Hello and welcome This past month has again been quite busy here at MSL HQ. We've had reports of truffles being found under tarmac and have been joined by two new recruits. Further details of both of these stories, as well as a truffle event this month and an insight into what makes the truffle truly irresistible, are all detailed below. For now, we hope you enjoy the updates and as always, please do get in contact with any questions/comments.
Kind regards,
Dr Paul Thomas and the Mycorrhizal Systems Team
Truffles helping in romance
Several readers may well know that truffles contain quite a high concentration of pheromones, specifically a hormone normally produced by boars known as androstenol. This hormone plays a role in attraction between boars and pigs and is widely credited as the principal reason why pigs go mad for these underground fungi. However, it seems that it's not just pigs that are sub-consciously attracted to truffles. In a recent study, female human participants were asked to grade photos of males in terms of attractiveness - a commonly used method in many physiological experiments. What was startling about this particular experiment was that when it was carried out in rooms sprayed with androstenol, the women graded men as significantly more attractive than when the pictures were viewed in an untreated room. So it seems that there may well be truth in the old stories of truffles being aphrodisiacs and a truffle-heavy dinner could be an excellent seduction technique! Truffles are perhaps one of the only fungi to produce such seductive chemicals, although animal sources of pheromones have been used for decades as attracters in perfumes. Musk, originally naturally derived from the male musk deer, is a key example. I think I'd prefer the truffle option… For more information on any aspect of truffles, please do get in contact:Shop@PlantationSystems.com or +44(0)1422 844 095.
New recruits at MSL HQ
This past month we've had to say a fond farewell to Emma Bleakly-Dean, who's moving overseas to start a new adventure and will continue to work with us from time to time. We've also been joined by two new recruits, Heather Sutton and Catriona Jones. Heather has taken on Emma's role. She will be your first point of contact and will be helping out at this year's events. Ecologist Catriona has joined us in a research role and has already started mining our data-sets, designing new trials and writing an academic paper. Also, just to remind you all that our contact details have changed to: Phone: 0845 519 5808 or +44(0)1422 844 095 Correspondence address: Mycorrhizal Systems Ltd, Unit 4A, Popples Close Farm, Edge Lane, Heptonstall, Hebden Bridge, HX7 7PG
Tarmac truffles
Truffles are often found in a range of ecological niches, but a recent find in Gloucester is a completely new one on us! We were recently contacted by a chap who found something odd whilst digging a small hole in his driveway. The area in question is completely paved with the exception of one very small area that had been used to grow a small training plant. During a spring-dig to replant the hole, the surprised gardener stumbled across what looked like three large lumps of tarmac. It was only after slicing one of the lumps with a spade that he realized that these were something unusual. After sending samples to MSL, we identified them as summer truffles and a further inspection revealed a lime tree in a not too distant hedge. As the likely truffle host, the roots of the lime had travelled beneath the drive way and helped produce truffles in this tiny area. A remarkable find and it just goes to show that truffles can appear in the most urban of areas! If you'd like help with truffle identification or would like to know more about growing truffles in an urban area (although preferably not a driveway) please do get in contact: Invest@PlantationSystems.com or +44(0)1422 844 095.
Try Black Moth truffle vodka at Taste of London
Taste of London is one of the most exciting foodie events of the year, bringing together 40 of the capital's top restaurants and a wide range of superb food providers from around the world. Running between the 17th and 20th of June at London's Regents park, tickets can be bought online from the Taste of London website: www.tastefestivals.com/london/ In between the wide range of culinary delights and cooking theatre, Black Moth Truffle Vodka will be providing a delectable range of cocktails and mixers throughout the event. With a full cocktail bar and trade stand, this is your opportunity to try a range of real truffle-infused drinks, developed by top mixologists and to ask all your truffle-related culinary questions. To visit the Black Moth cocktail stand, please visit the Taste of London website to purchase your entry tickets.