news
NEWS
Prof. Paul Thomas (our Managing Director) has appeared on several TV programmes, radio shows and in many written articles. Specific areas of expertise include the biology, cultivation, hunting and cooking methods of the wide range of truffle species. If you would like an interview or require information for an article then please use our contact form and we would be very happy to help.
Below, our most recent news articles are displayed and our back-catalogue is open for browsing.
July 14, 2015
After a recent surge of interest for this species of truffle, with more details in our recent article – https://plantationsystems.com/desert-truffles – MSL are happy to announce that shrubs inoculated with the desert truffle (Terfezia boudieri) are now available.
July 14, 2015
The world’s most coveted and expensive edible may be coming to a vineyard near you, thanks in part to the American Truffle Company, a business that is introducing the science of truffle cultivation to the wine world. Unbeknownst to many, truffles can be coaxed to grow beneath young oak and hazel trees, whose roots have been inoculated with Tuber melanosporum/aestivum, the truffle fungus. In fact, 95% of the winter Perigord truffles from France are sourced from inoculated trees.
July 14, 2015
Truffle trees are trees that host the truffle fungus on their root system. In order to create truffle trees a source of identified fungal material is needed. This source can be either cultured fungi or, more commonly, the spores of the truffle fungus. The primary source for truffle spores, for Tuber melanosporum, Tuber aestivum syn uncinatum and others is the truffle (known as the fruiting body) itself.
July 14, 2015
Desert truffles (Tefezia spp) are distinct from the high value European truffle species but still have a large market place for their culinary use. At prices roughly 1/10th of the European truffles they are also highly accessible.
July 14, 2015
Unfortunately because of the heavy snowfall in January the growers’ seminar had to be cancelled, so we want to apologise to all of the people who were planning to attend. The event is for everyone and anyone who has an interest in truffles and truffle cultivation. The day consists of a fascinating presentation covering all aspects of truffle growing and plenty of time to ask any questions that you might have. We have re-scheduled this now for the 26th of February, so please email shop@plantationsystems.com for more information and to book/confirm your place.
July 14, 2015
Unfortunately because of the heavy snowfall in January the growers’ seminar had to be cancelled, so we want to apologise to all of the people who were planning to attend. The event is for everyone and anyone who has an interest in truffles and truffle cultivation. The day consists of a fascinating presentation covering all aspects of truffle growing and plenty of time to ask any questions that you might have. We have re-scheduled this now for the 26th of February, so please email shop@plantationsystems.com for more information and to book/confirm your place.
July 14, 2015
Earlier in the month Dr Thomas was in Napa Valley, California, presenting at the third Annual Napa Truffle Festival. Again the event was sold out and a triumphant success with the festival highlight being a truffle feast prepared by a number of Michelin starred chefs. You can see an overview of the festival in the link below: www.starkinsider.com/2013/01/truffles-in-america-napa-truffle-festival-v… MSL are hoping to bring a similar festival to the UK, and updates will follow in the Newsletter.
July 14, 2015
The Daily Mail (14th October 1012) managed to pick up on this story before us, but we liked it so much we thought we would share it with you…When Nellie the English bull terrier kept digging up the back garden, her owners were not best pleased. But it turned out Nellie wasn’t just enjoying a little meaningless destruction – she was busy discovering a gold mine. The couple were astonished to find their dog had unearthed a stash of valuable black summer truffles. Nellie has been finding truffles for the past six years – uncovering 500 grams of the fungi this year alone.
July 14, 2015
The prime tree planting time of November – March is now upon us. Traditionally, November to March are the best months to plant, as the trees are dormant and planting in the winter allows the truffley-roots plenty of time to settle in before mycorrhiza and root-growth starts again in spring.
