FAQ
What are truffles?
Truffles are a kind of 'underground mushroom' that grow on the roots of certain tree species. They are highly prized by top chefs and connoisseurs for their exquisite flavor.
Why cultivate truffles?
Truffles are one of the most expensive fungi on the face of the planet. Wholesale prices for the black winter truffle (Tuber melanosporum) can exceed £1000 per kg.
How can truffles be cultivated?
Like all mycorrhizal species the truffle grows in conjunction with the roots of certain plants. The black truffle grows most successfully with the roots of oak and hazel trees. Our new technique allows infected trees to be planted and truffles harvested. The truffle grows underground and the 'truffle farm' looks like a tree plantation.
Have other people grown truffles?
Yes. However, due to the current (and out-dated) technology only a small percentage of truffle farms are really successful. Some truffle plantations have failed due to poor technology and poor attention to detail. The technique we have developed is a more thorough and reliable scientific method.
Why is Mycorrhizal Systems technique so much better?
Our technique should eliminate the 'lucky dip' effect. Before planting we ensure 100% of our trees are inoculated . This technique is supported by constant biological monitoring and should lead to a truffle harvest in a shorter time frame, in greater numbers and with increased reliability. Good plantations are reported to produce 20-90Kg/Ha per annum. However, yields for the summer truffle can be far higher and some plantations of either species have been reported to produce very large yields indeed. Although there is variation in the performance of individual trees, our unique partnership structure means we care as much about maximizing your yield as you do, and that you can be assured we will proactively and determinedly pursue the highest yields possible with you.
What are the risks involved?
All projects carry risks and truffle cultivation is no exception. Truffles have been successfully cultivated for nearly 40 years using a range of technologies and its now estimated that nearly 90% of all the truffles in France come from commercial orchards. These 'headline figures' may sounds good but it should be understood that there are a large number of orchards that fail to produce.
Failure to produce can be due to a large range of variables (including soil, climatic and management parameters) and from a scientific standpoint, we believe that these variables can always be identified. With the largest truffle data set world-wide, we believe that we are very well placed to advise on how to mitigate such risks. We firmly believe that using a scientific approach, large data sets and attention to detail is the only way to cultivate truffles. Even using the most informed approach, yields will vary and it should be understood that there are still risks involved. For more information, please do get in contact.
Are there different types of truffles?
Yes. The two species we concentrate on are the black winter truffle (Tuber melanosporum) and the summer truffle (Tuber aestivum syn. uncinatum). This FAQ is primarily focused on the winter truffle.
What is the Summer truffle?
The Summer truffle (Tuber aestivum syn. uncinatum) is very similar to the winter truffle although milder in flavour. For this reason wholesale prices are much lower and are generally £200-300/kg (seasonal average). However, the summer truffle is much more at home in cooler climates and in the UK has been reported to have been found as far north as Scotland!
How can trees be tested for their truffle growing potential?
Here at MSL we are big fans of independent DNA testing. The truffle fungus grows on the root surface of the tree and can often be seen with a low-power microscope. Visual analysis can be revealing, although we have seen strong variation in a range of 'experts' ability to identify the truffle fungus (especially the summer truffle variety). We've seen well inoculated trees labelled as 'no truffle fungus' and the converse. For this reason we strongly recommend DNA testing as the only accurate testing solution. Each year, we use DNA testing to qualify the presence of truffle on the roots of a number of our trees. If you've bought trees from elsewhere and want to check that the truffle is on the root system, we strongly recommend DNA analysis and this can be organised through www.MSLAnalysis.com
Can I grow truffles on my land?
The best land for truffle growing should be free from established trees and have a high pH value (7.3-8.3). However, even soils with quite low pH levels can be utilised as long as adequate lime is applied, we have worked with fields with a starting pH as low as 4.9. The pH can be estimated using simple kits available from most garden centers. However, to successfully farm truffles there are a large number of variables that should be fully analyzed. We offer several services to assess the potential of a site for growing truffles. Contact Us
Interested in establishing a truffle farm? Then read about our partnership opportunities
Partnership opportunities - Partnerships
Interested in growing truffles in your garden or buying a small number of trees? Then visit our tree shop, the best place to buy truffle-trees for growing and for gifts
The tree shop - The Shop
Interested in looking for truffles and training your dog to hunt for truffles? Then visit our truffle-dog training school
Truffle-dog training - The School
