TRUFFLES IN CANTERBURY, NEW ZEALAND

Truffles or 'underground mushrooms' grow in and around the roots of a variety of trees, including hazel nut, oaks, and pines. While they are grown elsewhere in New Zealand, including in the Bay of Plenty and Hawke’s Bay, Canterbury is the only place where four varieties are grown: Périgord Black, Bianchetto, Burgundy and Winter Truffles. The region’s high ph, limestone-rich soils and sunshine hours allow truffles to thrive (they evolved in limestone-rich areas of Europe). There are more producers in North Canterbury than anywhere else in the country.

Why so expensive?

Yes, truffles are expensive – a small one can cost between $NZ60 and $70, but there is a reason. They are very hard to grow. Gavin and Anne Hulley, of Amuri Truffiere, planted their oak and hazelnut trees 20 years ago (in 1997) and got their first truffles in 2004. In 2016, they dug up a grand total of 16 kilograms from two hectares. It’s hard to tell when truffles are ready too, because once they’re dug up… they can’t go back in the ground.

Brew Moon Brewing Company, Amberley, North Canterbury

Kieran Mccauley and Belinda Gould opened the Brew Moon in Amberley in 2002 after moving back to New Zealand from California where they lived with their two boys and Belinda worked as a winemaker. Craft beer was just kicking off in the United States and the couple reasoned that the same would probably apply in New Zealand in the near future. Toby, their eldest son, joined the brewery team in 2015 to help with production. Oscar, their youngest, joined in 2016 to assist with marketing and sales. https:// brewmoon.co.nz/

Kings Truffles, Waipara, North Canterbury

Led by Jax Lee, Kings Truffles is a New Zealand leader in supplying fresh truffle direct from the source to top chefs and food connoisseurs alike. Like many family-orientated businesses, it is powered by passion, dedication and a dose of Kiwi ingenuity, otherwise known as the ‘number eight wire’ mentality. With over 6000 trees in the heart of Canterbury’s limestone country, and with 15 years of experience in the production and supply of the rare and luxurious delicacy, Kings Truffles is one of the largest trufflegrowing operations in New Zealand. Its knowledgeable staff also provide bespoke truffle hunts, truffle-infected seedlings and education to those interested in setting up their own truffière. https://www. kingstruffles.com/