What most people don’t think about when it comes to functional mushrooms is how they are grown and cultivated. What does the process look like and is it similar to regular farming? Functional mushroom farming is a very meticulous process that requires expert farmers to tend to them. It’s important to note that each functional mushroom can have a much different growth process. For example, Reishi naturally grows on hardwood trees while cordyceps naturally grows on grains like rice. Nevertheless, let’s explore how our products go from the farm to your door.
Creating the Perfect Growing Conditions
Functional mushrooms thrive in specific environments, mimicking their natural habitat. Unlike traditional crops, mushrooms grow on organic substrates rather than soil. Some of the most used growing mediums include:
Hardwood sawdust – Ideal for Reishi, lion’s mane, and turkey tail.
Straw – Often used for oyster mushrooms.
Grain or rice – A common substrate for cordyceps.
The substrate is sterilized to eliminate unwanted bacteria and fungi before the mushroom spores (or mycelium) are introduced. This step ensures that only the desired mushrooms grow, preventing contamination.
From Mycelium to Fruiting Body
Once the mycelium, the root-like structure of mushrooms, colonizes the substrate, the mushrooms begin to grow. The environment is carefully controlled, with factors such as temperature, humidity, and oxygen levels monitored to encourage optimal growth.
Temperature – Different mushrooms require different temperatures. For example, Reishi prefers warmer conditions, while lion’s mane thrives in cooler environments.
Humidity – Mushrooms need a high humidity level (usually 80–90%) to develop properly.
Light and Airflow – While mushrooms don’t rely on sunlight like plants, some exposure to indirect light helps trigger fruiting. Proper airflow is also essential to prevent mold and ensure healthy development.
After a few weeks, the mushrooms reach their full growth stage, ready for harvesting.
Harvesting and Drying
Once the mushrooms reach maturity, they are carefully harvested by hand to preserve their integrity. Harvesting at the right time ensures maximum potency, as the mushrooms contain the highest levels of beneficial compounds at peak maturity.
After harvesting, the mushrooms are dried using low-heat methods to maintain their nutrients and bioactive compounds. This step is crucial because improper drying can degrade their effectiveness.
Processing into Supplements
Once dried, the mushrooms are processed into different supplement forms, such as:
Powders – The dried mushrooms are ground into a fine powder, ready to be added to coffee, smoothies, or meals.
Capsules – Mushroom powders are encapsulated for convenient daily dosing.
Tinctures – The mushrooms are extracted using alcohol or water to create a potent liquid extract.
Gummies – Functional mushroom extracts are infused into gummies for a tasty and easy-to-consume option.
This processing step ensures that consumers receive the full spectrum of beneficial compounds in the most accessible way possible.
Quality Testing and Packaging
Before reaching your door, functional mushrooms undergo rigorous testing for purity, potency, and safety. This includes:
Microbial testing – Ensuring no harmful bacteria or mold are present.
Heavy metal testing – Checking for contaminants like lead, arsenic, and mercury.
Active compound analysis – Measuring beta-glucans, triterpenes, and other beneficial compounds.
Once approved, the products are carefully packaged to maintain freshness and potency, then shipped directly to consumers.