To dry reishi mushrooms, wash and cut them into 1/4-inch thick slices. Place the slices on a dehydrator tray and dry them for 4-6 hours in a food dehydrator at 110°F. Once dry, store them in an airtight container.
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How to Dehydrate Reishi Mushrooms
- Rinse the reishi mushrooms in cool water and rub them with a wet paper towel or cloth to remove dirt. Do not soak the mushrooms, as this can cause them to absorb extra water.
- Once clean, cut them into even pieces, around 1/4-inch thick, to help them dry faster.
- Lay the mushroom slices on a dehydrator tray in a single layer and ensure they are not touching or overlapping to ensure even drying.
- Set your dehydrator to 110°F and let them dry for 4-6 hours. If you’re drying Antler reishi, the drying time is 2-3 hours.
- Once the mushrooms are completely dry, store them in a labeled, airtight container in a cool, dark, and dry place.
How to Make Dry Reishi Mushroom Powder
Making dry reishi mushroom powder is easy with a blender or food processor. Simply add the dried mushrooms into the machine, and pulse until they are reduced to a fine powder.
If you wish to grind them by hand, you can do so using a mortar and pestle. Add a few mushrooms into the mortar and use the pestle to grind them down into a fine powder.
Uses of Dried Reishi Mushrooms
Dried reishi mushrooms aren’t often used to flavor food. They have a strong and woodsy flavor, with a bitter taste, and cannot be thrown into recipes like a shiitake or oyster mushroom.
Instead, dried reishi mushrooms are used for their health benefits in traditional Chinese medicine. They are often consumed in a mushroom tincture or used to make reishi tea.
Powdered reishi is often used to fill supplement capsules. This allows consumption of the mushroom without the bitter flavor.
Health Benefits of Reishi Mushrooms
Reishi mushrooms, also known as lingzhi mushrooms or ganoderma lucidum have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. They are called ‘the mushroom of immortality’ due to their perceived health benefits.
They are considered to be medicinal mushrooms, alongside cordyceps, maitake, polypore, and lions mane mushrooms. Traditionally, reishi mushrooms were said to strengthen the heart, improve memory, and help to remove toxins from the body, but these claims have never been confirmed by the FDA.
However, modern scientific studies have revealed some health benefits of consuming reishi mushrooms, including:
- Has been used to help treat urinary tract infections
- High in antioxidants and contain more than 400 nutrients
- May help boost the immune system
- May help fight cancer when used alongside traditional cancer treatments
- May reduce chronic fatigue symptoms
What Does a Dried Reishi Mushroom Taste Like?
Reishi mushrooms, while technically edible, are not often consumed. This is because they have an incredibly woody texture and an unpleasant, bitter, cork-like taste. Even when it is consumed (such as in tea form), reishi mushroom has to be soaked and boiled for a long time, making it inconvenient to use.
What is the Best Way to Consume Dried Reishi Mushrooms?
The best way to consume reishi mushrooms is to take them as supplements. This is the easiest way of consuming them without experiencing the unpleasant flavor.
How to Store Dried Reishi Mushrooms
The best way to store dried reishi mushrooms is to put them in an airtight container and store them in a cool, dark, and dry place. Direct sunlight, heat, and moisture all cause mushrooms to spoil faster, so keep them properly stored to extend their shelf life.