Bargain truffles hit the market as producers offload surplus

If there is a small win to be found in the current city lockdown, it's for the truffle-loving Sydneysider.

"We've been selling WA truffles for $1.50 a gram," says Josh Rea from Gourmet Life, in Edgecliff. "Last year they were $2.50 or $3 a gram."

The timing of the lockdown can't have been worse for Australia's truffle sector, coinciding with its peak season. With one of its largest markets – Sydney restaurants – largely out of action, some product was moved interstate, but there is still a glut of the edible delicacy.

"I had 47 kilos of truffles in my fridge when the lockdown was announced," Rea says.

While Rea is still supplying a small amount to restaurants such as Totti's and The Mayflower, which have pivoted to takeaway and home delivery, he maintains the consumer has been the winner.

"Last week we were even selling some for $1 [a gram], I even gave some away," he says.

An alternative market has popped up for the black gold, with fresh truffles selling on social media and advertised through online marketplaces. "I'd be really careful buying there, I suspect some of it is chefs offloading truffles, they'd be a couple of weeks old now," Rea says.

Daniel Flamminio, from MD Provodores, explains some of the available fresh truffle is also being diverted into manufacturing: "Things like truffle butter, which doesn't always get the Ferraris of truffles."

Frustrating for truffle producers, this season is also a bumper one for quality. "Places like Tassie don't want to drop their price," Rea says.

But with a glut of truffle on the market, the timing has never been better to add the delicacy to a shopping list.