A fungus only given a scientific name in 2014 has proved fascinating to both mycologists and psychedelics researchers alike. Eaten raw, Lanmaoa asiatica triggers vivid hallucinations, but, unlike almo

On a summer’s day, your garden is full of activity, with hoverflies, butterflies and bees flying from flower to flower. But that is only one slice of the action on your plot. In the ground beneath you

Across the country, small producers are rediscovering the ancient art of fermentation, with delicious results. Tom Howells samples British-made kefir, kombucha, kraut and more

Raised beds are often recommended for growing vegetables on heavy clay soil, as they improve drainage and allow you to control the soil conditions. I don’t have clay soil, but I do find them easier fo

Johnny Drain Adventures in Fermentation From ancient origins to culinary frontiers, an exploration of the microbes that shape the world we live in 320pp. Penguin Life. £20. Tim Spector Ferment The lif

When she died in 2024, Spain’s Maria Branyas was the world’s oldest woman. She was 117. Experts believe the secret to her longevity may have been the bacteria living in her gut – her microbiome – and