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.

June 14, 2015

Welsh truffle plantation continues to show excellent results

In early November 08 we started to collate results from our Welsh plantation, where we are seeing excellent brûlé development (burnt areas around the tree base caused by the truffle growth) just 9 – 12 months after planting. We recorded data from 77 trees and only seven were not yet showing signs of brûlé development. This is really good news as we were not expecting such good development for at least two more years. We are now planning a full vegetation survey across the site as well as biological soil measurements to see what is happening below ground.
June 14, 2015

Helping a Michelin-starred chef and a great gift idea…

Over the summer we were delighted to help a good friend of ours, Paul Merret, with growing truffles on his allotment. Paul, an award winning Michelin-starred chef and TV presenter, has recorded his first attempts at allotment gardening in his new book ‘Using the Plot: Tales of an Allotment Chef’. This account of self-sufficiency in the 21st century is a great read and beautifully produced. With the section on growing truffles, we think it makes a perfect gift – but then again, we’re truffle mad and so are perhaps a little biased!
June 14, 2015

The truffle-dog training school – an update

Since opening the dog school, many hunters have come through our door and our expert trainer has worked with a wide range of breeds. Their abilities, across the board, never cease to amaze. Recently, we have been discussing starting further research on breed specific behavioural characteristics and scenting abilities, when along came the Barbets! The Barbet is an active breed, equally enjoying work and play with a thick shaggy coat over its whole body (“barbe” is the French word for beard). A review of the breed-specific training day can be found here: www.barbet.org.uk/news21.htm
June 14, 2015

Patches of bare earth ignite truffle dreams

Some very exciting news- earlier this autumn we received photos from our welsh plantation showing a very distinct ‘brûlé’. A brûlé is a burnt-looking patch of ground, devoid of vegetation underneath the tree caused by the truffle fungus- these normally take several years to appear and signal imminent onset of fruiting of the truffle. This is particularly exciting as they have appeared on around 70-80% of trees planted last winter! With an average age of 9months (from planting), these results are every exciting indeed,
June 14, 2015

The Italian white truffle, in England?

The beginning of October saw an exciting e-mail arrive at Mycorrhizal Systems HQ. We received a claim that the most expensive white truffle species, Tuber magnatum, had been found by a gardener in Southern England. Descriptions in the e-mail of the truffle and how/where it was found seemed to substantiate the claim. However, after a request for a sample for DNA testing the ‘truffle finder’ disappeared. Did he really find white truffles and disappear to sell his hoard? Or did the alleged find turn out to be something else and the embarrassment prevent further contact?
June 13, 2015

South African truffles making the headlines

Mycorrhizal Systems is still making waves across South Africa. This month they have been filling the airwaves, appeared in yet more magazine articles and have recently also received national TV exposure. For further details and information on truffle cultivation in South Africa please contact us
June 13, 2015

Truffles down under, some of the most expensive truffles in the world

Whilst northern hemisphere truffle hunters are busying themselves in the summer truffle season, July is harvesting time for the Perigord truffle (Tuber melanosporum) in the southern hemisphere.
June 13, 2015

Chinese truffles, a threat to plantations?

June 12, 2015

South African truffle industry

  • 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
July 14, 2015

Latest published truffle research article

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

New Growers Seminar

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

Napa Truffle Festival update

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

Truffle hunting terrier

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.