Chemistry, Biology and Ecology of Truffle-Forming Fungi

Despite its fabled past, the truffle long remained an exotic phenomenon in our nation. At least until the day a Gotlander pulled up a strange lump from her garden. The find, a 225 gram truffle, marked the start of the delicacy's journey to the Swedish kitchen landscapes. This summer you have the opportunity to learn more about the truffle’s life underground and its function in ecology and pharmacy.

For millennia truffles has fueled our imagination. Where the Prophet Mohamed saw it as a gift from Allah, Roman Catholic priests condemned truffles as the devil's invention before a change in taste in the 16th century made them bless the mushroom. From a less dramatic and more scientific perspective, truffle is a designation used for numerous mushroom species, several of which are much-coveted enhancers of flavor and especially aroma in a number of popular recipes.

Every summer, Uppsala University offers the freestanding course Chemistry, Biology and Ecology of Truffle-Forming Fungi, supervised by Christina Wedén, one of the world's leading experts. Based in Visby, you visit natural habitats and plantations where you also learn how to identify a selection of the economically important truffle species. Among the recurring guest lecturers is Andreas Hedlund, Chef of the Year 2002 with several Nobel dinners on his curriculum vitae, who talks about how to best utilise the precious delicacies.

Welcome to Campus Gotland where you, in the company of mushroom enthusiasts from a number of countries, will learn about a life form where science is far more fascinating than the myths surrounding it.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

• The course starts in early summer
• The course is given part time, in Visby and if needed in English
  

LEARN MORE

• Flyer Chemistry, Biology and Ecology of Truffle-Forming Fungi (5 cr) Pdf, 657 kB.
• Tryffel – mat för gudar, gutar & svin (Truffles - food for gods, gotlanders & hogs)
• Research in Pharmacognosy at Uppsala University
• Freestanding courses at the Faculty of Pharmacy

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