Scientist harvests first British-cultivated truffle

Though wild truffles can be found across Britain, plant biologist Paul Thomas says he has succeeded in growing summer or burgundy truffles after planting the fungus on farms and estates across England six years ago, reported the BBC. It was while conducting an annual root sample that Thomas found the 39g specimen under a holly-oak tree, he told The Yorkshire Post. Burgundy truffles are most common in cooler regions like Canada and Scandinavia and are milder in flavor compared to the Perigord truffle. For this reason, they fetch lower wholesale prices compared to their more coveted cousin, at about $600 a kg ($400/lb). Truffles grow underground in symbiosis with tree roots and are a culinary delicacy. Thomas is hoping that the success of his first cultivated truffle will spawn the business of truffle farming across the UK, a project that was endorsed on "Dragon's Den," a reality TV show in which budding entrepreneurs pitch their ideas for investment deals. He is also the chief scientist for the American Truffle Company which works with truffle cultivators. British producers, craftsmen and purveyors have become formidable players in the gourmet food industry. In 2010, East Sussex winery Ridgeview beat stalwart French champagne brands to take top honors at the prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards with its Grosvenor Blanc de Blanc 2006 sparkling wine. Likewise, British cheese makers have taken multiple championship titles at international cheese competitions. British cheese makers from Bath beat out French, Swiss and Dutch rivals to take the gold medal at the World Cheese Awards at the BBC Good Food Show in London, with their Bath Blue cheese, made with organic milk and ripened in a stone-built room for eight to 10 weeks. Source: Euronews