Truffles

Gladys Davidson (1919)

Black winter truffles are found in both summer and winter and can only be harvested in the wild. They are difficult to find, and specially trained pigs and dogs are often used to locate these fragrant fungi. The ancient Romans considered truffles luxurious to eat and believed they were imbued with aphrodisiacal powers. In the Middle Ages, truffles were considered sinful, and some called them ‘devil's dung.’ 

In Greek mythology, truffles were said to spring from the ground where Zeus hurled his thunderbolt. In other cultures, they were thought to have been made by witches. Throughout time, people have believed that truffles are magical and can grant wishes. It is said that only those with pure hearts can locate wild truffles. 

19th Century Engraving of a truffle collector