What Is Reishi Mushroom? A Guide to This Unique Mushroom

Reishi is one of the most recognizable mushrooms in the world of functional mushrooms.

Unlike mushrooms such as Oyster or Lion's Mane, which are commonly cooked and eaten fresh, Reishi has a hard, woody texture and naturally bitter flavor. Because of those characteristics, Reishi is more commonly prepared as a tea, powder, coffee blend, or mushroom extract.

At Shroom-Mates, we grow Reishi alongside our other mushrooms, including Oyster, Lion's Mane, Shiitake, Chestnut, and Pioppino. We also use Reishi in several of our products, including our double-extracted Reishi tincture, Mushroom Coffee, Blue Dream Tea, and Powerhouse Mushroom Chai.

Here's a closer look at Reishi, how it grows, how it's commonly prepared, and the different ways we use it at Shroom-Mates.

What Is Reishi Mushroom?

Reishi is the common name used for several closely related mushrooms in the Ganoderma genus.

One species commonly associated with Reishi is Ganoderma lingzhi.

Reishi has a distinctive appearance. Mature mushrooms can develop a shiny, lacquered-looking surface and a hard, woody structure.

Unlike culinary mushrooms such as Oyster or Shiitake, Reishi isn't typically eaten fresh.

Instead, it's commonly processed into products such as:

• Tinctures

• Extracts

• Tea

• Coffee blends

• Powder

• Other mushroom products

What Does Reishi Look Like?

Reishi can look quite different depending on how and where it grows.

The mushroom develops a hard fruiting body that can form a fan, shelf, or antler-like shape.

The surface can have a glossy appearance, while the color may range from reddish-brown to darker shades.

As the mushroom matures, it develops a much harder texture than the soft mushrooms people commonly cook.

That's one of the first things you'll notice if you grow Reishi alongside Oyster or Lion's Mane.

What Does Reishi Taste Like?

Reishi has a strong earthy and bitter flavor.

It's very different from the mild flavor of Lion's Mane or the savory flavor of Oyster mushrooms.

Because of its bitterness and woody texture, Reishi isn't usually treated as a mushroom you'd simply sauté in a skillet.

Instead, it's commonly prepared through extraction or brewing.

This is one reason you'll frequently find Reishi in tinctures, teas, coffee blends, and extracts.

How Is Reishi Grown?

Reishi is a wood-loving mushroom, which means it naturally grows on woody material.

At Shroom-Mates, Reishi is one of the varieties we grow alongside our other gourmet and functional mushrooms.

Our mushroom operation uses a substrate made from hardwood fuel pellets and soy hull pellets.

We also make our own grain spawn using locally sourced milo before inoculating our growing substrate.

You can learn more about our growing process here:

How We Grow Mushrooms at Shroom-Mates

How Is Reishi Commonly Used?

Because of its texture and flavor, Reishi is generally processed before use.

Some of the most common ways to use Reishi include:

• Tinctures

• Liquid extracts

• Tea

• Coffee

• Mushroom blends

• Powder

At Shroom-Mates, we've developed several different ways to enjoy Reishi, depending on what fits your routine.

What Does Double-Extracted Reishi Mean?

If you're shopping for Reishi tinctures, you may come across the term double extracted.

So what does that mean?

A double-extraction process uses two different extraction methods when producing the mushroom extract.

Mushrooms contain a variety of naturally occurring compounds, and different compounds can have different properties during extraction.

Using two extraction methods allows the process to target a broader range of compounds than relying on a single extraction method.

At Shroom-Mates, our Reishi tincture is double extracted.

We think it's important for customers to understand not just what mushroom is in their product, but also how the mushroom was processed.

How to Use Reishi Tincture

If you're using a Reishi tincture, start by following the serving instructions on the product label.

Depending on the product, a tincture can be:

Added to Water

Add the recommended serving to water for a simple way to use the extract.

Added to Coffee

Reishi tincture can be added to coffee if the product directions allow it.

Added to Tea

You can also add a Reishi tincture to tea or another beverage you already enjoy.

Used According to the Product Directions

Some tinctures are designed to be taken directly.

Always follow the directions for the specific product you're using.

Reishi in Shroom-Mates Mushroom Coffee and Tea

At Shroom-Mates, we use Reishi in several of our beverages, giving you different ways to enjoy this mushroom.

Mushroom Coffee

Our Shroom-Mates Mushroom Coffee combines Reishi and Lion's Mane with Arabica coffee.

If you're already a coffee drinker, this is an easy way to enjoy Reishi in a familiar morning beverage.

Shop Shroom-Mates Mushroom Coffee

Blue Dream Tea

Reishi is also included in our Blue Dream Tea.

This gives you a tea-based option for enjoying Reishi without coffee.

Shop Shroom-Mates Blue Dream Tea

Powerhouse Mushroom Chai

Reishi is also part of our Powerhouse Mushroom Chai.

The warm spices in chai pair well with the earthy character of Reishi, creating another way to incorporate the mushroom into a beverage.

Shop Shroom-Mates Powerhouse Mushroom Chai

Reishi Tincture

For a concentrated liquid option, our double-extracted Reishi tincture provides another convenient way to use Reishi.

Shop Shroom-Mates Reishi Tincture

Reishi vs. Mushroom Powder

Reishi can also be found in powdered form.

Mushroom powder is made by drying and grinding mushroom material into a fine powder.

Powder can be incorporated into beverages and recipes depending on the product and its intended use.

A tincture, on the other hand, is a concentrated liquid extract.

The best format depends on how you want to use Reishi.

Why Is Reishi Commonly Extracted?

Reishi's hard, woody structure makes it very different from mushrooms that can simply be cooked and eaten.

Extraction provides a convenient way to turn the mushroom into a concentrated liquid or other usable form.

That's why you'll commonly see Reishi in:

• Tinctures

• Liquid extracts

• Teas

• Coffee

• Powders

What Should You Look for When Buying Reishi?

If you're comparing Reishi products, there are several things worth checking.

Mushroom Species

Look for the specific mushroom species rather than a vague description.

Product Form

Decide whether you want:

• Dried mushroom

• Powder

• Tea

• Tincture

• Extract

• Coffee blend

Extraction Method

If you're buying a tincture or extract, look for information about how the mushroom was extracted.

If a product is double extracted, the company should be able to explain what that means for its process.

Ingredients

Read the ingredient list and make sure you understand what you're buying.

Serving Instructions

The product should clearly explain how much to use and how to incorporate it into your routine.

Why We Grow Reishi at Shroom-Mates

At Shroom-Mates, Reishi is one of several mushroom varieties we grow ourselves.

Our operation also includes Oyster, Lion's Mane, Shiitake, Chestnut, and Pioppino mushrooms.

Growing these different varieties gives us firsthand experience with how differently each mushroom develops.

Reishi is particularly interesting because of its hard structure, slower growth characteristics, and very different appearance compared with mushrooms such as Oyster and Lion's Mane.

Some of the mushrooms we grow are sold fresh, while others are dried and used in Shroom-Mates products.

From Mushroom Farm to Finished Product

One of the things that makes Shroom-Mates different is that our relationship with mushrooms starts with growing them.

Our mushrooms begin with grain spawn and growing substrate before moving through colonization, fruiting, harvesting, and processing.

For Reishi, that finished mushroom can eventually become part of a tincture, coffee, tea, or other mushroom product.

That means there's a real connection between the mushrooms we grow and the products we make.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Reishi edible?

Reishi is technically a mushroom, but its hard, woody texture and bitter flavor make it very different from culinary mushrooms such as Oyster or Shiitake. It's more commonly prepared as an extract, tea, coffee, or powder.

What does Reishi taste like?

Reishi has a naturally earthy and bitter flavor.

What is a Reishi tincture?

A Reishi tincture is a concentrated liquid extract made from Reishi mushroom.

What does double-extracted Reishi mean?

It means the mushroom extract is produced using two extraction methods rather than relying on a single extraction method.

Can you put Reishi tincture in coffee?

Many liquid Reishi extracts can be added to coffee. Always follow the directions for the specific product you're using.

Can you make Reishi tea?

Yes. Reishi is commonly prepared as a tea or other hot-water preparation.

Is Reishi the same as Lion's Mane?

No. They are different mushrooms with very different appearances, textures, flavors, and common uses.

What products contain Reishi at Shroom-Mates?

Shroom-Mates uses Reishi in several products, including our double-extracted Reishi tincture, Mushroom Coffee, Blue Dream Tea, and Powerhouse Mushroom Chai.

Final Thoughts

Reishi is a fascinating mushroom because it's so different from the mushrooms most people are used to eating.

Its hard texture and bitter flavor make it better suited to extracts, tinctures, teas, coffee blends, and powders than to a frying pan.

At Shroom-Mates, we grow Reishi alongside our other mushroom varieties and use it in several different products.

Whether you prefer Mushroom Coffee, Blue Dream Tea, Powerhouse Mushroom Chai, or a double-extracted Reishi tincture, there are several ways to explore this unique mushroom.

And because we grow mushrooms ourselves, we get to work with Reishi from the growing stage all the way through the finished product.

That's the Shroom-Mates approach: grow the mushrooms, understand the mushrooms, and make them easier to enjoy.