The financial stakes are high as the knobbly, golf ball-sized fungus, which grows around the roots of oak, hazel and lime trees, is one of the most expensive foods in the world by weight.
Black French truffles, or 'tuber melanosporum', from the southwestern region of Perigord are known as "black diamonds" and sell for 500 euros (£412) per kilogramme (2.2 pounds) on average.
In comparison, the pale tuber indicum variety from China and the Himalayan foothills fetches only 30 euros (£25) a kilogramme.
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