Considered one of the world's most expensive delicacies, worth up to $3000 a kilo, truffles have been said to awaken "erotic and gastronomic ideas".

At Lowes Mount Truffiere truffle farm in Oberon, Col and Sue Roberts have hosted hunts for the culinary treasures over the past eight years.

"It's all about aroma," Mr Roberts said. "Black truffle, what we grow, has a characteristic range of aroma that can vary from a very sweet mushroom smell, through to something quite astringent. A truffle's aroma reflects the soil it grows in."

Over the weekend, Lowes Mount Truffiere hosted its final weekend for the truffle season.

"We called it the last because we can't guarantee we will be able to fill orders from now on, as the season drops off from the middle of August," Mr Roberts said.

Truffles grow during January and February, when the soil is warmest. As the soil temperature drops they begin to ripen, coming into full ripeness through July, and dropping off by the end of August.

Through the season the Oberon truffle farm hosts hunts, led by Mr Roberts and his two-year-old labrador Floyd, who was trained in the art of truffle hunting as a 9-week-old puppy.

"As a truffle ripens it gets very smelly, so the dogs can easily detect when it is ripe. He will indicate where he thinks the truffle is and I have to get down and use my nose and a gloved hand to determine where it is," he said.

"You want a dog with plenty of drive, but most dogs have the right nose to detect a truffle."