On January 6, the first-ever Alpine Truffle Museum in China was inaugurated at the Fuli Palace of Kunming Botanical Garden. Established by the skincare brand “DR Plant,” the museum focuses on showcasing the unique allure and value of truffles through innovative methods. This initiative not only supports the conservation of black truffles (tuber melanosporum) but also injects fresh energy into biodiversity protection efforts.

Protecting truffle ecosystems and enhancing public understanding

As a cultural icon recognized in both Eastern and Western traditions, black truffles have a history dating back to ancient Rome around 2000 BCE. For centuries, black truffles have been prized delicacies among European nobility and royalty. Known for their demanding growth requirements, truffles thrive in symbiotic relationships with plants, requiring specific soil conditions. Their polysaccharides and restorative agents contribute to their reputation as the “gecko of the biological world” for their remarkable self-healing properties. In China, truffles are considered a rare and precious wild fungus, primarily found in eastern, western, and southeastern Yunnan. With an annual yield of approximately 300 tons, Yunnan produces 60% of the country's total truffle harvest.  

“Biodiversity is of paramount importance. We have partnered with the Kunming Institute of Botany for many years, investing over 10 million yuan annually to promote agricultural development in Yunnan and effectively support biodiversity conservation,” said Xie Yong, Vice Chairman of the Wu Zhengyi Science Foundation and Chairman of Beijing DR Plant Biotechnology Co., Ltd.

To better protect truffle ecosystems and enhance public understanding, DR Plant has established the country’s first Alpine Truffle Museum. By integrating ethnic culture into its brand, the museum promotes the concept of alpine plant-based skincare. The museum experience is designed like a journey through a natural time capsule, vividly presenting the growth history of black truffles. Integrating education, exhibition, interaction, and experience, it encourages visitors to explore the symbiotic relationships between fungi, plants, and humans, highlighting the beauty of nature and humanity through an innovative perspective.  

“As a domestic brand deeply rooted in alpine plant-based skincare, DR Plant is committed to delivering safe and effective products. This museum in Kunming serves as a public platform for immersive learning, where visitors can discover the relationship between truffles, ecology, and skincare,” remarked Qin Lan, an Alpine Truffle Experience Ambassador, during the opening ceremony.  

The museum’s design embodies DR Plant’s green philosophy, emphasizing the harmony between humans and nature, as well as between science and art. The building’s mirrored exterior reflects the surrounding natural landscape, achieving seamless integration with its environment. Inside, interactive installations and curated zones comprehensively reveal the mysteries and value of black truffles.  

Deep Integration of Industry, Academia, Research, and Application to Empower Biodiversity Conservation

To effectively utilize biological resources and integrate scientific research with industrial applications, DR Plant has maintained a 20-year strategic partnership with the Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Together, they established the “Kunming Institute of Botany - DR Plant R&D Center,” which leverages traditional Chinese knowledge of plant-based skincare to conduct in-depth research on alpine plants for skincare applications.  

Xu Jianchu, Chief Scientist at the World Agroforestry Centre and Distinguished Researcher at the Kunming Institute of Botany, noted, “As a symbiotic fungus, truffles serve as an important bridge connecting the plant and animal kingdoms. However, black truffles don’t grow just anywhere—they require specific soil conditions, particularly alkaline soils. Such soils are increasingly rare, which makes their natural habitats even more limited.”  

These stringent natural conditions make cultivating black truffles an exceptionally challenging task. Scientific methods and extensive expertise are applied during cultivation to assess factors such as sheen, fullness, and maturity, ensuring that each black truffle reaches its optimal quality.

Xu also emphasized truffles’ ecological, nutritional, and cosmetic value, noting that while Chinese black truffles rival French truffles in nutritional value, they lag significantly in harvesting techniques and global recognition. “Truffles exemplify harmonious coexistence in the ecosystem. We need to bring Chinese wisdom, technology, and products to the global stage to fully utilize and protect truffles. The Alpine Truffle Museum plays a crucial role in this effort, helping Yunnan truffles reach international markets.” 

Previously, Dr. Plant donated 30 million yuan to complete the botanical landscaping of the Fuli Palace greenhouse complex and provided funding for the Wu Zhengyi Botanical Award to advance academic research and cultivate talent in botany. By partnering with the Kunming Institute of Botany, the brand is transforming research findings into practical applications, raising public awareness of black truffles, advancing the truffle industry, and ensuring the effective use of biological resources.

Click here to view the Chinese report

(Editors: Amy, Jennifer)