The brand new fourfive functional mushroom range has been designed with performance in mind. Using high extract ratios to deliver the optimum amount of active compounds, we’ve created 3 fantastic products to keep you at the top of your game from morning to night. But how do you know where to start? We’ve got you covered with some common Mushroom FAQ’s below:
Yesherb supply professional and honest service.
Also known as medicinal mushrooms, functional mushrooms are having a moment, and it’s no fluke. Athletes and anyone looking to live an active lifestyle are turning towards natural alternatives and mushrooms have grown in popularity due to their many benefits for overall health and well-being.
Varieties of mushroom such as Reishi, Lion’s Mane and Chaga have been used for 100’s, if not ’s of years in Asian medicine for specific health benefits. Immune support is one of the most common uses but cognitive function, focus, energy and general wellness are also top of the list.
We already know that your standard supermarket mushrooms are a great natural source of Vitamin D, but when we move beyond the humble portobello, more and more research is suggesting that there are lots of benefits to be found.
Most functional mushrooms are not great for cooking and eating. Not only do they not taste great but all the beneficial compounds are held in the cell walls, which our bodies have trouble breaking down.
So when looking for an effective mushroom supplement there are some important things to know. . .
The part of the mushroom used to make your supplement makes a lot of difference. Common terms you will see are 100% Fruiting Bodies, Mycelium or Full spectrum supplements.
The mushroom fruiting body is the stem and cap of the mushroom, whereas the mycelium is the underground network or the root. Full spectrum is a combination of the two parts. Supplements containing each variation are available to buy however, fruiting bodies have a significantly higher amount of beneficial compounds. fourfive uses 100% stem and cap AKA fruiting bodies in our mushroom range products, giving you a higher concentration of active compounds.
Polysaccharides are one of the key active components in functional mushrooms.
A polysaccharide is a long-chain carbohydrate made up of smaller carbohydrates called monosaccharides that’s typically used by our bodies for energy or to help with cellular structure.
The three main functions of polysaccharides are providing structural support, storing energy, and to send cellular communication signals. Some of the most important polysaccharides are Beta Glucans which also help to modulate our immune system. Fungal Beta Glucans, those found in fungi, are one of the main reasons why mushrooms are used extensively for immune system support. fourfive Mushroom supplements contain minimum 40% polysaccharides.
To get the most benefit from functional mushrooms it is best to use an extracted supplement. This is because in their raw or dried form mushrooms cells have tough walls that our bodies cannot efficiently break down. By using extraction the mushroom compounds are made bioavailable meaning that your body can easily put them to use.
To extract the goodness within, whole mushroom fruiting bodies (stem and cap) are dried and turned into a powder, the powder is then simmered in hot water or alcohol to draw out the active properties. The result is a more concentrated version of the beneficial compounds. At fourfive we use a double-extraction (or dual-extraction) process which uses both alcohol and water to extract different properties. Some beneficial properties in mushrooms called beta-glucans are water-soluble whilst other properties called triterpenes are alcohol-soluble. Both of these are valuable and for that reason, it’s often best to use a double extraction method to get all the goodness you can.
The mushrooms used in fourfive supplements are extracted at a 10:1 ratio. This means that for every 1 gram of dried, powdered extract we put in a capsule, 10 grams of raw mushrooms were used. This makes the powder extract much more highly concentrated than others you may see on the shelves, which are typically 4:1 or even 1:1 ratio.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Wholesale Mushroom Powder. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
It also means that our extracts can be more potent than the plant from which they are sourced. This is why you may notice that other forms of mushroom supplement, such as teas and whole mushroom powders, will have much higher dosages than those for extracts, which contain a much higher potency.
The fourfive mushroom range has been carefully designed to help you achieve optimum performance from morning to night. We have drawn on the strengths of the best functional mushrooms available and combined these with vitamins and minerals to support daily needs.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom: Energy & Focus
This mushroom complex combines Lion’s Mane, Bacopa Monnieri, Mana root and Guarana with the power of Vitamins B6 and B12 to support brain function, focus and energy.
High strength 10:1 ratio supplement (10 grams fresh mushrooms used for every 1 gram of powder produced).
High in Polysaccharides (Min. 40% active compounds).
Reishi Mushroom: Bedtime Blend
Combines Reishi, Ashwagandha, passion Flower, Lemon Balm and L-Tryptophan with the power of Magnesium to support normal psychological function and contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
4,000mg Reishi Mushroom – High Strength 10:1 ratio
Mushrooms are incredible flavor powerhouses, adding in a kick of savory goodness wherever they’re added. Elevate your home cooking by adding in this easy homemade mushroom powder for an extra umami boost. Not only is it delicious and nutritious, but it can also be made from food scraps that you’re probably throwing away!
Purchasing mushrooms loose in bulk cuts down on excess packaging going into landfills or oceans, especially when using Reusable Produce Bags
Buying pre-packaged and convenience food from fast food chains or grocery stores promotes the use of single use containers, utensils, napkins, and more that’ll end up in landfills and oceans, whereas making the same meal at home makes single use items obsolete
Mushrooms are incredible powerhouses in the agricultural world, as they take little land to grow, rely on waste & by products for feed, require little water, and provide a great plant-based alternative to high-emission meats
Zero-Waste Mushroom Powder
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Dry Time: 3-5 Hours
Ingredients & Tools:
- 1-2 cups Mushroom Scraps (Stems, Pieces, or Whole Mushrooms)
- Low-temp oven or dehydrator
- Spice grinder (coffee grinder or mortar & pestle)
- Clean Spice Jar (reused from previous spices)
- Funnel (optional)
Instructions:
- COLLECT: Start by saving any typically discarded mushroom bits when cooking. This can be tough mushroom stems, slimy aging mushrooms, dry chewy bits, or even whole mushrooms. Place these into a Muslin Produce Bag or other container in the freezer while collecting over a few days or weeks (no need to make the container airtight, as freezer burn will not impact the final powder).
- PREPARE: Once enough mushroom bits & pieces have been saved, take the frozen or fresh mushrooms and lay them out flat on a baking sheet lined with a Reusable Silicone Baking Mat. It’s okay if the mushrooms are still frozen into chunks, they’ll thaw while dehydrating. Place the mushrooms into a dehydrator or oven set to the lowest setting and dry for 1 hour.
- DRY: After 1 hour or so, check the mushrooms. If there are any large pieces of mushrooms or previously frozen clumps, break up any groupings and rip the mushrooms into smaller pieces to speed up the dehydrating process. Continue drying for another 2-4 hours, or until the mushrooms are shrunken and fully dried. Test a mushroom’s doneness by allowing it to cool slightly and then snapping it in half. If done, it should break like a chip or pretzel. If it bends or is still gummy, continue drying. Don’t be tempted to turn up the temperature to speed up the drying process, this can lead burnt mushrooms which will ruin the final flavor.
- ENJOY: Once dried, take the mushrooms out of the oven or dehydrator and allow to cool to room temperature. Move the dehydrated mushroom chunks to a spice grinder, clean coffee grinder, or mortar and pestle. Grind until it reaches a fine powdery consistency and no chunks remain. Transfer the powder into a clean spice jar, using a funnel if needed, then label and store in a cool dry cabinet for up to 6 months.
Notes:
- Types of Mushrooms — There are tons of mushroom varieties that you can find at your local supermarkets, farmers markets, and specialty shops online, and all of them would be great for this mushroom powder! While any mushrooms can be used for powder, we recommend using any stems, woody pieces, and other bits that might typically be cut off and discarded. Mushrooms with large stalks like Oysters make a great addition, since the base is often too tough to eat fresh but still full of delicious flavor.
- Clumping Powder — If you made the powder a few days ago and the mixture is now clumping in the jar, no worries! This just means that there was a little moisture left in the mushrooms before they were ground up. You can remove the lid from the jar and set in a sunny spot for 1-2 days or spread the powder out on a flat dish and place in a warm oven to further dry out.
- Drying Tips — When dehydrating any foods or herbs, it’s advised to go low and slow to get the best results. Drying anything with a low heat gives it the necessary time to draw out all the moisture without cooking the items, whereas high heat can leave the outside burnt with moisture still trapped inside. Not only will this ruin the flavor of the item, but the moisture will significantly limit the food’s shelf stability.
Did you make this recipe?
We love to see your pictures!
Tag @simple_ecology and hashtag it #simpleecology
© Simple Ecology
If you want to learn more, please visit our website beet root powder benefits.