Truffle hunting is an ancient tradition rooted in Roman times, when the Romans regarded truffles as a delicacy, and attributed their mysterious growth to divine forces. While truffles have been prized for millennia, the formal tradition of truffle hunting as we know it today likely began in the Middle Ages. 

Truffles are a type of subterranean fungus that grow symbiotically with the roots of certain trees, such as oaks, hazelnuts, and poplars; they thrive in calcareous soils and are highly valued for their rich, earthy aroma and flavor, which makes them a valued ingredient in gourmet cuisine. Found primarily in Europe, particularly in Italy and France, truffles are difficult to cultivate, adding to their rarity and high cost.