The Truffle Forager Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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The Truffle Forager Podcast

Ben Sweet

Leisure

Frequency: 1 episode/85d. Total Eps: 18

On this podcast, we talk all things truffles, foraging and dogs. Helping you connect to nature and deepen your relationship with your canine companion. Hear from experts and enthusiasts as they share their inspiring stories and bits of wisdom with you.

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Data updated on 12/08/2026

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Score global : 22%

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Homegrown truffle hedges, climate change and truffle dog dynamics on truffle harvests with Prof. Paul Thomas

Tuesday, October 28, 2025 • Duration 01:03:32

🎙️ In This Episode
We speak with Professor Paul Thomas, founder of Mycorrhizal Systems and one of the leading figures in modern truffle cultivation.

We explore how homegrown truffle hedges can thrive in the UK, the impact of climate change on yields and quality, and how dog–handler dynamics can shape successful harvests.

Paul shares insights from the largest truffle hunting dataset ever collected and offers a glimpse into the future of truffle growing, research, and innovation.

Subscribe to the Truffle Forager email newsletter for more great content, updates and more. 👉 https://truffleforager.com----------------------------------------------------👋 FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA 👋📸 INSTAGRAM: @TruffleForager🐦 TWITTER: @TruffleForager⏰ TIKTOK: @TruffleForager💧 FACEBOOK: @TheTruffleForager ----------------------------------------------------LEARN MORE @ www.truffelforager.com

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Black Diamonds: Consulting at a Giant French Truffle Orchard

Thursday, August 14, 2025 • Duration 27:53

Host Ben Sweet recounts a whirlwind trip to central France to advise what may become one of the world’s largest truffle orchards, where a small team and six trained dogs are racing against time to increase their hunting efficiency to keep pace with booming truffle production.

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Does Traditional Scent Work Negatively Impact Truffle Dog Training?

Thursday, December 19, 2024 • Duration 09:33

In this episode, we tackle the question: Does traditional scent detection or nose work negatively impact truffle dog training? Learn about the benefits and potential challenges of mixing scent disciplines, how to ensure clarity for your dog, and why context and consistency are key to successful training.

If you’re passionate about truffle hunting and want to connect with like-minded enthusiasts, join the Truffle Dog Club at truffleforager.com for training, meetups, and a supportive community!

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British Guy Growing Truffles In France

Monday, May 27, 2024 • Duration 02:10:38

Join the Truffle Dog Club 🇬🇧 👉 https://truffleforager.com

In this episode of the Truffle Forager podcast, host Ben Sweet interviews Chris Bate, owner of Black Diamond Truffle Trees. They discuss Chris's move to Perigord, France, and his truffle business. Topics include the discovery of a wild tuber melanosporum truffle in the UK (WOW!), truffle dog training, truffle tree cultivation, and different truffle species. Chris explains the symbiotic relationship between truffles and trees and how animals spread truffle spores. They also cover the rarity, value, and varieties of truffles, the French truffle scene, and fake truffle products. Chris concludes with stories about training his truffle-hunting dog, Dougie, highlighting the dog's sense of smell, genetics, and the role of truffle flies in locating truffles.

Visit Chris's website here: https://www.blackdiamondtruffletrees.com/

For any purchases on Chris's site, use 20% Discount Coupon: "SWEETTRUFFLES20"

TAKEAWAYS:

Truffles can be found in the UK, including the highly prized tuber melanosporum.

The cultivation of truffle trees involves creating a symbiotic relationship between the tree roots and truffle mycelium.

Truffle dogs play a crucial role in locating truffles by sniffing out their distinct aroma.

Wild truffles can be found in unexpected locations, and animals contribute to the spread of truffle spores. Truffles are highly valued due to their rarity, not necessarily their quality.

The truffle scene in France is characterized by a strong obsession with truffles and a belief in the superiority of the peregrine truffle.

Fake truffle products, such as truffle oil, are common and can be deceptive.

Expert Pet Dog Trainer Takes Up Truffle Hunting With His New Malinois

Monday, May 6, 2024 • Duration 01:47:34

Join the Truffle Dog Club 🇬🇧 👉 https://truffleforager.com

On this episode I chat with leading UK-based dog trainer, Nick Benger who recently decided to teach his new malinois, Onyx, how to hunt truffles. Nick is a highly regarded dog trainer and has been training dogs for nearly 20 years starting when he was just 15. He's become a bit of a celebrity after being called up to the Amazon Prime Hit TV Show The PACK, to be their lead trainer. He now resides in Bristol and has a successful pet dog training company called Hound Plus.

Nick and I connected over a shared interest, dogs and truffle hutning. On this episode we talk about a wide array of general dog training principles and reveal some top tips for any aspiring truffle dog handler.
🎁 Download My Free Beginners Truffle Dog Training Guide 👉 https://truffleforager.com

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Everything You Need To Know Before Buying A REAL Truffle Dog - Louise Ferguson

Sunday, April 7, 2024 • Duration 01:26:27

Join the Truffle Dog Club 🇬🇧 👉 https://truffleforager.com In this episode, I sit down and chat with Louise Ferguson. She is a long-time Lagotto Romagnolo dog breeder based in the UK. She's also the Chairwoman of the UK Lagotto Society and has a tone of experience with the breed and with truffle hunting. We dive deep into the breed, why these dogs are perfect for truffle hunting, and what you should look out for if you're considering purchasing a Lagotto from a breeder. As well as dog training tips, we also learn about Louise's adventures competing with her Lagotto at THE premier Lagotto-focused Truffle Hunting competition in Italy.

Learn more about Louise here: https://louisemizenferguson.com/

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How A Lagotto Dog Won The 2023 UK Truffle Dog Championships - With Jon McGowan

Monday, February 12, 2024 • Duration 01:53:10

Join the Truffle Dog Club 🇬🇧 👉 https://truffleforager.com

In this interview, Ben talks with friend and fellow truffle Nerd, Jon McGowan, who recently won 1st place at The UK Truffle Dog Championships 2023 with his Lagotto Romagnolo, Tembo. In this episode, we learn about how Jon did it, and what his experience was like and he reveals several bombshells of information when it comes to truffle hunting and dog training. Enjoy.

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ALANA MCGEE - How To Hunt Truffles With Dogs, An Overview of American Truffles, The Perfect Truffle Dog Behavioural Sequence and How To Achieve It + Eating Truffles with Coconut

Tuesday, June 27, 2023 • Duration 01:46:21

Alana McGee is the founder of The Truffle Dog Company and is a world-renowned truffle consultant and truffle dog trainer.

Learn more about Alana here: https://truffledogcompany.com In this episode, we cover:

00:02:26 - Alana McGee’s story and how she got started training truffle dogs 00:09:05 - What different truffle species do you find in North America - An Overview 00:18:14 - Alana’s favourite truffles and what different truffles smell like? 00:24:00 - Are there undiscovered areas where wild truffles might be growing? 00:28:00 - Truffle oil vs. real truffles for dog training 00:32:50 - How do you make your own truffle-scented oils? 00:37:10 - Alana shares what science and truffle research projects she’s excited about 00:41:00 - Alana talks about her dogs 00:43:10 - What are the most common things new truffle dog handlers struggle with? 00:46:50 - How to teach a dog to alert and stay at source 00:50:20 - What is the ideal truffle dog sequence to train for 00:58:00 - What do your advanced students commonly struggle with? 01:04:20 - How much do we need to worry about scent contamination when training our dogs? 01:08:50 - What is the best way to explore new truffle areas with your dog? 01:16:00 - How to use your “que” when training your dog hunt truffles 01:17:35 - Alana shares what she loves most about her work in the truffle industry 01:20:45 - Alana talks about truffle hunting in Europe 01:29:12 - Raking for truffles vs using dogs 01:40:18 - Alana’s favourite way to eat truffles

Subscribe and share if you enjoy this episode!

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SAM WEBSTER: How To Wash Your Clothes With Conkers, Deadly Fungi Facts, Fermented Wild Garlic Recipes And Foraging For Your Mental Health

Sunday, May 21, 2023 • Duration 01:38:15

In this captivating podcast episode, I interview UK wild food expert and foraging guide, Sam Webster for www.foragingforages.com.

Sam delves into the fascinating world of unconventional laundry techniques, intriguing facts about deadly fungi, mouthwatering recipes featuring fermented wild garlic, and the therapeutic benefits of foraging for your mental health. Join us as we explore innovative ways to wash your clothes using conkers, uncover the mysteries of poisonous mushrooms, discover delightful culinary creations, and delve into the healing power of nature. Get ready for an engaging and enlightening journey through the realms of truffles, nature, and unconventional living. Tune in to the Truffle Forager Podcast with Sam Webster and embrace a unique blend of knowledge, inspiration, and natural wonders.

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PROFESSOR PAUL THOMAS: How To Cultivate Truffles In Your Garden, Woodlice Poo Truffle Experiment With The Kids During Lockdown, The Climate Change Effect On Truffles And Truffle Dog Training Tips

Episode 8

Tuesday, February 7, 2023 • Duration 01:29:04

Join The Truffle Forager email newsletter community here 👉 https://truffleforager.com

In this video podcast episode, I speak with one of the global leading experts on truffles and truffle cultivation, Professor Paul Thomas.

Timestamps👇

00:01:56 - Welcome and UK Truffle Festival Chat
00:03:24 - Paul's toy poodle future truffle dog
00:05:53 - Tuber Rufum truffle smells like bacon
00:06:57 - Paul Thomas on Dragon's Den
00:09:55 - First Successful Cultivation of Perigord Black Truffle (Tuber melanosporum) in UK
00:14:36 - Threats and opportunities for the truffle industry
00:16:40 - Climate change will cause truffle supply to collapse
00:22:00 - French truffle supply now 80 tonnes/year vs 1000 in 1970.
00:22:40 - How many truffle farmers are in the UK? 00:24:14 - What projects are exciting you right now? - Truffle Museum
00:25:16 - Truffle and insect home experiment for the kids during lockdown
00:29:23 - Truffles, Sex and DNA
00:34:42 - The process of truffle cultivation
00:36:50 - How to grow truffles at home in your garden
00:38:28 - How to correctly test your soil PH for truffle cultivation
00:42:05 - The Napa Truffle Festival
00:42:58 - Using a microscope to identify truffles
00:46:58 - How much do different truffle species vary under the microscope?
00:49:10 - What truffle dog training is Ben doing right now?
00:55:00 - How to develop drive in your truffle dog?
00:59:02 - How to you build a dogs drive toward a tennis ball?
01:06:25 - How truffle hunters can contribute to Paul's truffle research projects
01:07:30 - White truffles switching on and off their aroma within 24 hours
01:20:25 - White truffle cultivation progress update

🍄 ABOUT PROFESSOR PAUL THOMAS
---------------------------------------------------- After pitching his truffle cultivation business plan on Dragons Den back in 2005 (and winning), Professor Thomas founded Mycorrhizal Systems Ltd and 12 years later became the first successful cultivator of the famous Black Winter Truffle in the UK (Tuber Melanosporum). He has gone on to publish more than 30+ scientific articles and has contributed significantly to what we now know about truffles around the world. He was also kind enough to volunteer his time and be a headline speaker at our first UK Truffle Festival in Sussex in November 2022 → https://trufflefestival.co.uk/ You can contact Paul via Twitter @SummerTruffle or visit his website: https://plantationsystems.com/

The Truffle Forager Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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The Truffle Forager Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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