Our common nature is a musical journey with Yo-Yo Ma and me, Ana Gonzalez, through this complicated country.

We go into caves, onto boats, and up mountain trails to meet people, hear their stories, their poetry, and of course, play some music, all to reconnect to nature and get closer to the things we're missing.

Listen to Our Common Nature from WNYC, wherever you get podcasts.

It's Lynn Rosetta, Casper, with a splendid table.

Thank you. Flynn Rosetta Casper with a splendid table. Imagine this. Two wild truffles reaching out to each other across an abyss,

desperately trying to escape from their same-sex prisons.

Well, this is a scientific discovery.

While truffles cost so much because you can't cultivate them,

well now scientists know why.

Where other fungi reproduce without sex,

truffles are male and female, and they grow in same-sex clusters far apart. So if we can get an e-harmonie-style

matching system going for troubles, these $1,000-a-pound black lumps could be as cheap as a button

mushroom. Stay with us for other revelations this hour on the splendid table. on The Splendid Table.

This is The Splendid Table from APM American Public Media,

the show for people who love to eat.

I'm Lynn Rossetta, Casper.

Well, we have a running theme this week.

Inspiration, as in letting it in and taking a flyer on something you've not tried before.

For instance, on those nights when you hang on the refrigerator door, scanning the shelves for ideas,

and the only inspiration that comes is order pizza. Well, in those moments, you need the spirit of a cook who is constantly riffing, who's a master at turning the mundane into the magnificent.

Well, Diana Henry, British food writer Parac Salon, has this drilled down pat.

Her latest book is Salt, Sugar, Smoke.

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