This Week’s Food News – Madame Truffles

What do truffles smell and taste like? Mushrooms, old socks, male pheromones, forest floor, umami and sex were all thrown about during my visit to Madame Truffles. This (genius) business grew from Bernadette Jenner’s disappointment with truffles imported from overseas. And after five years in Melbourne, she’s finally brought the opportunity to smell and taste black truffle terroir from four different Australian regions, to Sydney! You’ll find her ten-week pop-up shop tucked behind Pasta Emilia on Riley Street, with the artisan pasta-makers collaborating on two truffled ravioli creations in her boutique in-store range. You’ll also find Truffle Salt [$10]; Truffle Honey [$20]; Popcorn with Truffle Butter [$20]; and Truffle Ice Cream [$18]; all made without the use of fake truffle oil. The most exciting part is getting up close and personal with truffles from four Australian states, to find out that Braidwood NSW truffles throw smoke while Lower Barrington TAS truffles are all about mushroom. In an effort to ensure more people can afford to try them, Jenner goes out of her way to source small truffles, with prices ranging from $2.60-$3.40/gram. To really experience them though, you will need 4-5 grams per person. And as one does not simply slice truffles thinly enough with a knife, you may need to invest in a fancy truffle slicer [$45]. I didn’t regret any of my purchases…
www.madametruffles.com