Question to Allan Hall Truffle Grower:-
How long have the trees been planted that are producing the Black Truffles?
Since Spring(NZ) 1988

Question to Dr Ian Hall Crop & Food Research:-
What are the most important conditions for Truffle growing? Soil / Climate or Type of Tree?
A great book is available from this page

Question to Alessandra Zambonelli:-
Do the New Zealand Truffles taste the same as Italian or French truffles?
Could you taste the difference in a blind tasting?
There was no difference in taste or flavour

Question to Anyone:-
Describe the Flavour...
Like Oyster - but different

Question to Ian Hall:-
Is Alan Hall your brother? Why is he the only truffiere to grow a truffle in NZ?
Well - dollars talk :-)
Actually many have already been planted and more are on the way, Alan's was one of the first - the other should start producing this year or next.

Question to Ian Hall:-
1) Will truffles be hunted in NZ by dogs, pigs and/or by "hit and miss"? Are there people in NZ who know how to train dogs and/or pigs to hunt for truffles?
The Kubota Tractor was certainly a more reliable starter in the morning but turned over a larger area without the performance of Tosca the Truffle Dog.
2) The French mainly use pigs for hunting truffles while the Italians mainly use dogs. Is there any evidence that one animal is superior to the other for hunting truffles?
Pigs had their chance but they blew it...

Question to Alessandra Zambonelli:-
Are white truffles immature black truffles? Or, are they a different species or at least are they another variety of the same species?
White Truffles are a different species than Black Truffles

Question to Allan Hall:-
An example of truffles shown in the photo gallery is one weighing 250g. This is incredibly larger than any that I have ever purchased or have seen for sale abroad. Is such a weight typical in France or Italy? Do you expect NZ truffles to be larger than French or Italian truffles?
The largest Truffle found today, at about 4:30pm weighed 475 g. Although it was certainly past its best its aroma was perfect. We think that the truffles were large because the soil had been worked carefully each year.

Hello Vaughan!
I've been learning all about Truffles and I look forward to seeing the trees. Do you think we can train Georgia to be a Truffle snuffler? The menu looks wonderful. Please bring me a copy to show to my students and fellow chef tutors.
Que aproveche! (Spanish for good eating)
p.s. Have a safe drive home.

Question to Mike Strong,
Based on the response to your meal tonight, would you anticipate truffles becoming an established part of the NZ diet, albeit reserved to special occasions due to the cost or, will people maybe try it once and not bother again ?
All depends on how many Truffles Alan Hall can supply - but they will be reserved for special occasions. After tonight people will no longer need to ask what truffles taste like.
Will you be including Truffle in your menu of the future ?

Question: To Anyone
Why aren't I there
Give my regards to Trisia Walsh and Greg "Australian Gourmet"...
Really interesting Rus ...Well Done

Question: To the Truffle Hound
How many truffles today? First find today - a buried Avocado - by an associate hound
But then total of six black in the last hour! So 800 g for the day.
How big? Largest 475 g
How many black truffles this year to date? Seven point five kilos

Question For: Alan Hall
How much do Truffles cost for the average consumer?
As of today $3000 per kg

Question for John Knight
Glad you arrived safely. The truffle hound question is actually from me for you, but I stuffed it up. Ali is not here yet. Any recipe for duck with truffles. Truffle stuffing? How was the KK?
Rare to find a Duck & Truffle Recipe - See this page for a book that details a Truffle Stuffing Recipe.
Well it would have be a big duck to take the truffle(475 g) we found today!

Question For: Alan Hall
How do Truffles grow?
They accelerate in size with every glass of wine..... :-)
See this page for a book that details a Truffle

Question For: Ian Hall
What temperature should the room be before you tear off your clothes and scrub truffles in the hotel room????
Some people take their clothes off before the Truffle - other people take their clothes off after
Read the latest NZ Truffle Association Newsletter....