Across the UK (and further afield) there are plantations reaching fruiting age but a lack of dogs to hunt on them! If you have trained your dog to look for truffles and would like us to pass your details to farmers with mature sites, even if you just want ground to practice on, let us know and we’ll introduce you to plantation owners. We’d like to hear from anyone and everyone so we can build a database and help match plantation owners with trained dogs. Please spread the message far and wide.

One of our partners from America has recently written an incredible article about her experiences of becoming a truffle producer. It is a fantastic read, especially for anyone who is thinking of investing in a plantation. The article can be found here: http://www.carolinaalumnireview.com/carolinaalumnireview/20140708/?pg=24…

A newly published study in the journal Genome Biology by scientists from UCLA and colleagues in Italy, France and Taiwan reports on the truffle’s unique genetic makeup. “The fungi have a complex genome, with a preponderance of repetitive and mobile elements,” said Simone Ottonello of the laboratory of functional genomics and protein engineering at the Univ. of Parma in Italy. “The genome resembles the composition of the human genome, which also uses reversible methylation — and other mechanisms — to deal with repeated and mobile elements.”

On October 17th 2014, we are looking forward to a night celebrating truffles at Sheffield’s Inox Restaurant. The evening will include a journey through the fascinating world of truffles hosted by our own expert mycologist, Dr Paul Thomas. You will have the opportunity to taste a selection of truffles over drinks before a surprise three course menu is served. The head chef, Joe Berry, will create the menu for the evening using truffles to complement the finest seasonal ingredients.

You can grow truffles in a wide range of climatic zones worldwide. In northern temperate zones down to northern Africa, its possible to cultivate summer/burgundy truffles (Tuber aestivum syn uncinatum) whereas the winter truffle (Tuber melanosporum) can be grown in Mediterranean climates. In fact, there are truffle species for nearly all climates and soil types, even some white truffle species can be cultivated. Here at Mycorrhizal Systems, truffle cultivation is our thing and we run research sites in nearly 30 countries worldwide, working with a very wide number of host plants and truffle species. Around 95% of all the truffles in France are now cultivated.

MSL is now inoculating the first batch of trees with Tuber brumale. This species is found in the same climate as the winter truffle (Tuber melanosporum) and is associated with the same trees (typically oak and hazel). However it is a hardier species and can grow in more humid environments and more acidic soils than the winter truffle. It can even be cultivated in northern European countries. We believe that this species has great gastronomic value, as it has a great taste and aroma.

This week will see the 17th annual Skills for Chefs conference, at The University of Sheffield. MSL will again be providing the fresh truffles for the very special Gala dinner. The Skills for Chefs Gala Dinner will be taking place in the prestigious Firth Hall at The University of Sheffield. This University’s flagship venue and was where the University Charter was bestowed by King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in 1905. Preceded by a Champagne and Canapé Reception, the five course dinner will showcase the talents of leading chefs and the amazing black summer truffle.

Last week, we were in Morocco presenting data at two academic conferences on underground fungi. The first presented report investigates the climatic impact for the distribution of three key truffle species and the second is a large study (343 data points) on the impact of tree growth and development on truffle production. Both reports are being prepared for publication in international journals and copies will be available on request Having just returned from a academic conference and research trip to Morocco.

In March we were luckily enough to hear unique truffle recipes by chef Joan Roca i Fontané of El Celler de Can Roca. Widely cited as the current best restaurant in the world, Joan detailed how they use truffles in the restaurant. Of particular interest was an in-depth detailed description of 5 key truffle recipes. It was an absolutely pleasure to see a chef who is so intimately knowledgeable of how to use truffles.