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

Spanish truffle plantation

High in the mountains of Spain our Spanish partners have over 10,000 winter truffle trees planted. Established over several seasons and fully irrigated, the site is showing good mycorrhizal development. Although the site is young, dog-training preparations are currently under-way to unearth any early truffles. Having visited the site earlier in the year we are hoping for great things from this location.
July 14, 2015

Summer truffles ready to ship, worldwide

The summer truffle (Tuber aestivum syn. uncinatum) season is in full sway and we can now deliver these high-quality truffles worldwide. If you’d like to order, any quantity from 100g to 100kg, please do get in contact on: Shop@PlantationSystems.com  
July 14, 2015

Tuber indicum, the Chinese truffle, identification

The Chinese truffle is infamous for its spread throughout truffle markets. The species is often mixed with the more expensive Tuber melanosporum to increase the weight of a batch of truffles and to increase the price that a vendor can receive. The problem is huge worldwide and this has led to many people claiming to be able to identify differences in the two species.
July 14, 2015

Edible Mycorrhizal Mushroom conference

Earlier this month, the Seventh International Workshop on Edible Mycorrhizal Mushrooms (IWEMM7) took place in La Antigua, Guatemala. The conference was superb, with all aspects of the science and economical value of edible mycorrhizal mushrooms (EMM) covered in the program. The program focuses on the exchange of knowledge and experiences between the world’s leading experts in EMM, and allows the presentation of new data and research advances on edible mycorrhizal fungi.
July 14, 2015

Lamb with winter truffle recipe

Thinking of buying some of our truffles but wondering what to do with them? This recipe consists of a delicious roasted lamb and creamed potatoes and is similar to one we were served at the Skills for Chefs conference. It will surely impress your relatives & guests and will be a proof beyond reasonable doubt of your cooking expertise. Ingredients: Lamb : A large bunch of fresh rosemary 1 x 2kg shoulder of lamb Olive oil 1 glass of wine 1 bulb of garlic
July 14, 2015

MSL’s Research

As you are probably aware if you are a regular subscriber to our newsletters, we pride ourselves on our scientific knowledge and ground-breaking research into truffle cultivation. We have recently added a new page to our website.
July 14, 2015

Australian truffles, available now!

Fresh Australian truffles are now in stock. With a superb flavor and good maturity, these are the same species as the European black winter truffle or Perigord truffle, but are available in the summer months from orchards in Australia. These are a really rarity and are at their peak now. If you would like to order or have any questions, please do get in contact: shop@plantationsystems.com   or  +44(0)1422 844095
July 14, 2015

Australian truffles, available now

European truffles are now being grown worldwide and one of the key benefits to consumers is that fresh periogord truffles are now available in the middle of summer. We’re delighted to announce that fresh Australian-grown perigord truffles are now in season and are being distributed by ourselves across Europe. If you’d like to order some truffles, either trade or retail, or would just like to know more- we’d be delighted to hear from you. shop@PlantationSystems.com
July 14, 2015

Bulgaria truffle cultivation отглеждане на трюфели в България не

Bulgaria is one of the great truffle countries of Europe. With wild harvests of the most expensive black truffles (Tuber melanosporum and Tuber aestivum syn. uncinatum) and white truffles (Tuber magnatum and Tuber borchii), this country also has an ideal climate for cultivation.
  • Samantha Ellis

    From guidance in orchard establishment, tree supply and management to our own truffle distribution network, we've got all angles covered

    Samantha Ellis
    Business Development
  • Dr Paul Thomas

    Thorough and scientific methodologies, attention to detail and having a committed partner at every step of the way, is the only reliable approach to truffle cultivation

    Dr Paul Thomas
    General Director
  • Daniel Paskin

    With our own genetics lab and research sites in 23 countries, we are truly world-leading in the field

    Daniel Paskin
    Nursery Manager
December 6, 2017

The Telegraph: The Welsh farm growing one of the world’s rarest delicacies – the Perigord truffle

In November Dr Thomas met with The Telegraph’s Boudicca Fox-Leonard to discuss how a small village in South Wales became home to the first black winter Perigord truffles to be found north of France.
December 6, 2017

BBC Radio 4 You & Yours – Shari Vahl hunts the first UK Perigord truffles with us

In November Dr Thomas met with Shari Vahl from BBC Radio 4’s You & Yours programme to discuss Mycorrhizal Systems’ cultivation of the Black winter Perigord truffle on our partner site in South Wales – this is the first time the valuable truffle has been found north of France and is related to changing climatic conditions. Shari visits the plantation in Wales that is now producing both summer and winter truffle varieties.
December 6, 2017

Epigenetics: advanced truffle research 

In October we welcomed our new PhD candidate, Philip Schuler, to the Mycorrhizal Systems team.  Supervised by ourselves and Prof. Ganesan at the University of East Anglia, Philip is working on a new field in truffle research: the effect of epigenetic and morphogenetic modulators on truffle cultivation under model laboratory conditions. In essence, we have compounds which change how genes are expressed with the aim of looking for important modulators for truffle growth and fruiting. The aim is to eventually develop practical applications that can be applied to the orchards of our grower partners. This is a really exciting project and encompasses a range of experimental systems. Philip has been on several orchards already, collecting samples and has already got quite deep into lab work. Click through for some stunning images Philip has taken of the truffle fungus growing in association with the plant partner (Tuber aestivum).
November 5, 2017

First ever Périgord black truffle cultivated in the UK due to climate change

We’re excited to announce that the first cultivated black Périgord (winter) truffle in the UK has been produced using Mycorrhizal Systems technology – this is the first time the truffle has been found north of central France and was grown on our partner site in Monmouthshire, South Wales. The truffle find and associated research has been reported in the journal ‘Climate Research’. Analysis by researchers from the University of Cambridge and Dr Paul Thomas from Mycorrhizal Systems and the University of Stirling suggests that climate change was a factor and that truffle cultivation may be possible in many parts of the UK. The scientific breakthrough is an important development for the burgeoning UK truffle industry as climate change is threatening native black Périgord truffle habitats in southern Europe.