5 Reasons You Can't Miss Canberra's Truffle Season

Winter is truffle season in Canberra which makes it a fantastic time to visit the Australian capital. 

Each year between June and August, people flock to Canberra from all over to participate in the annual celebration of the culinary delight that is the truffle.

From the truffle hunting to delicious truffle meals, here are five of the top reasons to visit Canberra this truffle season.

The annual Canberra Truffle season is a winter highlight, promising fun, food and foraging. Truffle season brings visitors from interstate and overseas, all looking to get a bite—or two, or five—of the famous black winter truffle that is native to the region. 

With festivities running from June to August, there really is something for everyone. Whether you want to hunt for truffles, learn to cook with truffles, or simply just eat truffles, the Canberra truffle season celebrates the seasonality of this special ingredient.

Don your gumboots and brave the chilly winter air for a truffle hunt. There are numerous truffle farms across the region that open up their truffle hunts to the public, including Turalla Truffles and Blue Frog Truffles.

You'll get to join the local farmers and their truffle dogs, on a hands-on truffle hunt experience around their grounds as they search for and unearth these treasured gems. 

Want to bring your own pooch along for the weekend for some canine assistance when you visit a truffle farm?

The Mercure Canberra offers dedicated pet-friendly rooms with access to an enclosed garden. Let the Mercure Canberra spoil your pup with a package including pet bedding and food bowl in addition to overnight accommodation in a room that opens out to an enclosed garden, so your pet has space to roam freely.  

For a real paddock-to-plate experience, be sure to try some truffle dishes in the local restaurants. While Canberra is a foodie destination throughout the year, it really shines during truffle season. 

Enjoy a hearty meal at Agostinis or something new and innovative at Canberra's fine-dining Japanese restaurant Raku.

Inspired by the meals you're tasting during truffle season in Canberra? Want to learn more about truffle-infused food? The best way to master the art of truffles is by attending an experience at a local Canberra truffle farm. Try the The Truffle Farm for truffle hunt and decadent degustation experiences.

Now, we know you’ll be sad once your visit to Canberra during truffle season is over, but the good news is you can take a piece home with you.

While these little nuggets of gold may be a tad expensive, a little goes a long way. Whether you shave it into potato mash, scrambled eggs, pasta or risotto – truffles can make an average dish extraordinary. 

Need a little inspiration? We’ve together a simple truffle pasta recipe for you that is sure to wow any dinner guests.

Ingredients:

• 250g of fresh or dried fettuccine or tagliatelle
• Pinch of salt and pepper
• 1 garlic clove, crushed 
• 65g of truffles, shaved
• 100g of grated parmesan
• 50g of butter
  

Method:

1. Boil the pasta in a large pot, according to the packet instructions,
2. Melt the butter in a pan and add the garlic and ½ the truffle shavings,
3. Drain the pasta and add it to the butter and truffle, mixing well, 
4. Add salt and pepper, to taste,
5. Top with the grated parmesan and remaining shaved truffle 
6. Enjoy!