Raffles has a thing for truffles. It’s a fragrance he can never get enough. So we aren’t all that surprised to see our wee whack-job on all fours, bum to the breeze, sniffing intently around the roots of a hazelnut tree.
While visiting Canberra for some family fun we found ourselves at Terra Preta Truffles with our BYO truffle pig to celebrate the Canberra Truffle Festival on a truffle hunt. It’s Bastille day eve so the perfect timing for hunting the delicious French Black Truffles that hide in the earth around us.
We’re greeted at the truffiere by the spectacular sight of an enormous slab of brie layered with wads of the prized black truffles.
We devour it greedily around a campfire-pit while Raffles is briefed by Kate & Peter, Terra Preta’s lovely trufflieres that there are dogs to do the sniffing and he can stick to the bi-pedal thing.
Dogs have almost entirely replaced pigs as truffle-hunters in modern times. Not only are pigs harder to train and tend to scoff their finds, it is alleged that the scent of the truffle make pigs a little frisky as it mimics that of a pig-in-heat. I’m pleased to meet the hounds because just personally, I prefer my truffles unmolested.
Before we enter the hazelnut grove we’ll need to walk through a lime tray (part of a biosecurity boot process in place to prevent contamination of the patch from foreign dirt) and we’re told not to make eye contact or interact with the dogs. Raffles is so excited at the prospect of the gastronomical treasure hunt he leaps into the lime tray and breaks into a wild dance.
As the hunt begins we keep our overexcited offspring a respectful distance as super truffle dog, Sal, a lovely Labrador Kelpie cross, and her young apprentice, Shadow, a Labrador Dachshund cross that resembles a mutant fur seal, sniff with doggy determination between the rows of hazelnut trees.
It takes no more than a minute before they’re patting at the ground enthusiastically.
Trufflier Kate beckons Raffles to join her and the hounds, handing him a trowel to dig up the first beautiful French black truffle of the day.
An unmistakable aroma fills the air as it comes up out of the ground and Mr Eats World and I swoon.
Raffles is so thrilled at the sight of the enormous potato shaped fungus that, if he were any other child, you’d think he’d dug up solid chocolate. But when it comes to food, Raffles is no ordinary kid and he’s already making cunning plans for the fragrant beauty, including the creation of a truffle saucisson and truffle roasted chook.
Over the next hour we all take our turn to dig up a truffle or two from the earth.
Except for Sugarpuff who is as happy hot-wiring a nearby tractor and filling her pockets with fallen hazelnuts that she dubs “fuffles”.
A bucket full of the real thing later and it’s time for the talented truffle hounds to be rewarded with cuddles from their adoring fans.
Finally allowed to have her way with the perky pups, Sugarpuff covers them in a hail of kisses and cuddles, which they return with doggy fervour. For her it’s the highlight of the day, and quite possibly her life. For Raffles, it’s digging for buried treasure. For Mr Eats World and I, it’s an amazing lunch of soup, scallop pies and ice cream all spiked with wads of truffles.
Seriously, truffle ice-cream! And it’s genius!
Hot spiced apple juice and truffle-studded marshmallows roasted on sticks over an open fire end a perfectly delicious day.
But it’s not over. Wrapped with as much care as a newborn, one of those truffles is coming home with us.
And, like Raffles and Sugarpuff before it, this little truffle too will end up residing in my belly for a time, only this time we won’t need a specialist to get it there.
An award-winning travel writer and photographer, Aleney de Winter was fresh from school when she first set off to explore the far reaches of Australia with a two-man tent and a beaten-up Kingswood for company. Three decades, and two kids later, and she's still on the go, with her itchy-footed offspring in tow. 
laurasmess
July 22, 2013 at 9:41 am (10 years ago)You are such a brilliant writer Aleney. I always feel like I’m going on a vivid journey with you when I read your posts. I’ve never seen IVF described in such blunt terms! You are completely right though… there’s nothing romantic about harvesting eggs to fertilise in a petri dish. I am so, so glad that you and Mr BEW had success with the process. I’ve got a couple of friends who have tried for years without making a little truffle. It’s heartbreaking. Your Sugarpuff and Raffleman are amazing little people; complete evidence of their parents’ passion and love. Huge admiration for Raffles’ love of truffles. I couldn’t stand the aroma when I was younger… he’s pretty advanced! Thanks for sharing the festival notes and your ‘family beginnings’ with us. P.S I want some of that brie!!!
BOYEATSWORLD
July 22, 2013 at 10:03 pm (10 years ago)Aww thanks, Laura. I always tried to handle the IVF years with 2 parts humour to 1 part brutal honesty. When I look at the two gorgeous rewards I have, I’m very grateful but there’s no point romanticising the way we got ’em! x
Jas@AbsolutelyJas
July 23, 2013 at 11:21 am (10 years ago)Oh my goodness, that Brie! So amazing that your little one not only knows what truffles are, but likes that pungent smell! Sounds like you are raising yourself a future masterchef 😉
BOYEATSWORLD
July 23, 2013 at 6:46 pm (10 years ago)I think it’s more likely he’ll grow up to be a food critic! 😉
cquek
July 23, 2013 at 9:50 pm (10 years ago)the kids are beautiful, they are having a good time.
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
July 24, 2013 at 12:31 pm (10 years ago)Aww and Raff is even more precious than a truffle! Such an interesting story about your journey with IVF 🙂
BOYEATSWORLD
July 31, 2013 at 10:14 am (10 years ago)Thanks Lorraine. He is pretty special 🙂
Go Camping Australia
July 26, 2013 at 9:54 am (10 years ago)I don’t know if I would know a truffle if I dug one up – it would look like a big clump of earth to me! Love to go and try this though.
BOYEATSWORLD
July 31, 2013 at 10:14 am (10 years ago)It’s hugely fun!
lybliss
July 26, 2013 at 10:43 am (10 years ago)Fantastic story! And as a fellow needle junkie with more experience than I care to remember of swollen ovaries and trigger injections, I think you’ve completely nailed that whole scenario. Love that little Raffles loves truffles- full circle xxx
BOYEATSWORLD
July 31, 2013 at 10:15 am (10 years ago)Thank you. Means a lot coming from a fellow baby battery farmer 🙂 x
Lisa@RandomActsOfZen
July 26, 2013 at 5:46 pm (10 years ago)I love Raffles’ passion about his food!! That food sounds glorious too 🙂
BOYEATSWORLD
July 31, 2013 at 10:11 am (10 years ago)Eating is his first love, Lisa. And. in a world full of eating disorders, I can’t help but encourage him. 🙂
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker
July 27, 2013 at 4:05 pm (10 years ago)Love Brie and truffles –sounds heavenly! But a truffle festival? Wow!
BOYEATSWORLD
July 31, 2013 at 10:10 am (10 years ago)It’s all kinds of awesome!
MrsD
July 28, 2013 at 12:36 pm (10 years ago)I can’t say I share your enthusiasm on the truffles but I just LOVE the way you write!!
BOYEATSWORLD
July 31, 2013 at 10:10 am (10 years ago)Aww thanks, honey. That’s so nice to hear x
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker
July 30, 2013 at 1:08 pm (10 years ago)Sounds fabulous and I’m so pleased that your truffle story has two happy endings!
PS. I’m still swooning over that brie photo.
BOYEATSWORLD
July 31, 2013 at 10:09 am (10 years ago)It was fabulous Amanda! And totally swoon worthy 🙂
Kim
August 6, 2013 at 4:59 pm (10 years ago)WOW that brie has me salivating over my keyboard. Your little truffle pigdog is the cutest little hunter that ever was, and I’m in awe of the incredible way you’ve described his degustatingly intense conception.
lizzygoodthings
August 12, 2013 at 6:54 pm (10 years ago)Love it!
inthetaratory
August 12, 2013 at 11:54 pm (10 years ago)Fabulous post! Loved the IVF story, too!
Bec Thexton
August 2, 2014 at 2:45 pm (9 years ago)What an amazing story! The truffle comes full circle! I am also going to dream of that brie tonight.
Bec x
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