Climate crisis threatens truffle production but could put UK species back on the menu

By Paul W Thomas, Honorary Professor Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling

Truffles, the prized fungi coveted worldwide by chefs and food connoisseurs, have long been held in high regard.

Often associated with Mediterranean Europe, especially France, Italy and Spain, these tasty fungi grow underground and are unearthed with the help of scent-detection dogs.

But unbeknown to many is the fact that the UK once had a thriving industry focused on a native truffle species (Tuber aestivum), with the English truffle first

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