More ancient than most plants, mushrooms are beautiful, mysterious, and contain so many medicinal properties. Even something as common as white button mushrooms contain a variety of nutrients like B vitamins, vitamin D2, enzymes and protein.
Medicinal mushrooms are far more potent and are best taken in their dried form. For more in-depth information about some medicinal mushrooms as well as mycotherapy and detoxification, check out a Nutritionist’s Guide to Medicinal Mushrooms.
At Indigo Herbs we carry a variety of mushroom powders, making it easy to add them to your daily regimen. We've included suggestions on how to do this below, as well as a list of all the mushroom powders we have available at Indigo Herbs complete with their flavour profiles. For a complete list of all mushroom products we have available, click here.
Suggestions
Mushrooms are savoury and nutty and add a depth and umami flavour to dishes. Umami is best described as a pleasant savoury taste or defined as our fifth taste. Adding mushroom powders to any savoury dish will not only add to its depth of flavour, but also its nutrient-density and health benefits. You can add them to raw dishes as well as cooked.
Stir-Fry's, Sauces, Soups, Stocks and Stews
When cooking with mushroom powders you can add them in at any time, but to get the most of their flavour try adding them at the beginning of cooking.
To make any stir-fry, sauce, soup, stock or stew you typically start with browning some onions or garlic, carrots or celery, or all the above. Once the onions are browned, try adding anywhere from a teaspoon to a couple of tablespoons of your favourite mushroom powder, together with dried herbs. The amount of mushroom powders you add should correlate with the amount you’re cooking.
And, this might be a no-brainer, but you can certainly add mushroom powders to any mushroom dish you’re making. It will only add to the flavour and nutrient-density of the dish.
Try: Antrodia, Cordyceps, Honey Mushroom, Lion's Mane, Maitake, Oyster Mushroom, Red Yeast Rice, Shiitake, Snow Fungus, Sun Agaric, Turkey Tail
Salad Dressings and Spreads
When making your favourite salad dressing, try adding a teaspoon or two of your chosen mushroom powder. Alternatively, try blending a handful of pre-soaked almonds, walnuts or cashews with the mushroom powder, some vinegar or lemon juice and a bit of water, salt and pepper and your favourite fresh or dried herbs for a lovely, creamy dressing.
Additionally when making hummus or any other spread, simply add a teaspoon or two of mushroom powder and see how it transforms!
Try: Lion's Mane, Maitake, Oyster Mushroom, Shiitake, Snow Fungus, Sun Agaric, Turkey Tail
Baked Goods
Making savoury scones or chocolate chip cookies? Banana bread? Why not add some mushroom powder? The more you add the more you’ll taste it.
However, if you’re making something sweet with warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, you’ll find that they mask the mushroom powder taste. Cacao is also something that pairs well with mushroom powder.
For Sweet Baking Try: Chaga, Honey Mushroom, Mesima, Snow Fungus, Sun Agaric
In savoury baked goods mushroom powders will only add to the flavour profile, especially if you’re baking something with garlic, herbs or cheese.
For Savoury Baking Try: Lion's Mane, Maitake, Oyster Mushroom, Shiitake
Hot Drinks
We recommend adding a bit of mushroom powder to your hot chocolate, morning cappuccino or latte. Mushroom tea is also nice.
The rule of thumb here is to have an open mind and experiment! This is the only way you’ll discover what your preferences are.
Try: Chaga, Mesima, Red Yeast Rice, Snow Fungus, Sun Agaric, Turkey Tail
Mushroom Powder Taste Profiles
Antrodia - strong bitter taste and perhaps better to have on its own
Read more here
Chaga - earthy, slightly bitter, tastes like coffee
Read more here
Cordyceps - sweet flavour, add to anything
Read more here
Honey Mushroom - mildly sweet with a slightly bitter aftertaste
Read more here
Lion's Mane - delicate, meaty flavour, perfect in any dish or baked good
Read more here
Maitake - rich and savoury, the longer it is cooked, the stronger the flavour
Read more here
Mesima - has a deep, rich flavour that compliments coffee and cacao well
Read more here
Mixed Powders
Myconutri Organic IS Mushroom Complex Powder
Myconutri Organic PS-7 Mushroom Complex Powder
Super Mushroom Nutri-Complex Blend
Oyster Mushroom - mild, subtly woody, great for any savoury meal
Read more here
Reishi - very bitter and therefore better to have on its own as a supplement
Read more here
Red Yeast Rice Complex - very mild flavour, add to anything
Shiitake - strong, rich and earthy, perfect for stir-fry's, sauces, soups and stews
Read more here
Snow Fungus - fairly bland, add to anything
Read more here
Sun Agaric - sweet, almond flavour, add to baked goods and hot drinks
Read more here
Turkey Tail - very mild, good for teas but can add to anything
Read more here
More information
Do you have a favourite way to use mushroom powders? Let us know by sending us a message on Instagram at @indigo_herbs, we'd love to hear from you!