Reishi Mushrooms – All You Need to Know | Instacart Guide to Fresh Produce

What are reishi mushrooms?

The reishi mushroom is a member of the fungi family and is typically a shiny red or orange color with a white underside. These mushrooms are edible and can be eaten fresh, but their woody, bitter taste and tough texture make them better suited for teas and garnishes. Reishi mushrooms are especially known for their prominence in Eastern medicine; many Eastern cultures have historically used most parts of the fungus in homeopathic remedies for centuries. Shop popular reishi products.

Where did reishi mushrooms originate from?

Reishi mushrooms are native to hot and humid areas in Asia, Europe, and North America and can sometimes be found on decomposing trees and plants in other locations. This fungi is especially well-known in China and is even featured in many art pieces and traditional Chinese medicinal practices.

How are reishi mushrooms grown?

Reishi mushrooms will take specific shapes depending on how much fresh air they are exposed to during the growth period. In an environment with low carbon dioxide exposure, reishi mushrooms will take on an “antler” shape. Otherwise, reishi mushrooms will adopt a “conk” shape. In the wild, reishi mushrooms will grow on decaying trees or plants, but these mushrooms can also be grown in a controlled environment.

Farmers will collect the spores of adult reishi mushrooms from the pores located underneath the cap to grow reishi mushrooms. These spores are then used in grow bags, which can quickly become overrun with new mushrooms, as reishi are prone to fruiting.

When are reishi mushrooms in season?

Reishi mushrooms found in the wild will continue to grow, year after year, until their host, typically a decaying tree, is completely gone. This means that wild reishi can be easily harvested repeatedly, as long as the host is still around. The most common time of year to find them are in the warmer months, or from May to November in the Northern Hemisphere. Reishi mushrooms grown in a controlled environment can be harvested year-round so long as suitable growing conditions are met.

How do you pick reishi mushrooms at the grocery store?

Since raw reishi mushrooms are bitter and tough, most popular reishi products come in the form of supplements, powders, or teas. When shopping for packaged reishi products, it’s important to read the label to ensure you’re getting the product you need. Products with reishi mycelium or grains are suitable for some purposes, but since these ingredients are byproducts of the mushroom, they are typically not as potent. To get stronger products, you’ll want to look for items that contain the actual reishi mushroom fruiting body, including the stems or caps.

If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for reishi mushrooms via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products.

How to store reishi mushrooms

If you opt for fresh reishi mushrooms, they will quickly spoil if not properly stored or preserved. Fresh reishi that still contains moisture is especially prone to spoiling. To prevent this, cut your mushrooms into small strips and leave them out to dry in the sun or quickly dry them in a food dehydrator. Small, evenly-sliced pieces of reishi mushrooms will dry more uniformly and are most likely to withstand long-term storage than whole mushrooms or large chunks.

Once your mushroom slices are fully dry, you will want to store them in an air-tight container or bag and place them in a cool, dark area. If kept in these conditions, you can expect your mushrooms to last around a year or longer.

How to tell if reishi mushrooms are bad

Since most reishi products are pre-packaged, pay close attention to the expiration date on any items you purchase and use your products before this date for best results. If you purchase your reishi mushrooms fresh, look at the undersides; fresh reishi mushrooms are light underneath, so darkness or fading can indicate aging. Fresh reishis also typically have a shiny, bright red or orange cap, so a dull cap may also indicate that the mushroom is going bad. Mold is also a strong indicator that a reishi mushroom is not safe to consume.

What can I substitute for reishi mushrooms?

Reishi mushrooms are not known for their flavor since they are largely bitter and chewy. For this reason, they rarely feature in dishes. When they do make it into a dish, it is usually as a finely grained garnish sprinkled over the top.

Instead, most people use reishi products, such as supplements, powders, extracts, tinctures, and teas, to obtain their nutritional benefits without necessarily getting the flavor.

Some alternatives to reishi mushrooms that also provide similar nutritional benefits include:

• Golden milk
• Rooibos tea
• Golgi berries

Shop reishi mushrooms with Instacart

Ready to try reishi mushroom products? With Instacart, you can easily select your items online and let your shopper know what to look for when picking out your products in-store. Next, schedule a delivery or pick-up time that works best with your schedule, and enjoy your items when they arrive! Shop reishi mushrooms and other fresh vegetables now.

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