For those in the know, a recent article in the prestigious science journal, Nature, has caused waves in the truffle world. Having no less than 50 authors, this excellent piece of research helps to start to answer some of the current questions in truffle research. One of the big questions has been whether the truffle itself is responsible for its complex aroma or whether it is other organisms that call the truffle fruiting body home. Through sequencing the genome it can now be conclusively stated that the truffle itself is responsible for the majority of its heady scent –

We are delighted to announce that later this year we will be holding a residential course for those interested in truffles and truffle cultivation. Based in exclusive, award-winning, 5* accommodation on the Isle of Bute, the course will be over two days and involve excursions and full in-depth sessions on all aspects of truffles and their cultivation. Including meals and accommodation at Balmory Hall, a spectacular grade A listed Victorian mansion, the course will include a champagne reception and some seriously good truffle-heavy food.

The very first bottles of the world’s first, truffle infused vodka go on sale this month. Vodka is not the only alcoholic drink to use truffles and there are a range of alternatives from Brandy to a number of liquors. For a number of these concoctions, it is the Périgord truffle that lends its flavor, infamous for its rich, earthy aroma and distinct taste. There are products which use just truffles for the flavor but as with most truffle oils, a synthetic and chemical flavor often listed as ‘truffle aroma’ is often added. For those interested in these alcoholic drinks, they can

Earlier this month we took journalist Sarah Falkingham on a secret visit to one of our UK plantations. Without giving away the location, we drove Sarah to one of our young plantations to observe our annual monitoring procedure and to see how the truffle-cultivation system works. Despite the rain, it was an interesting morning and Sarah’s investigative piece was broadcast on Friday the 9th of April on BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today programme. The programme can be live streamed or downloaded from the BBC website through their ‘listen again’ service.