How to Make a Mushroom Double Extraction

A variety of organic dried mushrooms

As more and more people discover the benefits of adding mushrooms to their herbal practice and culinary explorations, they are increasingly interested in how to best prepare and consume these fascinating fungi. Some mushrooms, like shiitakes, are well known and widely used in both cooking and herbalism. Others, like reishichaga and maitake, may be new to you. Some are wonderful culinary additions, while others have amazing health benefits, but less-than-amazing flavor. Making a decoction with some of these mushrooms is often preferable. However, to get all of the beneficial constituents from mushrooms, a “double extraction” is the way to go.

Mushrooms contain some constituents that are water soluble, called beta-glucans, and different constituents that are alcohol soluble, called triterpenes. A double extraction pulls out all of the constituents and has the added benefit of resulting in a shelf stable end product.

Making a double extraction is actually very similar to making a tincture with plant material. The process is simple, and we’ve put together this easy step-by-step guide to help you create a mushroom double extraction of your own.

Shop Organic Mushrooms for Health

Dried chaga mushroom pieces being poured in a pot.

Make a Mushroom Double Extraction

Ingredients

  • Organic (and consciously harvested) dried mushrooms such as reishimaitakechaga, or shiitake
  • 80 proof or higher alcohol (I use vodka)
  • Springwater or filtered water

Dried mushrooms and a jar of alcohol in preparation for a mushroom double extraction.

Directions

  1. Fill a quart-sized glass jar halfway with dried mushrooms.
  2. Fill jar with alcohol, making sure it completely covers the mushrooms, but leave about a 1/2-inch space at the top of the jar. Place parchment paper between jar and lid to prevent the alcohol from corroding the lid.
  3. Let jar sit on the counter for a month. Shake daily.
  4. When ready, strain mushroom-infused alcohol into another jar. This is your alcohol extraction. Set aside both alcohol extract and mushrooms while you prepare the next step of the double extraction.
  5. Bring half a gallon of water to a simmer in a stock pot. Add the mushrooms from the alcohol extract to the simmering water.
  6. Simmer the mushrooms for about 2 hours, until the water has reduced to approximately 8-16 ounces. Make sure to keep an eye on the water level, as you don’t want it to completely evaporate. You may need to add water to the stock pot throughout the process.
  7. Remove from heat and let cool.
  8. Strain and compost the mushrooms using a funnel and cheesecloth, reserving the mushroom-infused water. This is your water extract.
  9. Combine the water extract with the alcohol extract. Now you have a mushroom double extract that’s shelf stable!
Pro Tips
  • The alcohol percentage should be somewhere between 25% and 35%, making the double extraction shelf stable.
  • Don’t forget to label your new mushroom double extract with the ingredients and date it was made (when the alcohol and water extracts were combined).
  • To maximize extraction, shake the alcohol extract jar daily if not more often.

Looking for more info on extraction? 

Explore Our Guide to Making Tinctures

You may also be interested in: 

Mushroom Extract: How to Make a Double Extraction Pinterest pin for Mountain Rose Herbs

 


Topics: Recipes, Herbalism

Mason

Written by Mason on October 4, 2021

Mason Hutchison is the founder of HerbRally, a podcast and website that promotes herbalism education and events. He has completed herbalism apprenticeships at the Columbines School of Botanical Studies and the Arctos School of Herbal and Botanical Studies. Mason is the Events & Outreach Strategist for Mountain Rose Herbs. His day-to-day work involves organizing community events such as the Free Herbalism Project, as well as attending herbal conferences throughout the country. He is the co-organizer of one of the longest running herbal events in the US, the Breitenbush Herbal Conference. He is also on the board of directors for the Eugene Tea Festival. He has previously volunteered for the Occupy Medical herb team and the Native Plant Society of Oregon – Emerald Chapter. Mason is a proud father, avid basketball and ping pong player, spring water gatherer, and an enthusiast in the art of frugal nutrition.


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How to Make a Mushroom Double Extraction

A variety of organic dried mushrooms

As more and more people discover the benefits of adding mushrooms to their herbal practice and culinary explorations, they are increasingly interested in how to best prepare and consume these fascinating fungi. Some mushrooms, like shiitakes, are well known and widely used in both cooking and herbalism. Others, like reishichaga and maitake, may be new to you. Some are wonderful culinary additions, while others have amazing health benefits, but less-than-amazing flavor. Making a decoction with some of these mushrooms is often preferable. However, to get all of the beneficial constituents from mushrooms, a “double extraction” is the way to go.

Mushrooms contain some constituents that are water soluble, called beta-glucans, and different constituents that are alcohol soluble, called triterpenes. A double extraction pulls out all of the constituents and has the added benefit of resulting in a shelf stable end product.

Making a double extraction is actually very similar to making a tincture with plant material. The process is simple, and we’ve put together this easy step-by-step guide to help you create a mushroom double extraction of your own.

Shop Organic Mushrooms for Health

Dried chaga mushroom pieces being poured in a pot.

Make a Mushroom Double Extraction

Ingredients

  • Organic (and consciously harvested) dried mushrooms such as reishimaitakechaga, or shiitake
  • 80 proof or higher alcohol (I use vodka)
  • Springwater or filtered water

Dried mushrooms and a jar of alcohol in preparation for a mushroom double extraction.

Directions

  1. Fill a quart-sized glass jar halfway with dried mushrooms.
  2. Fill jar with alcohol, making sure it completely covers the mushrooms, but leave about a 1/2-inch space at the top of the jar. Place parchment paper between jar and lid to prevent the alcohol from corroding the lid.
  3. Let jar sit on the counter for a month. Shake daily.
  4. When ready, strain mushroom-infused alcohol into another jar. This is your alcohol extraction. Set aside both alcohol extract and mushrooms while you prepare the next step of the double extraction.
  5. Bring half a gallon of water to a simmer in a stock pot. Add the mushrooms from the alcohol extract to the simmering water.
  6. Simmer the mushrooms for about 2 hours, until the water has reduced to approximately 8-16 ounces. Make sure to keep an eye on the water level, as you don’t want it to completely evaporate. You may need to add water to the stock pot throughout the process.
  7. Remove from heat and let cool.
  8. Strain and compost the mushrooms using a funnel and cheesecloth, reserving the mushroom-infused water. This is your water extract.
  9. Combine the water extract with the alcohol extract. Now you have a mushroom double extract that’s shelf stable!
Pro Tips
  • The alcohol percentage should be somewhere between 25% and 35%, making the double extraction shelf stable.
  • Don’t forget to label your new mushroom double extract with the ingredients and date it was made (when the alcohol and water extracts were combined).
  • To maximize extraction, shake the alcohol extract jar daily if not more often.

Looking for more info on extraction? 

Explore Our Guide to Making Tinctures

You may also be interested in: 

Mushroom Extract: How to Make a Double Extraction Pinterest pin for Mountain Rose Herbs

 


Topics: Recipes, Herbalism

Mason

Written by Mason on October 4, 2021

Mason Hutchison is the founder of HerbRally, a podcast and website that promotes herbalism education and events. He has completed herbalism apprenticeships at the Columbines School of Botanical Studies and the Arctos School of Herbal and Botanical Studies. Mason is the Events & Outreach Strategist for Mountain Rose Herbs. His day-to-day work involves organizing community events such as the Free Herbalism Project, as well as attending herbal conferences throughout the country. He is the co-organizer of one of the longest running herbal events in the US, the Breitenbush Herbal Conference. He is also on the board of directors for the Eugene Tea Festival. He has previously volunteered for the Occupy Medical herb team and the Native Plant Society of Oregon – Emerald Chapter. Mason is a proud father, avid basketball and ping pong player, spring water gatherer, and an enthusiast in the art of frugal nutrition.