The Mediterranean black truffle, one of the world's most expensive ingredients, has been successfully cultivated in the UK, as climate change threatens its native habitat.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge and Mycorrhizal Systems Ltd (MSL) have confirmed that a black truffle has been successfully cultivated in the UK for the first time: the farthest north that the species has ever been found. It was grown as part of a programme in Monmouthshire, South Wales, run by MSL in collaboration with local farmers. The results of the programme, reported in the journal Climate Research, suggest that truffle cultivation may be possible in many parts of the UK.
After nine years of waiting, the truffle was harvested in March 2017 by a trained dog named Bella. The aromatic fungus was growing within the root system of a Mediterranean oak tree that had been treated to encourage truffle production. Further microscopic and genetic analysis confirmed that Bella's find was indeed a PĂ©rigord black truffle (Tuber melanosporum).
Gourmands rejoice.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday November 07 2017, @04:57AM
What's more amusing is that under normal circumstances the rules and their enforcers here in the UK would be against little experiments like this, deliberate introduction of an alien species to our environment.
21st Century Britain: not only Rank, but the food of Rank has it's privilege