Are truffles a type of chocolate or a type of mushroom?

The truffle is a type of mushroom that grows in conjunction (symbiosis) with varities of oak trees. It grows underground and because it doesn’t break the surface, must be hunted using dogs or pigs to sniff it out. Fresh truffles are gathered from the late autumn until the end of winter. The two most prized are black type from the Perigord and Quercy regions of France and Italian white version usually found in the Piedmont region of northern Italy. Because it is considered so rare and so difficult to find, prices can range from…

Truffles can refer to two different things, depending on the context:

1. Chocolate Truffles: Chocolate truffles are small, round or irregularly shaped chocolate confections. They are typically made from a mixture of chocolate, cream, and sometimes butter, which is then shaped into balls and coated with cocoa powder, chopped nuts, or melted chocolate. They are a popular and decadent dessert treat.
2. Fungus Truffles: Fungus truffles are a type of underground mushroom that grow in association with the roots of certain trees, particularly oak and hazelnut trees. They have a strong, distinctive aroma and are highly valued in culinary applications. Truffle hunters, often using specially trained dogs or pigs, harvest these fungi.

The term "truffle" alone usually refers to the fungus, and when people are discussing chocolate truffles, they typically specify by saying "chocolate truffles." Both types of truffles are highly prized in the culinary world, but they are entirely different in terms of their ingredients, appearance, and flavor profiles.