In a remarkable breakthrough, scientists from the University of Oxford, Durham University, and the University of Toronto have uncovered a significant underground reserve of natural hydrogen. This discovery, detailed in Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, offers a glimpse into a potential clean energy jackpot that could address global energy needs for an extensive period. While the natural hydrogen reservoirs have historically been overlooked, researchers are now focusing on an 'exploration recipe' that considers various geological factors to access these deposits. The extraction of this natural hydrogen, however, presents formidable challenges. The hydrogen is deeply embedded within the Earth's crust, where hydrogen-hungry microbes pose a significant obstacle by consuming the gas before humans can harvest it. Additionally, promising locations for these reserves are situated in hard-to-reach layers of the Earth's crust, further complicating the extraction process. Professor Chris Ballentine likens the exploration of natural hydrogen to baking a soufflé, emphasizing the importance of getting all the ingredients right for success. Researchers are exploring rock types, fluid dynamics, and geological structures in their pursuit of commercially viable hydrogen fields. Snowfox Discovery Ltd., an exploration company, is spearheading efforts to identify accessible hydrogen stores worldwide with the goal of scaling up the production of carbon-free hydrogen for future energy needs. While the road to unlocking Earth's hydrogen potential is challenging, the industry's growth potential is immense. With hydrogen being a crucial component of clean energy and fertilizer production, the global hydrogen industry is expected to reach $1 trillion by 2050. Researchers remain optimistic that through continued research and investment, humanity can harness the Earth's hidden hydrogen potential to usher in a new era of sustainable energy usage.