Mushrooms are often called a superfood because they are so nutrient-dense. They provide protein, fiber, and antioxidants. They contain essential vitamins and minerals. Even when we dehydrate them, they boast amazing nutritional value, which is why dried mushrooms and mushroom powders are such useful pantry items to have on hand. However, some of the most beneficial bioactive components in mushrooms, called beta-glucans—are in the chitin—the mushroom’s cell wall layers—which cannot be broken down by the human digestive system. To access these bioactive components, we must first extract them. Enter mushroom extracts and mushroom extract powders!
Beta-glucans are naturally occurring, biologically active polysaccharides in the cell walls of certain plants, fungi, bacteria, and algae. They have been extracted for thousands of years in Eastern Medicine for their wellness-supporting constituents and studied for both heart and digestive support.*
Both mushroom powder and mushroom extract powder can be a beneficial part of your wellness plan. Mushroom powder is made from finely ground, whole, dehydrated mushrooms. As noted above, pure mushroom powder is an excellent way to boost nutrients in culinary recipes. Because the beneficial constituents are concentrated, adding a couple of tablespoons of powder to a soup, for example, is an easy way to boost nutrition and flavor. You can also capture some bioactive constituents simply by heating fresh or dried mushrooms (including mushroom powder) while cooking. However, to extract as much beta-glucans as possible, the mushroom material requires a solvent—in this case, hot water—to create a concentrated, bioavailable extract.
Mushroom extracts can be made using a single or double extraction process, depending on which constituents you want to capture. A single extraction (also called a hot water extraction) is the simplest method and results in a nutritious mushroom decoction that contains the beneficial beta-glucans. And—here’s the really cool bit—the decoction can be evaporated to create a mushroom extract powder that is biologically active! In other words, a shelf-stable, easy-to-use powder with all the nutrients and the beta-glucans.
If you’re a consummate DIYer, making a hot water extraction is simple, but requires special equipment to effectively evaporate the resulting decoction to create extract powder—which explains why we’re so excited about our new line of mushroom extract powders!
Our one-to-one extract powders start with whole organic mushrooms ground into fine powder. The mushroom powder is then combined with water and decocted at 194°-210° Fahrenheit for three hours, after which much of the liquid is evaporated to leave behind a concentrated extract. While the mushroom extract is still in this fluid state, complete with all the raw mushroom material, it goes into a spray drier that produces the final extract powder. Because the raw material is still in the extraction fluid, the extract powder contains all the original constituents and the now-bioavailable beta-glucans.
Note: It might be tempting to assume that if one extraction is good, two would be better, but that’s not necessarily the case. We have a great blog about how to do a double extraction, and a double extraction is often beneficial for mushrooms high in triterpenes (like reishi, for instance). But alcohol harms beta-glucans, so if your goal is to capture as much of the beta-glucans as possible, a hot water extraction makes the most sense.
How to Use Mushroom Extract Powders
We currently offer six mushroom extract powders so you can select ones that best meet your wellness goals: Chaga, cordyceps, lion’s mane, maitake, reishi, and turkey tail. These extract powders are ready to use and can be encapsulated or mixed into food and drink recipes.
*It’s important to note that because mushroom extract powders are so concentrated, you don’t want to take as much as you would of a regular mushroom powder. One teaspoon once a day is generally the recommended amount, but you should consult your healthcare professional to determine individual dosage.
We particularly like adding mushroom extract powders to beverages. These Mountain Rose Herbs favorite recipes are excellent options for adding a mushroom extract boost:
All things Golden Milk: Golden Milk Powder Blend + Latte Recipe, Golden Milk Protein Power Ball Recipe, Vegan Golden Milk Ice Cream (No Machine)
Chai Goodness: Reishi Mushroom Chai Recipe for Immune Support, Adaptogenic Chai Tea Recipe with Astragalus, Tasty Turmeric Chai Tea
Herbal Coffees & Cocoas: Brazilian Hot Cocoa with Guarana, Herbal Coffee Substitute with Roasted Chicory and Dandelion Root, How to Make Cold Brew Coffee + 3 Herbal Additions
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications. For educational purposes only.
You may also enjoy:
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications. For educational purposes only.
Topics: Herbalism, Specialty Ingredients, Tea & Herbal Drinks
Heidi is an award winning freelance writer with a passion for urban homesteading. She has been honored to receive a number of literary prizes including the esteemed Pushcart Prize and an Individual Artists Award in Creative Writing from the Oregon Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. She is proud to have earned a certificate of completion for the Herbal Medicine Making Course at the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine. When she isn’t working in the garden, cleaning the henhouse, preserving food, crafting herbal formulations, or writing and editing content for really fantastic small businesses, you’ll likely find her with her nose in a book.
Mushrooms are often called a superfood because they are so nutrient-dense. They provide protein, fiber, and antioxidants. They contain essential vitamins and minerals. Even when we dehydrate them, they boast amazing nutritional value, which is why dried mushrooms and mushroom powders are such useful pantry items to have on hand. However, some of the most beneficial bioactive components in mushrooms, called beta-glucans—are in the chitin—the mushroom’s cell wall layers—which cannot be broken down by the human digestive system. To access these bioactive components, we must first extract them. Enter mushroom extracts and mushroom extract powders!
Beta-glucans are naturally occurring, biologically active polysaccharides in the cell walls of certain plants, fungi, bacteria, and algae. They have been extracted for thousands of years in Eastern Medicine for their wellness-supporting constituents and studied for both heart and digestive support.*
Both mushroom powder and mushroom extract powder can be a beneficial part of your wellness plan. Mushroom powder is made from finely ground, whole, dehydrated mushrooms. As noted above, pure mushroom powder is an excellent way to boost nutrients in culinary recipes. Because the beneficial constituents are concentrated, adding a couple of tablespoons of powder to a soup, for example, is an easy way to boost nutrition and flavor. You can also capture some bioactive constituents simply by heating fresh or dried mushrooms (including mushroom powder) while cooking. However, to extract as much beta-glucans as possible, the mushroom material requires a solvent—in this case, hot water—to create a concentrated, bioavailable extract.
Mushroom extracts can be made using a single or double extraction process, depending on which constituents you want to capture. A single extraction (also called a hot water extraction) is the simplest method and results in a nutritious mushroom decoction that contains the beneficial beta-glucans. And—here’s the really cool bit—the decoction can be evaporated to create a mushroom extract powder that is biologically active! In other words, a shelf-stable, easy-to-use powder with all the nutrients and the beta-glucans.
If you’re a consummate DIYer, making a hot water extraction is simple, but requires special equipment to effectively evaporate the resulting decoction to create extract powder—which explains why we’re so excited about our new line of mushroom extract powders!
Our one-to-one extract powders start with whole organic mushrooms ground into fine powder. The mushroom powder is then combined with water and decocted at 194°-210° Fahrenheit for three hours, after which much of the liquid is evaporated to leave behind a concentrated extract. While the mushroom extract is still in this fluid state, complete with all the raw mushroom material, it goes into a spray drier that produces the final extract powder. Because the raw material is still in the extraction fluid, the extract powder contains all the original constituents and the now-bioavailable beta-glucans.
Note: It might be tempting to assume that if one extraction is good, two would be better, but that’s not necessarily the case. We have a great blog about how to do a double extraction, and a double extraction is often beneficial for mushrooms high in triterpenes (like reishi, for instance). But alcohol harms beta-glucans, so if your goal is to capture as much of the beta-glucans as possible, a hot water extraction makes the most sense.
How to Use Mushroom Extract Powders
We currently offer six mushroom extract powders so you can select ones that best meet your wellness goals: Chaga, cordyceps, lion’s mane, maitake, reishi, and turkey tail. These extract powders are ready to use and can be encapsulated or mixed into food and drink recipes.
*It’s important to note that because mushroom extract powders are so concentrated, you don’t want to take as much as you would of a regular mushroom powder. One teaspoon once a day is generally the recommended amount, but you should consult your healthcare professional to determine individual dosage.
We particularly like adding mushroom extract powders to beverages. These Mountain Rose Herbs favorite recipes are excellent options for adding a mushroom extract boost:
All things Golden Milk: Golden Milk Powder Blend + Latte Recipe, Golden Milk Protein Power Ball Recipe, Vegan Golden Milk Ice Cream (No Machine)
Chai Goodness: Reishi Mushroom Chai Recipe for Immune Support, Adaptogenic Chai Tea Recipe with Astragalus, Tasty Turmeric Chai Tea
Herbal Coffees & Cocoas: Brazilian Hot Cocoa with Guarana, Herbal Coffee Substitute with Roasted Chicory and Dandelion Root, How to Make Cold Brew Coffee + 3 Herbal Additions
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications. For educational purposes only.
You may also enjoy:
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications. For educational purposes only.
Topics: Herbalism, Specialty Ingredients, Tea & Herbal Drinks
Heidi is an award winning freelance writer with a passion for urban homesteading. She has been honored to receive a number of literary prizes including the esteemed Pushcart Prize and an Individual Artists Award in Creative Writing from the Oregon Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. She is proud to have earned a certificate of completion for the Herbal Medicine Making Course at the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine. When she isn’t working in the garden, cleaning the henhouse, preserving food, crafting herbal formulations, or writing and editing content for really fantastic small businesses, you’ll likely find her with her nose in a book.
