The annual Canterbury Truffle Festival got under way on Saturday and runs until July 28.
Truffle hunts are being hosted by local growers and taste testing of this delicacy is available at farmers' markets and local restaurants.
Truffles are an underground fruiting body of fungi which grows in Canterbury's lime-rich soils and are notable for their powerful aromas and flavours.
Canterbury truffle growers Tresillian Truffles, of West Melton, Kings Truffles, of Waikari, and Limestone Hills, of Amberley, are offering truffle tours and details for bookings can be found on the Canterbury Truffle Festival website.
Local truffle growers, including Borchii Park, of West Melton, Jean's Truffiere, Kings Truffles, Limestone Hills and Amuri Truffiere, of Waikari, will have stalls at the Waipara Valley (Amberley), Christchurch and Lyttelton farmers' markets each Saturday during the festival, while there will also be truffles at the Ohoka farmers' market on Friday mornings.
Participating restaurants and wineries include several establishments in Christchurch and North Canterbury.
For more information, like the Canterbury Truffle Festival page on Facebook or go to the website canterburytrufflefestival.nz.
-By David Hill
