Formerly called Picoa carthusiana, this type of truffle is less common compared to the Oregon white truffles. These are not used regularly because they look like coals, with very dark appearance. It also has a very pungent and earthy odor once it is ripe. When used, this type of truffle is mixed with dishes with pineapple, ground almonds, Parmesan and chocolate as ingredients. There are only a few numbers of places in the world where this type of mushroom can be found including Europe France, Italy, Slovenia and Croatia. There are also other types found in the US, specifically in Oregon and Washington, as well as in Asia including Middle East and North Africa. Like other mushrooms, there are various types of truffles. They are low in calories but contain high amount of vegetable protein, chitin, iron, zinc, fiber, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Calcium, minerals, vitamins B and C are commonly found in several mushrooms. Truffles are different from other mushrooms since it is a hypogean or an underground mushroom. When dried, it has only about two to eight percent of fat which are mostly crude fat and lipid compounds such as fatty acids, sterols, phospholipids, glycerides and linoleic acid. 4. It is cholesterol free. This is probably the biggest health benefit of truffles. Through the years, cholesterol has been considered as of the risk factors of coronary heart conditions and other related diseases. These types include the White Truffles which are the most rare among the types of truffles; the Black Truffles, which is very expensive because it can only be found in an oak tree; the Chinese Truffles which are the most available type because it grows bountifully in China and are often being exported to various parts of the world; and the Summer Truffles, which have milder aroma compared to other winter truffle types. Instead, focus your search on oak, hazelnut, fir, beech, hickory, and eucalyptus trees. Soil quality - Truffles are abundant in warm and moist soils. You have better chances of locating truffles about a week or two after a heavy downpour. Animals - Rodents, chipmunks, and squirrels can be your road sign to finding a bunch of truffles.