Truffles; you've probably heard of them before, right? But what are they, why are they such a big deal in Tuscany, how can you get your hands on them, and how can you best enjoy them?
What are they?
Truffles are described as “the fruiting body of a subterranean Ascomycete fungus, predominantly one of the many species of the genus Tuber.” Essentially, they are a type of mushroom that are found in France, the United Kingdom, the United States, Spain, Sweden, New Zealand, Australia, Chile and South Africa. However, the most famous truffles in the world tend to be those from Italy and the area around San Miniato, in Tuscany, in particular.