridges and bumps, or even similar to a bee’s honeycomb, with big holes. Some morel species have bell-shaped caps. Others are egg-like in shape. Others are oblong. Morels also range in size from 2 to 12 inches tall. They can be brown, olive-colored, gray, yellowish-brown, or even dark gray or black. Morels grow singularly and in small clusters.

In contrast, truffles grow in round, lumpy shapes underground and are sometimes described as looking like potatoes. The size of a truffle varies depending on the species, with the smallest ones being very small and the largest growing to be as big as an orange or even a grapefruit. Like morels, truffles vary in color depending on the species, with some being off-white or sand-colored and others looking deep, rich brown. However, they are not as diverse in shape and typically look like hard, asymmetrical balls. 

Truffles are lumpy shapes that resemble potatoes

Truffles grow in round, lumpy shapes underground and are sometimes described as looking like potatoes.

©slowmotiongli/Shutterstock.com

Morels vs. Truffles: Scent and Taste

Many people describe truffles as tasting earthy and strong. Though they have a similar flavor to that of mushrooms, certain species of truffles have an even more robust flavor. Truffles are often used in smaller quantities as a result. One of the most common truffle species is the white truffle. The white truffle is a popular addition to dishes and has a flavor that is smooth but pungent. Their flavor is so strong that white truffles are usually used as a garnish or small flavor additive, often micro-planed on top of pasta or another dish. In comparison, another common truffle species, the black truffle, has a more mellow, earthy flavor, and so is more easily blended into sauces. These species of truffles were grown in Europe in the autumn months between October and November, with the different soils of regions of Europe influencing the flavor of the truffle when eaten.

Like truffles, morels are often described as having an earthy, mushroom-like flavor, but with a pleasant nuttiness as well. The flavor is typically not quite as strong as in truffles, so larger amounts of the morel can be eaten. In fact, entire morels may be cooked in a pan with oil or butter and eaten whole. You may also use morels in smaller quantities as garnishes on top of soups, salads, or sauces. Their texture is meaty and woodsy, and some say that the darker the morel, the stronger the flavor. Morels should always be cooked before you attempt to eat them, as raw ones may cause an upset stomach or other digestive distress.

Morels vs. Truffles: History and Cultivation

History and Cultivation of Morels

Mycologist Carl Linnaeus first recorded morels in the 1750s. In 1801, mycologist Elias Magnus Fries reclassified them. Morels have been cultivated successfully in controlled environments since the 1980s. However, scientists and farmers have not yet developed sure methods for commercial cultivation. Thus, morels are harvested from where they grow in the wild forest areas of the Northern Hemisphere.

Each year, foragers seek morels from the wild during the spring, searching grasslands, conifer and hardwood forests, and even mountainous and island regions. Occasionally, you can find morels growing in areas such as recently-burned woods, surrounding dead elm trees, or even near living apple or ash trees. If you would like to forage morels, look on the edges of wooded areas, particularly near dead or dying oak and aspen trees. Morels often thrive in moist areas such as grasslands or even flowerbeds, where they spring up in the spring season.

Because morels must be gathered from the wild, a single pound of morels can sell for hundreds of dollars. However, if you are interested in trying a unique morel, search at local groceries or farmers’ markets that feature local produce.

A Cluster of Fire Morels

Occasionally, you can find morels growing in areas such as recently-burned woods, surrounding dead elm trees.

©Pi-Lens/Shutterstock.com

History and Cultivation of Truffles

In the world of fine dining, truffles have an esteemed place as a delicacy. This status is because they are relatively rare and difficult to source. Not only is it a process to forage for wild truffles, but they do not retain their flavor for long after harvesting. They must be transported and used quickly. While truffle cultivation has gained popularity in recent years, they are only native to certain regions of the world, specifically Europe and Asia, where they grow in the wild. Due to these factors, truffles are often very expensive. Certain varieties can be hundreds or thousands of dollars per pound!

Historically, people sought out truffles by digging near the roots of woodland trees. Another method of retrieving truffles involved using sows to search and dig up truffles from the soil in the wild. This unique practice developed because the pheromone androstanol, which is present in truffles, attracts sows. Strangely enough, male pig saliva contains the sex hormone androstanol. However, this was a difficult process to control, since the sows would often devour the truffles before people could harvest them.

More recently, people began training and using dogs to sniff out truffles from the wild, and farmers have begun cultivating them too. However, as with morels, truffle cultivation is difficult. Harvesting and eating truffles require a unique combination of soil conditions, weather, and patience.

Dog truffle gathering

In recent times, people have trained dogs to sniff out truffles from the wild.

©slowmotiongli/Shutterstock.com

In Summary

As this article explained, morels and truffles are both members of the fungi kingdom and are related groups more similar to each other than they are to mushrooms. In the case of both morels and truffles, the edible parts are the fruiting bodies of the fungi. Culinary traditions incorporate both. Both grow in similar parts of the world — Europe and Asia, though morels also appear in North America and other countries in the Northern Hemisphere. Additionally, while all true morels are edible, only a few truffles are edible.

The photo featured at the top of this post is ©


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About the Author

Carrie is a writer and fan of all types of plants and animals. Her apartment is home to more than dozen different houseplants and she aspires to adopt more in the near future. You can find Carrie taking long walks or reading a book under the trees in the park.

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