Truffles are found in the great wine regions of Italy and France. They come in two varities: black and the rarer white truffle found in the northern Italian area of Piedmont. These mushrooms grow under the ground and have a close relationship with oak trees. Dogs and occasionally pigs are used to locate truffles using their sense of smell.

Truffles are used to accent food and are usually shaved over pasta, risotto and other dishes. They are very expensive, literally hundreds of dollars a pound.