truffle

Any of a group of underground fungi (see fungus), certain of which are highly valued as edible delicacies; in particular, the species Tuber melanosporum, generally found growing under oak trees. It is native to the Périgord region of France but is cultivated in other areas as well. It is rounded, blackish-brown, externally covered with warts, and has blackish flesh. (Order Tuberales.)

Dogs and pigs are traditionally used to sniff out truffles, but in 1990 an artificial ‘nose’ developed at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, England, proved more effective in tests in Bordeaux.