Selling for hundreds of dollars a pound wholesale, the so-called black diamonds are among the world’s most expensive fungus.

 

Richerenches means rich earth, and they are not kidding. This is truffle country. Nearly a third of France’s crop of black truffles goes through this town’s market, up to 180,000 US dollars in a single day.

 

"It’s a most important market of truffle in France, so if you want to buy some truffle, you have to be in Richerenches to buy something. So for the sellers is the same thing, if you want to sell well, they have to come here to Richerenches."

 

In winter, small towns of Provence are doing big business. A lot of local farmers moonlight as truffle hunters. And here, in the back seats of black luxury cars, France's truffle brokers reel and deal. One small bag equals hundreds of US dollars. It’s a cash business, no taxes.

 

France's gourmet food companies buy truffles from the brokers and ship many of them to restaurants in the United States and Japan.

 

The best truffles look like this, deep black with the lacing of white veins through them. While demand is high, the supply is shrinking. Fewer and fewer truffles are coming in but no one sure exactly why. Truffles grow under ground, around tree roots, but they are fickle. Agriculture, development, weather and deforestation are just some of the culprits blamed for the decline.

 

Jay is a trained sniffer dog. It takes a sensitive nose to find truffles. Not just any dog will do. Here’s how Jay does it.

 

For today at least there is no truffle shortage here. When the trufflers' prayers are answered, it’s a treat for everyone.