Although cultures around the world have been using mushrooms as medicine for centuries, they are finally getting recognition for their many health benefits in the west.
This superfood packs a long list of nutrients (including beta-glucan content), which can supercharge immune systems and potentially fend off sickness.
From regulating blood pressure to cancer support, it’s no wonder that so many people are turning to medicinal mushrooms for their remarkable healing effects.
Although medicinal mushrooms can be consumed in their whole form, many are using mushroom powder to get a more palatable, concentrated version of its nutrients that can be used in a variety of ways.
Mushroom powder can be added to anything, from a morning brew to a mid-afternoon protein smoothie. Let’s also not forget homemade mushroom teas and tinctures, which are known for giving you the most health benefits!
Mushroom powder is simply dehydrated mushrooms that have been ground into a powder. The powder may vary in consistency and granule size depending on the grinding method. Any mushroom can be pulverized and used in powder form. From chaga to porcini powders, there is no limit of mushroom creations for an imaginative chef or mushroom enthusiast.
For those who would rather opt out of the work to create a mushroom powder, there are commercial brands that also sell mushroom powder extract.
Generally, this mushroom extract is pre-extracted using either hot water or alcohol for at-home use.
With so many mushroom powders on the market, one might wonder why they should make their own. Simply put, like cooking anything at home, the cook can control the quality of the ingredients and the execution of the recipe. Not all mushroom supplement brands are created equal, and the best mushroom supplement brands can be pricier than making your own high quality mushroom powder for use in teas and tinctures.
Are you sold on creating a mushroom powder at home? If so, you’re in luck because you have several ways to accomplish this. In fact, more than likely you have more than one of the common kitchen products at home to grind them. Take a look below to get a sneak peek of the different ways to grind mushrooms to choose your own mushroom grinding adventure!
An electric coffee grinder is one of the best ways to make mushroom powder as it grinds food the most consistently without missing any pieces. Grinding your medicinal or gourmet mushrooms in one of these babies is a snap. Break up your dried mushrooms and put them into an automatic coffee grinder for a quick and easy mushroom powder. Consider the amount of mushrooms you need to grind and the size of your automatic coffee grinder to determine if this is the right tool to use.
A food processor is another common household item to grind up mushrooms. Simply pop dried mushrooms into the food processor and grind them until they’re powder-fine. Use the pulse feature on and off of your food processor to quickly break up larger chunks. Once the mushroom pieces become smaller, continue to process until they become powder. For any straggling chunky pieces that remain, remove them with a strainer and regrind them in your processor.
Place dehydrated mushrooms into a small blender, like a magic bullet, to pulverize them into a powder-like consistency. Similar to a food processor, you may find that small chunks of mushrooms get missed using this method, even if you break them into smaller pieces first. Depending on how many mushrooms you choose to grind, you may find it easier to handle the remaining chunks using hand tools like a mortar and pestle or a pepper mill.
A mortar and pestle may take a little more “elbow grease,” but is another easy way to grind up your mushrooms into powder. Because this is a more manual intensive method, you may find that this is best for grinding up remaining chunks using any of the more automatic kitchen tool methods discussed above. Grinding multiple mushrooms using this method alone will take much longer than using an automatic kitchen tool.
A hand mill is a great mushroom grinding method if you don’t have an automatic kitchen tool on hand like an automatic coffee grinder, food processor, or small blender. Simply add the dry mushrooms into the hand mill and turn until they get to a desired powder consistency.
A smaller alternative to a hand mill is a pepper mill, which may be best used to continue grinding any mushroom pieces that were missed in a larger hand mill. Plus with a pepper mill you can easily add any mushroom spices straight from the mill to a plate of food for seasoning.
Have a cheese grater with a handle at home? If so, you’re in luck. You can grind mushrooms with this type of common kitchen tool as well. We definitely recommend using cheese graters with handles, as those without would be more difficult and less safe to use. This is a great tool to use if you have a small to medium amount of mushrooms to grind.
Finally, a meat grinder is another great kitchen tool to use to make mushroom powder. We recommend this method when grinding a large quantity of mushrooms into powder, otherwise you may be left with having to grind smaller chunks by hand because there isn’t enough volume to get them through the grinder. Simply add your pre-cut dried mushrooms into the meat grinder and twist the handle to grind.
Looking for an easier way to incorporate mushroom powder into your routine? Then using a pre-made mushroom powder may be the way to go. If you're looking to get medicinal benefit from your powder, then make sure you choose a mushroom product that has been properly extracted.
Here at Remeday, we've done extensive research on some of the top mushroom brands. We only recommend products that we've tried ourselves and would recommend to friends and family.
Some of the top mushroom powder extract brands include:
Bring the power of five medicinal and functional mushrooms to your day with this incredible immune-strengthening blend. Plus, check out their entire collection of powders.
We can't get enough of FreshCap's incredible powders. In fact, FreshCap was one of the first brands we discovered, researched, and recommended. Check out their capsules as well!
If you're looking for an easy way to get maximum mushroom benefits, the Daily 10 Mix is the way to go. Mushroom Revival is an incredible, small, US-based company. You may have heard their popular podcast as well!
All edible and gourmet mushrooms can be ground into a powder for storage or use in tea or tinctures. But popular medicinal mushroom types include:
If you’'ve been studying up on mushrooms, you’ve likely come across chaga for its antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds and other health benefits. Creating a tincture is one of the most popular ways to consume this mushroom, but putting chaga powder into your morning coffee or making it into a tea is just as common. Grind your chaga at home and get creative with a morning mushroom drink recipe!
It’s no surprise that lion’s mane is another popular medicinal mushroom to grind into powder as it can help support a healthy nervous system, memory and keep you focused and alert. Grind lion’s mane mushrooms and add them to your morning coffee to support your mood and creativity for the day.
The reishi mushroom has long been known for its immunity boosting benefits and has even been named the “mushroom of immortality.” Grind reishi mushrooms to make a delicious reishi powder tea and enjoy benefits like anti-aging, anxiety relief, better sleep, weight management and much more!
Coffee has been consumed for centuries, but recently it’s been taken to the next level with the addition of cordyceps mushroom powder (or extract powder). Many drink cordyceps coffee for its ability to improve athletic performance, blood pressure, and energy levels. So grind some cordyceps mushrooms at home and get to making this wonder brew.
Donned as nature’s powerful remedy for immune function, turkey tail mushroom powder touts powerful health benefits. From improved gut health to a supplemental treatment for certain cancers alongside chemotherapy, this medicinal mushroom is one you’ll surely want to grind and make a powder for a tea or tincture.
Although mostly known for its flavor in cuisine, shiitake can be used to treat the common cold and improve gut immunity and anti-inflammatory response. Grind shiitake mushrooms at home to add a little umami to your food and reap some great health benefits too.
This “dancing mushroom,” as nicknamed by the Japanese, is an adaptogen (read: disease fighter) and would be a great addition to your homemade mushroom powder collection. Grind maitake into powder and make a tea or tincture to get serious beta-glucan powers that can aid in the treatment of various cancers, cholesterol and blood glucose issues.
Oyster mushrooms are well-known in the culinary world, but did you know that grinding them into a powder can have some pretty awesome benefits too? Rich in nutrients, these mushrooms pack a ton of antioxidants and may even benefit your heart health as well. Let’s get grinding!
Psychedelics are the ideal mushroom to use as a power so you can add them to chocolates, teas, or other baked goods. Check out our complete guide on storing your magic mushrooms here.
Any kind of mushroom can be dried and stored as a powder including all of the gourmet mushrooms you're used to finding at the grocery store. This includes Agaricus varieties (like button and portobello).
Before grinding your mushrooms into powder, there are a few universal tips to follow regardless of method. Follow these below, and you’ll have a stress-free mushroom powder making experience.
1. First, you’ll want to make sure that you fully dehydrate your medicinal or gourmet mushrooms using one or a combination of these at home methods:
We've compiled a complete guide to drying your mushrooms here.
2. Break the mushrooms into smaller pieces using your hands or kitchen scissors before adding them to your desired kitchen tool.
3. Store your ground mushrooms in glass or steel jars with a tight lid. Using high-quality airtight sealed jars ensures that the mushroom powder stays dry and maintains the mushroom’s flavor.
4. Make tincture, which transforms medicinal mushrooms into a liquid format, for long-term use and maximum benefits. Tincture is an extract that uses alcohol to draw out the beneficial compounds from mushrooms so that you get the most out of it.
Dosage for medicinal or functional mushrooms can vary from person-to-person based on their health history, size, and weight. Generally, one teaspoon a day is recommended for mushroom powder.
It’s important that each person consider their own health status and risks when adding a new daily supplement to their routine. It’s best to test out smaller doses to learn your tolerance before increasing your daily dosage.
Yes, it’s safe to eat! But it’s best suited for use in tea, tinctures, smoothies, soups, and other liquids as it’s not appetizing to consume on its own. Plus, extraction will help you get maximum benefits from your powder!
Want to make a delicious and nutritious mushroom tea out of the homemade mushroom powder you made? It’s easier than you think, and it provides so many benefits.
Steeping mushrooms to reap their benefits can be a long process, but you’ll be happy to learn that grinding your medicinal mushrooms into powder will cut your tea making process time by a lot. You’ll simply add about half a teaspoon of your medicinal mushroom powder to 6-8 ounces of hot water and that’s it!
Prefer to kick things up a notch? Add some dairy-free milk and about a tablespoon of sweetener of your choice to your mushroom tea mix, then blend until frothy. Now that’s one delicious mug of mushroom tea latte!
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