For the ultimate foodie weekend, book your visit to Canberra this winter to attend the Canberra Truffle Festival and experience the prized black truffle from June to August.

How to experience black truffles in Canberra

Winter means truffle season in Canberra! The Truffle Festival Canberra Region, now in its ninth year, is a celebration of winter in Canberra and the region and highlights the harvest of the black truffle.

Canberra has the perfect climate for truffle growing, with cold winters and hot summers. Thanks to the popularity of the Canberra Truffle Festival, Australia’s capital city is becoming known as a top destination for truffle experiences in Australia.

During the truffle season in Canberra, you can experience truffles with a range of experiences and events, including cooking classes, truffle menus at many of the city’s cafes and restaurants, and more. See the talented truffle dogs search for and unearth this prized culinary delicacy at a truffle hunt. Book early, as these events often sell out. You can also speak with a grower at the local farmer’s markets and purchase fresh truffles to take home.

Make the most of Canberra Truffle Festival with hotel accommodation at Crowne Plaza Canberra. Book one of our Deluxe Rooms and wake up to a tranquil view of Glebe Park, feeling refreshed for a day of foodie experiences.

Save with our Advance Purchase offer, perfect for that Canberra winter getaway. 

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What are black truffles?

Black truffles or tuber melanosporum is a highly sought after fungus that grows in the root systems of specific trees, including oak, hazelnut and birch and is also known as Périgord truffle or French black truffle.

This gourmet delicacy is prized by chefs and foodies for the unique aroma and ability to enhance other foods. The flavour of truffles is intensified by heat, so truffles are best enjoyed when added to warm foods.

Fresh is best when it comes to truffles! As they will continue to lose flavour the longer they are stored, it is best to use truffles within five to seven days of harvesting. While the price of truffles is high, generally only a few grams per dish is needed.

It’s hard to describe the aroma and flavour of truffles, although they have often been described as being earthy, woody or similar to garlic or onions. You’ll have to try for yourself!

Cooking classes

If you haven’t cooked with black truffles before, you might not be sure of how to prepare them, what dishes benefit from the addition of truffles and how to make the most of using them in your cooking.

Why not try a truffle cooking class, that can help answer all your questions and give you some new recipes to try!

Foodish at Belconnen Markets is offering a Truffle Magic Cooking Class and Degustation on Sundays from 18 June at 12:30pm. Using the freshest truffles, you can try your hand at making a range of dishes and then by 2:30pm you will be sitting down to enjoy the meals for  lunch. The menu includes:

• • Pork, truffle and crab steamed dumplings
  • Pea emulsion, crisp beans and Asian herbs
  • Saffron, truffle & egg linguine with garlic-chilli prawns & shaved truffle
  • Soy caramelised scotch fillet with truffle beure blanc, fondant potatoes and a truffled spinach puree
  • Caramelised lemon tart with a truffle milk sorbet

The cost is $135 per person including paired wines. Book now online at Foodish.

From Saturday 17 June, you could book a spot for the Hunt then cook and lunch adventure at Turalla Truffles from 10am – 2pm.  The morning will start with a truffle hunt, then cook a delicious truffle inspired lunch. Turalla Truffles is located in Bungendore, around 30 minutes drive from Canberra’s CBD. Book directly with Turalla Truffles.

Truffle hunts

Truffle hunts are a great way to spend a Canberra winter morning. Watching the truffle dogs, who have been especially trained to search for truffles, is a lot of fun and so exciting when a truffle is found! You can be part of one of these events at a variety of truffle farms in the region. The truffle hunts are often followed by truffle tasting and a chance to chat with the growers.

The closest truffle farm to Canberra city is The Truffle Farm Canberra, which is offering a variety of truffle hunt experiences including a basic truffle hunt and tasting, a truffle hunt with degustation lunch and more. Visit The Truffle Festival, Canberra Region website to find out about other truffle hunts.

For a unique team building experience, or an invigorating way to start a day of business meetings, why not book a group truffle hunt. Click here to find out more.

Buy fresh truffles, meet the growers and market days

Head along to the Capital Region Farmers Markets on a Saturday morning during the Canberra Truffle Festival and have the chance to purchase some fresh truffles and truffle products and maybe have the chance to chat with one of the growers! While you’re there, enjoy a freshly brewed coffee while you browse the many stalls include fresh breads and pastries, fruit, vegetables, local honey, local olive oil and more.

At Westfield Belconnen on Saturday 24 June there will be a special truffle themed market day with cooking demonstrations by local chefs, market stalls, giveaways, food and wine tastings and more. Westfield Woden will hold a similar event on Saturday 22 July.

Dining

During the truffle season, restaurants and cafes across Canberra and the region offer a variety of truffle tasting experiences, from truffles shaved over a simple poached egg to a fine dining experience. Visit The Truffle Festival, Canberra Region online to find out what’s on.

Our own Redsalt Restaurant at Crowne Plaza Canberra will have a truffle menu available during June and July to celebrate the Canberra Truffle Festival, subject to availability of fresh truffle. Click here to view the menu.

Book your Canberra winter holiday now and save with our Advance Purchase offer. Find out more and book now or discover our other great accommodation packages. 

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Images: Top left – dining at Crowne Plaza Canberra, photographer Adam McGrath, HCreations. From top – 1: fresh black truffles at The Truffle Farm Canberra, photographer Lean Timms; 2: Redsalt Restaurant ©VisitCanberra; 3: Searching for truffles ©The Truffle Festival, Canberra Region; 4: Capital Region Farmers Market ©VisitCanberra; 5: dining at Crowne Plaza Canberra, photographer Adam McGrath.