Goldfields Getaway
31 May, 2022
Truffle treasures waiting to be unearthed
The Périgord truffle, or French black truffle, is one of most sought-after and luxurious edible fungi in the world – and they can be now found in Central Victoria. Black Cat Truffles, located in Wattle Flat, offers visitors the chance to hunt for...
The Périgord truffle, or French black truffle, is one of most sought-after and luxurious edible fungi in the world – and they can be now found in Central Victoria.
Black Cat Truffles, located in Wattle Flat, offers visitors the chance to hunt for truffles alongside expert truffle dogs within picturesque natural surroundings.
Hosts Kristen Simpson and Tom Eadie have been operating the business for the last two years, and have enjoyed developing it into a premium tourist destination that offers fun and educational winter activities for participants.
In addition to the hunts there are also truffle tastings, information sessions, and opportunities to savour the unique flavour of these highly-prized fungi on woodfired pizzas and in other delicious dishes.
Black winter truffles are the fruiting body of Tuber melanosporum. They are found underground in Black Cat’s truffiere - a truffle plantation comprising 1000 English and French oak trees inoculated with the fungus. Truffles are native to Southern Europe but now happily thrive in the property’s rich volcanic soil.
Truffles possess a pungent, musky aroma and a subtle but rich flavour. In cooking, they are used to enhance the taste of egg, meat, and fish dishes, as well as soups, risottos, and pizzas. Black Cat Truffles produces a variety of truffle products including oil, aioli and butter, which are an ideal way to incorporate them into your favourite dishes.
In 2021 Black Cat Truffles won the Regional Development Australia - Grampians “Eat Drink West Award’ offered by the Federation Business School and Commerce Ballarat, and were a semi-finalist in the ‘Regional Development Victoria Business Achievement Award’ category.
