Australia’s First Truffle Harvest
On the 18th June 1999, Perigord Truffles of Tasmania harvested Australia’s first French black truffle.
Late in the afternoon Co-Chairmen Peter Cooper
and Duncan Garvey were walking through one of the truffières in Northern
Tasmania when suddenly, their trained truffle dog started digging furiously
under a tree.
At the base of the hazelnut tree, covered by a thin layer of soil was a 25 gram truffle and Australia’s first truffle harvest.
Duncan Garvey, who along with partner Peter Cooper have been developing the industry in Tasmania for the past eight years said it was a totally overwhelming experience. "I picked it up and could even smell the perfume through the soil around it. It was the sweetest smell, one I will have forever."
The discovery represented the attainment of a key goal in the company's efforts to establish a successful new industry. French black truffles will add substantially to Australia’s stable of fine foods and beverages, capitalising on our growing reputation as a producer of some of the world’s finest fresh produce.