There are also other types of Chinese Truffles including the tuber melanosporum which are usually made into truffle extracts and is sold at a high price; the tuber himalayensis which looks very similar to the tuber melanosporum an is only harvested in the Chinese Himalayas; the tuber sinensis, which are also found in high places and the Chinese summer white truffle. Their sizes vary from that of a marble, golf ball, or a human fist. They also come in different colors, most of which are black, brown, and white. Are They Poisonous? Practically all truffle mushrooms are safe to eat, though only a few varieties are used as delicacies. The edible part of the mushroom is just the fruit of the fungus, not the entirety of it. These types include the White Truffles which are the most rare among the types of truffles; the Black Truffles, which is very expensive because it can only be found in an oak tree; the Chinese Truffles which are the most available type because it grows bountifully in China and are often being exported to various parts of the world; and the Summer Truffles, which have milder aroma compared to other winter truffle types. Finding truffles involves a hike in the woods. Is this your first time to do so? You will have to do research first. If you want to learn how to find truffles in the forest, read on the different techniques discussed below. 1. Know where to locate truffles Of course, not every forest has truffles underneath it. It is exactly the same species of truffles as the winter type, except that it is harvested in summer from January through April. It has a musky odor and a sweet taste with a little garlic-like flavor. The summer variety is cheaper than the winter variety, so it allows for more culinary consumption and experimentation. Timing is essential in harvesting, marketing and buying truffles. There are truffles like the black winter variety that is best bought during its peak season which is from February to March. Truffles have their own characteristics and colors which could change based on their age or maturity. For example, black truffles when still young would have red exterior color with the inside white instead of black.