The Great Southern and Denmark is emerging as a grower and producer region of black Perigord truffle, which can retail for up to $3000 a kilogram.

And WA accounts for 90 per cent of Australia’s truffle exports with most producer farms in the South West.

In the past five years Denmark has expanded from just one truffle producer to six farms with the yield growing rapidly.

Two producers – Splendid Valley Truffles and Raintree Estate – tripled production in the past year alone.

The Dam at Raintree Estate owner Chelsea Beaton has watched the process of cultivating truffles from the start, having planted the oaks as a teenager.

Fifteen years later with her young children she is harvesting the crops to be served as delicacies and incorporated into seasonal dishes at the restaurant.

Chelsea said cultivating truffles was a slow but rewarding process.

“It’s a true example of being patient and working with nature to harvest these hidden treasures that bring so much joy and flavour,” she said.

With the growth in truffle farms had come an accessibility to the delicacies that once was seen as an unattainable flavour to experience for most diners.

Alan Bradshaw from Splendid Valley Truffles was the first producer in the region and spurred his first truffle back in 2012.

He looked forward to working with Chelsea and her family and the other farms in coming years to put Denmark on the map as one of the best places to visit for truffles.

This article appeared in the Denmark Bulletin, 18 May 2023.