Eat & Drink
By Melissa Walsh Photos Yanni
They’re ugly, they’re lumpy and intoxicating, and the most profitable legal crop you can grow. If you’ve ever watched a MasterChef episode you’ll know that I’m talking about truffles, that elusive element used with just a pinch, often finely shaved onto a dish, and served in the most exclusive restaurants.
trees were planted in March 2005, and I had to wait five years before I found a truffle. In the first year I found only one, but I was very excited; as I had proved that truffle could be grown in Red Hill.” continued next page...
When the cold winter mist sets over Red Hill, that’s when truffle hunters gather around to unearth the elusive truffle, the black gold of the hills. Thanks to truffle farmer, Jenny McAuley and her canine companion, Thomas, guests can experience firsthand a truffle hunt through the oak and hazelnut trees on her private truffiere that she established in 2005. “I have always loved mushrooms and loved mushroom hunting. I first heard about the mysterious fungus that grows underground and is wonderful to eat, when I was travelling in Italy in 2002. On returning to Australia I did some research and found out that truffle was being commercially grown in Tasmania. I visited a truffle farm in Tasmania and thought the conditions and soil were similar to my property at Red Hill. I knew a wide variety of fungus grew naturally on my property, so I decided to buy some trees and see if I could produce truffle,” says Jenny, who initially bought 320 trees, a mixture of oaks and hazelnuts. “It is very difficult to grow truffle. The soil requires careful qualities and has to be prepared to create the specific conditions in order for truffle to grow. My first June 2018
E ssence | 71
PENINSULA