The 27th of January is an important date for your diary as we’ll be exhibiting at the National Farmers’ Retail and Markets Association (FARMA), the Farm and More Farm Diversification show 2010. Based in Shropshire (UK) the show is focused on diversification in farming. Come along and visit us on-site to find out more about truffle farming and how you can get involved with our partnership programme. Also, remember that we operate internationally so no matter where you are based, come along for a chat about the possibilities of growing truffles in your area.

December saw Forbes compile a list of the 11 most extravagant meals. Truffles featured three times, with a White Truffle Dinner at Les Amis (Singapore) coming fourth, at 800USD per person, not including wine! In fifth place was the 5,000USD burger by Fleur de Lys chef Hubert Keller (Las Vegas) featuring kobe beef, foie gras and truffles. Finally, in ninth place was the Chef’s Table at L’Espadon Paris with a menu that includes “cappuccino-style” mashed potatoes, which featured truffles and cocoa.

The 11th Global Alba Truffle Auction was recently held in the small town of Grinzane Cavour near Alba, Italy. Private-equity investor Joseph Bae, of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., Hong Kong, set his sights on an exquisite Alba Truffle. This particular truffle weighed in at 750gms (1lb 10oz) and was eventually bought by Mr Bae for a princely sum of 1 million Hong Kong Dollars, or £90,000.

This month we’re excited to be presenting our research at the First European Conference on the “European” Truffle Tuber aestivum/uncinatum. Hosted at the Biodiversity Center of the University of Vienna, this is a small gathering of scientists that we hope will strengthen in numbers with each meeting.