Mushroom Powder Extracts: 6 Ways to Use + 12 Recipes

Not everyone has access to dried mushrooms or fresh mushrooms to experience all the benefits they provide. This is why a lot of people are missing out on the many ways functional and edible mushrooms can add to their diet.

Mushroom powder extracts, like those produced from organic fruiting bodies, are packed with nutritional benefits. It's a sophisticated step up to use powder format rather than capsules because your throat, mouth, and digestive system will gain additional benefits from ingesting mushroom powder this way.

Using mushroom powder opens up a variety of ways to play with the flavor profile of mushroom extracts since the type of mushroom flavor from different mushroom species varies from chocolatey and bitter (reishi) to almond milk-like (tremella). There's a tantalizing satisfaction that grows from taking mushroom powders; many users find that they never go back to using capsules once they've discovered this pleasure for themselves.

If you’re unsure how to use mushroom powder, this guide will help you discover the unique and delicious ways you can incorporate mushroom powder extracts into your diet. From drinks and snacks on the go to desserts and salves, you can boost your mushroom intake by adding mushroom powders to almost anything.

In This Article

Favorite Mushroom Powder Recipes from Real Mushrooms

1. Coffee + Tea with Mushroom Powder Extracts
2. Smoothies + Shakes
3. Baked Goods & Desserts with Mushroom Powder Extracts
4. Energy Bars with Mushroom Powder
5. Main Dishes (stews; soups; pasta)
6. Topicals (creams, salves)

Best enjoyed in small doses over time, the cumulative nutritional benefits of functional mushrooms include immune and nervous system support, increased energy and stamina, brain health and cognition support, and balanced blood sugar levels.[1]

The key to an effective intake is using powdered mushrooms made from 100% certified organic mushrooms with no grain fillers.

Surprisingly, many so-called “mushroom” powders do not contain any mushrooms at all. Produced by growing the “roots” of the mushroom, called mycelium, on a grain substrate, these products made from myceliated grain are high in grain starch and lack many of the beneficial compounds like beta-glucans.

There are many ways to add mushroom powder extracts to your diet. Using high-quality fungi, here are six ways and fourteen delicious recipes to boost your mushroom intake using mushroom powder extracts.

Favorite Mushroom Powder Recipes from Real Mushrooms

#1. Coffee + Tea with Mushroom Powder Extracts

From freshly brewed tea to frothy lattes, mushroom powder extracts in finely ground powder can be used to complement your favorite beverages.

The recipe for this first coffee alternative includes a blend of mushrooms, including reishi mushrooms, which, among its many benefits, is known to improve sleep and reduce stress and fatigue [2]; chaga mushrooms, which may boost digestion and helps clear skin [3]; lion’s mane, which supports healthy brain function [4]; cordyceps mushrooms, which supports lung capacity and increases energy [5]; and turkey tail mushrooms, which supports immune system function. [6]

Mushroom Cacao Latte

• 32 ounces of pure water
• 1 to 3 Tbsp of cacao powder
• 2 to 4 Tbsp hemp seeds
• 2 to 4 Medjool dates
• 1/2 tsp Chaga powder
• 1/2 tsp Lion's Mane powder
• 1/2 tsp Cordyceps-M powder
• 1/4 tsp Reishi 415 powder
• 1/4 tsp Turkey Tail powder
• 1/4 tsp dried ginger
• 1/4 tsp cardamom
• 1/2 tsp Ceylon cinnamon

Directions: Blend all ingredients in high power and blend until frothy.

While this next one is not exactly a coffee or a tea, we simply can’t leave it out as our vegan mushroom golden milk offers a myriad of health benefits. Perhaps that’s why we opted to use mushroom powder twice in two preparations - one for the morning as a caffeine replacement to start your day fresh and one for the evening to aid in sleep and recovery.

Morning Golden Milk

• 1/2 cup of coconut milk
• 3/4 cup almond milk
• 1/2 TB honey (or favorite sweetener)
• 1/2 TB coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 cinnamon stick or 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• small pinch of black pepper and grated ginger
• 1/2 tsp Lion’s Mane mushroom powder
• 1/2 tsp Ashwagandha

Evening Golden Milk

• 1/2 cup of coconut milk
• 3/4 cup almond milk
• 1/2 TB honey (or favorite sweetener)
• 1/2 TB coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 cinnamon stick or 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp. carob powder (optional)
• small pinch of black pepper and fresh ginger
• 1/2 tsp reishi mushroom powder

Directions: To a small saucepan, add the ingredients for either recipe. Whisk to combine and warm over medium heat. Heat until hot to the touch but not boiling - about 3-4 minutes - whisking the whole time. Turn off heat and taste to adjust sweetness level. Take out the cinnamon stick and if you like it very smooth, you can strain the golden milk to take out the ginger pieces.

Check out the original post!

#2. Smoothies + Shakes

Adding mushroom powder to a post-workout smoothie or an afternoon shake provides a nutritional boost to a refreshing treat. This smoothie features lion’s mane powdered mushroom, which is used to support healthy brain function*.

Tropical Greens Smoothie

• 1/2 cup+ frozen pineapple
• 1/3 cup+ frozen mango chunks
• 1/4 cup coconut flakes
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/2 thumb of ginger root
• 4-5 mint leaves
• The juice from half a lime
• 1 tsp ground organic turmeric
• 1/2 tsp Lion’s Mane mushroom powder
• 1 scoop unflavored collagen

Directions: Combine all ingredients with a 1/2 cup of filtered water and blend. Add more water to thin.

Do you have any beets laying around the kitchen that need some love?! You are in good hands here!! Nettles of @nourishing.roots has this vibrant Beet Mint Smoothie that has all kinds of colors, aromas, and nourishment here.

You’ve got the nitric oxide blood flow boosting properties of beets while getting the nutrients from the fine powder of mushroom extracts. The healthy fats and high magnesium and zinc content of hemp seeds.

The mood uplifting & alertness boosting properties of peppermint and spearmint. The high polyphenol content in the berry mix. Last but not least, the cognitive enhancing benefits of lion’s mane mushroom powder make this a red-letter smoothie!

Beet Mint Smoothie

• ½ cup steamed beets
• ½ cup purple cabbage
• ½ cup dark berries like blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, or a berry blend
• works well here!
• sprig of fresh mint (peppermint or spearmint works here!)
• 1 tsp Real Mushrooms Lion's Mane powder
• 1 tsp Vitamin C powder (Acerola cherry based)
• 3 Tbsp hemp seeds

Directions: Add everything to the blender and spin till desired consistency. Water to thin if needed.

(Source: Real Mushrooms Recipe Guide: download your copy here)

Cashew Mocha Mint Smoothie

This smoothie could serve many forms as either a pre-workout, post-workout and or a solid snack between meals this holiday season! Let’s dive into the recipe, shall we!?

• 2 to 3 Tbsp raw, organic cashews or pecans
• 1 Tbsp cashew butter
• 1/2 tsp Real Mushrooms 5 Defenders mushroom powder blend
• 2 Tbsp dark chocolate chips (aim for 70% cacao content)
• 1 tsp peppermint extract
• handful of fresh mint
• 1.5 Tbsp cacao nibs
• 1 Tbsp cacao powder
• 1 tsp Ceylon cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp ginger
• dash of cayenne
• 3 Medjool dates
• 1 scoop of ideally chocolate mint protein flavor or vanilla protein (plant-based protein or grass-fed whey or grass-fed beef protein can work here)
• 1.5 cups unsweetened coconut milk
• 1/2 cup cold brew coffee
• 1/4 maple syrup or coconut nectar
• Roughly 2 cups of ice

Directions: Add everything to the blender and blend till desired consistency is met. Feel free to top this smoothie with toppings like hemp seeds, coconut flakes, cacao nibs, chia seeds, and/or granola.

#3. Baked Goods & Desserts with Mushroom Powder Extracts

Much to a sweet tooth’s delight, dessert doesn’t just have to be an indulgent treat anymore.

Add mushroom powder extract to your favorite confection and enjoy the nutritional benefits of fungi without sacrificing flavor. This recipe features Reishi mushroom powder, which is known to improve sleep, reduce stress and fatigue*, as well as aid in supporting healthy liver function.* [7]

Paleo Special Brownies

• -½ cup coconut oil
• ½ cup + 1 tbsp cacao powder (Try Kismet Cacao)
• 60 g chocolate
• 20 g cacao butter
• ½ cup honey
• ½ cup maple syrup
• ½ tsp vanilla
• 3 eggs
• ¼ cup + 2 tbsp coconut flour
•  ¼ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp Reishi 415 mushroom powder
• 1 tbsp ashwagandha
  *Optional: crushed pecans, cashew butter, chocolate chips

Directions: Preheat oven to 360 degrees. Spread a light layer of coconut oil over a brownie baking pan. Add coconut oil, cacao powder, chocolate, and cacao butter to the double boiler and heat until melted, then remove from heat and pour into a cool bowl. Allow it to cool to a temperature that is safe to touch. Pour in honey, maple syrup, vanilla, and eggs. Mix thoroughly. Add in the remaining ingredients and whisk to combine. Pour mix into 1.5-inch thick brownie trays. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through.

Superfood Coffee Ice Cream

Sugar-free coffee ice cream packed with anabolic recovery proteins, gut-strengthening amino acids, immune-boosting/adaptogenic Chinese herbs, and cognitive-supporting fats from your choice of mushroom powder.

Topped with mct charged hard shell chocolate sauce to give it that perfect mocha flavor. *Note - those recipe pairs great with the one above.

• Full tray of coffee ice cubes
• 1.5 scoops whey isolate (about 4-6 tbs)
• 1 Tbsp collagen protein powder
• 1-1.5 tbs powdered lakanto sugar
• 5 grams L-glutamine
• 1 tsp Real Mushrooms Lion’s Mane powder
• 1/2 tsp Real Mushrooms Chaga powder
• 1 pastured egg yolk
• 1 Tbsp MCT oil
• Pinch of pink salt
• Capful of vanilla extract
• 1/4-1/2 dropper Vanilla stevia
  *Optional- 1-2 tbs cacao nibs)

Directions

1. In a Vitamix (include all ingredients except the sauce): Use the tamper to pound into creamy ice cream texture. Set back in a freezer.
2. Chocolate sauce: Stir until smooth and add to the piping bag.
3. Scoop out the ice cream and the drizzle on the chocolate sauce. Add any other toppings and ENJOY!

(Source: Real Mushrooms Recipe Guide)

Fungi Chia Seed Pudding

Alright, this one is so healthy and hearty; it’s hard to believe it could be a desert. But the taste and texture of the confection paired with mushroom powder definitely qualify it for that category.

• - 2 cups full fat coconut milk
• 3 tsp Ceylon or cassia cinnamon (I recommend Ceylon cinnamon here!)
• ½ cup chia seeds
• ½ tsp vanilla or peppermint extract
• 2 to 6 drops of stevia or liquid monk-fruit sweetener (depending on the sweetener preference you like)
• ¼ cup raw cacao powder
• 1 tsp Real Mushroom Cordyceps-M powder
• 1 tsp Real Mushroom Reishi 415 powder

Directions: Mix everything until it has been fully mixed throughout. Then, pour into little mason jars. Store in the fridge overnight. Feel free to serve with a spoonful of almond, sunflower seed butter or any other nut/seed butter that suits your fancy!

#4. Energy Bars with Mushroom Powder

Dark Cacao Hemp Chaga Bites

Whether you’re on the go or just looking for a quick bite, energy bars offer an easy pick-me-up. Upgrade this snack by adding mushroom powder extract. This recipe includes chaga mushroom powder, which supports digestion and helps clear skin*.

• 1 to 1.5 cups packed pitted dates (Medjool is ideal here)
• 2 cups pecans
• 6 Tbsp raw cacao powder
• 3 to 4 Tbsp hemp seeds (plus more for rolling at the end of the recipe)
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp Chaga extract
• 3 Tbsp creamy almond butter or sunflower seed butter (Try The Philosopher’s Stoneground)
• 1 Tbsp melted coconut oil (optional)

Directions: First, add dates to a high-speed blender and blend until the dates are chopped up. Remove the dates and add the pecans, blending them into little pieces. After that, add in the cacao powder, nut or seed butter of choice, chaga extract, sea salt, and coconut oil if desired! Blend everything up until it begins to bind together and turn more dough like. Take the energy bite dough and place it in the fridge for roughly 10-20 minutes. Take out the dough and roll the dough into energy bites or small-sized energy bars.

Pumpkin Pie Spice Protein Bars

These protein bars are enhanced with lion's mane mushroom powder, which helps support cognitive function and potentially even aids in short and long-term memory support! [8]

• 1 cup nut butter of choice
• 2 tsp Real Mushrooms Lion's Mane mushroom powder
• 1/2 cup vanilla protein of choice
• 3 tbsp organic pumpkin purée
• 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp – 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey {depending on how sweet you want it, I only used 1 tsp of organic maple syrup, but use more for sweeter}
• 2 tbsp dark chocolate chips

Directions: Mix all ingredients together until a dough forms. Press dough into a parchment-lined 8×8 pan and freeze for an hour. Remove and cut into 8-10 rectangles, depending on how big you want them. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet & bake at 300 for 12 minutes. Store in the fridge.

Paleo Protein Donuts

Okay, these aren’t exactly energy “bars,” but what is an energy bar if it is not just food of a certain shape?

These paleo protein donuts are guilt-free and do a body good thanks to some unique and creative ingredients, alongside our mushroom extract powders, that bring together the ultimate donut experience. Donut recipe goodness below:

Donuts

• 1 cup fine almond flour
• ¼ cup tapioca flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ cup honey
• 1⁄3 cup cocoa powder (or paleo chocolate protein powder)
• 3 Tbsp coconut oil
• 1 Tbsp ACV
• 2 eggs
• ¼ cup coconut milk

Chocolate Mushroom Glaze:

• ¾ cup coconut butter
• 3 teaspoons 5 Defenders mushroom extract powder
• 2 tablespoons monk fruit sweetener
• 1 tablespoon cacao powder

Directions: Preheat oven to 350˚. In a large bowl, mix all donut ingredients until a smooth batter forms. Gently spoon batter into the donut pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cooked all the way through (toothpick trick to test readiness). Let cool for 10 minutes.

*For a complete recipe with donut glaze topping, download the complete Real Mushrooms Recipe Guide

#5. Main Dishes (stews; soups; pasta)

Versatile and flavorful, mushrooms can be a nice, earthy addition to main dishes, as well as soups, stews and pasta. This recipe features lion’s mane mushroom powder, which is used to support healthy brain function*.

Creamy Lemon Butternut Squash Lion’s Mane Pasta

• 1 small-medium butternut squash, spiralized*
• 1 Tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1 sweet yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, diced
• 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil**
• Zest & juice from 1 lemon
• 2 cups low sodium vegetable broth
• 1 can full-fat coconut milk
• 1 Tbsp tapioca flour
• 1 fresh Lion’s Mane mushroom, chopped (or ½ tsp of bulk extract powder)

Directions: In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil on medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 3 minutes until translucent. Add one clove of the diced garlic, and cook for a minute longer. To the large pot, add vegetable broth, coconut milk, and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer – reduce heat if the mixture comes to a full boil.

Meanwhile, in a large frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil on medium heat. Add in butternut squash and fresh rosemary, cook while tossing frequently to heat & soften slightly – approximately 5 minutes. After the 5 minutes, add the butternut squash to the coconut milk mixture, but reserve the frying pan – you will use it again!

Add the tapioca flour to the “noodle” and sauce mixture, stirring periodically. Continue cooking for 15-20 minutes or until the “noodles” have softened to your desired firmness. While the “noodles” cook, tear the lion’s mane into bite-sized pieces. Heat the frying pan you had set aside on medium heat. Once heated, add the lion’s mane. Dry cook in the pan for a moment or two, or until any water released from the mushrooms is reabsorbed. Once any water is reabsorbed, add the last tablespoon of oil and the remaining clove of diced garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, until mushrooms are golden brown – about 10-15 minutes.

Once your pasta has reached desired firmness, serve into bowls, and top with a generous heap of the cooked mushrooms and a sprinkle of lemon zest. Enjoy!

Find the recipe here!

#6. Topicals (creams, salves)

Mushrooms can have soothing properties, making them a great addition to DIY skincare products. Promote healing by adding mushroom powder extract to creams and salves. This topical features chaga, which is used to boost digestion and help clear skin.

Chaga Skin Food

• 9 Tbsp shea butter
• 6 Tbsp extra virgin coconut oil (try Dignity Coconuts)
• 3 Tbsp cacao butter
• 10 drops each of Peppermint and Eucalyptus oil (feel free to experiment with different essential oil blends here!)
• 2 tsp Chaga extract

Directions: Using the double boiler method. Add the shea, cacao, and coconut oil. Melt at low heat until everything is mixed just right. Be mindful not to turn the heat up too much!

Next, add your desired essential oils and Chaga powder extract. Use a whisk to combine everything nicely. Once you have done so. Pour into a small mason jar or some other fun creative jar you intend to use! Store in the refrigerator. It will need at least 2-4 hours to solidify. You can then store it at room temperature. This will keep for roughly a couple of years.

These 6 ways to boost your mushroom intake using mushroom powder extracts can elevate your health. From drinks and desserts to dinner and skincare, be sure to use Real Mushrooms, a high-quality product with no grain fillers. This means real nutrition with every use.

Now that you know how to use mushroom powder in various applications, you can confidently reap all the benefits of functional mushrooms added to your lifestyle. With just a few teaspoons of mushroom powder, you’ll feel much better incorporating these organic ingredients to support your health and wellness.

So – what do you think? Did we miss anything on this list? Leave us your comments below!

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References

1. 7 health benefits of mushrooms (2022) Uclahealth.org. UCLA Health. Available at: https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/7-health-benefits-of-mushrooms#:~:text=Vitamin%20D%2C%20which%20assists%20with (Accessed: 23 August 2024).
2. Top 7 Medicinal Mushrooms + Their Benefits | National Association of Nutrition Professionals (2020). Available at: https://nanp.org/2020/12/28/top-7-medicinal-mushrooms-their-benefits/.
3. Enion, R. (2017) ENRICHD.ORG, ENRICHD.ORG. Available at: https://www.enrichd.org/blog/2017/2/16/benefits-of-chaga-mushroom (Accessed: 23 August 2024).
4. for, I. (2023) More Than a Mushroom: Benefits of Lion’s Mane - Institute for Natural Medicine, Institute for Natural Medicine. Available at: https://naturemed.org/the-amazing-health-benefits-of-lions-mane-mushrooms/#:~:text=Lion (Accessed: 23 August 2024).
5. Chen, M. et al. (2012) ‘Protective roles of Cordyceps on lung fibrosis in cellular and rat models’, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 143(2), pp. 448–454. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2012.06.033.
6. Turkey tail mushrooms act as nonspecific immune modulators (2022) Uclahealth.org. UCLA Health. Available at: https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/turkey-tail-mushrooms-act-as-nonspecific-immune-modulators.
7. Reishi Mushroom | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (no date) www.mskcc.org. Available at: https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/reishi-mushroom.
8. Docherty, S., Doughty, F.L. and Smith, E.F. (2023) ‘The Acute and Chronic Effects of Lion’s Mane Mushroom Supplementation on Cognitive Function, Stress and Mood in Young Adults: A Double-Blind, Parallel Groups, Pilot Study’, Nutrients, 15(22), pp. 4842–4842. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15224842.