NSW GROWN TRUFFLE SETS NEW RECORD

Photo credit: Andy Zakeli

NSW’s position as Australia’s number one State for food and wine tourism took another leap forward, with the announcement that Yelverton truffles in the NSW Southern Highlands has grown the biggest French Black Perigord truffle ever recorded in Australia, a feat confirmed by the Australian Truffle Growers Association.

Ted and Barbara Smith of Yelverton Truffles, located 1.5 hours’ drive from Sydney, were surprised and excited when they found a truffle weighing an impressive 630 grams, and even more astounded when they uncovered the record sized truffle weighing in at 1.172 kilograms.

"Our electronic scales only went to a kilo and failed,” Mr Smith said.

"We immediately jumped in the car and drove to our local post office as we knew they would have certified accurate scales. Being a small country village post office they are accustomed to some strange requests, but never to weigh a truffle!”

The previous Australian record stood at 1.084 kilograms, with the World record truffle in France weighing in at 1.3 kilograms.

Ted and Barbara say the record-breaking truffle has an excellent aroma and is free from defects. It sold on the open market with the proviso that it stay within the Southern Highlands region. Centennial Vineyards Restaurant purchased the truffle for between $2,000 and $3,000, and the Chef Robin Murray is dreaming up some fantastic menu options with his new star ingredient.

Yelverton Truffles produce French Black Perigord Truffles and are into their third harvest year. Truffle hunts are held throughout the harvest season between late May and August, and are proving to be very popular. For more information, visit www.yelvertontruffles.com.au.