Truffles are among the most expensive and prized delicacies on earth. A member of the fungi family, they are incredibly expensive because of their scarcity. In fact, it is not unheard of for large ones, which are extremely rare, to command six figure prices.

Typically roundish but lumpy in appearance, they have an intense flavor. They are typically used sparingly, due to their strong earthy flavor, but also because of their expense.

In Europe, specially-trained truffle dogs and pigs, both of which have a keen sense of smell, are used to locate mature truffles buried underground. The fungus that makes truffles can only survive and thrive in certain soil conditions and have symbiotic relationships with the roots of specific species of trees. The fungus attaches itself to a tree root, typically oak, beech, hazel or birch, and produce one truffle per year. The aroma and flavor of truffles differ, depending on the type of tree where they grew.

Prized truffles include the French black truffle, which is found in the Périgord region of southwest France. Italy is known for its white truffles, many of which are from the Piedmonte and Umbria regions.

Combining cake and chocolate truffles, this is the ultimate Valentine's Day dessert. The Chocolate Truffle Box Cake has a Bourbon vanilla cheesecake with a macadamia nut crust at its center and is surrounded by a white and dark chocolate box. Not just for decoration, the box lid actually comes off to reveal a layer of large chocolate truffles arranged in white chocolate "tissue paper." You have to eat or remove the truffles before getting to the cheesecake, which should not be too much of a sacrifice for a chocolate-lover, and you are unlikely to find a more well-presented cake anywhere. Price: $180.

There are a lot of expensive cocktails in the world, but there are none that use the not-so-secret ingredient that makes New York's Tini Ristorante's Truffletini so special. That ingredient, of course, is white truffle. The drink consists of Stoli peach and orange, Grand Marnier, and mango juice, shaken and then topped with a generous amount of white truffles shavings. The restaurant serves a small $95 version and a large $165 version, which comes in a 3-foot tall, 74-ounce glass that probably looks impressive but is difficult to drink from. Daniel, from NY Mag's Grub Street described it as tasting like " a creamsicle that's been rubbed down with garlic."

Yum - but I'll pass, all the same.

Although they look like small dolls or children's toys, these little Halloween characters are actually fancifully decorated chocolate truffles from teucher chocolates. The truffles are available either in champagne or "assorted" flavors, though the latter choice seems a little strange because the chocolates are sold individually. You can buy one to treat yourself, but they would make even better treats for adults at a Halloween party, since their packaging makes them seem fun, while the high-quality chocolate truffles will make even a chocolate connoisseur's mouth water. Price: $10 each.

One reason to drop in to Godiva this month is to try their Pumpkin Patch Truffles. Instead of just wrapping up chocolates in orange and black wrappers in a weak attempt at seasonality, the chocolatier goes all-out by creating a uniquely fall-flavored confection. The truffles have a pumpkin-spiced ganache center and are coated in a velvety milk chocolate. As a final touch, the truffles are lightly dusted with cinnamon before being wrapped up link miniature pumpkins - complete with tiny leaves. It's $12.50 for a 3.25-ounce package with five truffles.

Whether chocolates have ever before been as cute as the Country Critter Collection from Moonstruck Chocolates is difficult to say, but there have certainly been none as lovingly crafted or as delicious. Each of these critters - there are six in all - is hand rolled and decorated with precision. The truffles may look like the perfect gift for a child, but the flavors are very adult. The duck and the lamb are both filled with extra-bittersweet ganache, while the chick is a cinnamon-almond truffle. The cow is a milk chocolate truffle and the turkey is mocha-flavored. The pig, last but not least, has a toffee truffle filling. Price $30.