Picture this: you’ve saved up for an amazing trip. You book your flight, pack your bags, and then… halfway there, you get kicked off the plane. Frustrating, right? That’s a bit like freeze-dried mushrooms—they look promising at first, but you might never reach the full “destination” of benefits. Why? Because freeze-drying alone can leave many of the mushroom’s most powerful compounds locked away, out of reach for your body.
The chitin roadblock
Mushrooms are built with something called chitin—a tough, fibrous structure that holds their cells together (think of it as their “skeletal system”). Unfortunately, our digestive systems have a hard time breaking it down on their own. This means that, while freeze-drying mushrooms preserves their overall appearance and some nutrients, it doesn’t crack open that chitin “shell” to unleash the deeper, potent compounds inside.
In one review from the International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, researchers point out that simply consuming whole or freeze-dried mushrooms can drastically reduce how much of the good stuff your body can use.
Unlocking the hidden treasure
Ever try to pry open a locked chest with your bare hands? That’s essentially what freeze-dried mushrooms ask your digestive system to do. Enter mushroom extraction—the process that breaks down chitin and releases each mushroom’s unique active compounds. This can be done with water extraction, alcohol extraction (the bad kind), vegetable glycerin extract or even a blend of two (often called “dual extraction”). We use water and vegetable glycerin extraction, how all extracts should be.
By taking this extra step, you’re effectively popping the lock on that treasure chest, making sure the beneficial molecules (like cordycepin in cordyceps, erinacines in lion’s mane, and triterpenes in reishi) are finally free to work their magic.
According to a 2020 study in Food & Function, mushrooms that undergo an extraction process show significantly higher levels of accessible beta-glucans and other polysaccharides compared to freeze-dried forms.
Why extracted mushrooms make life easier
- More bang for your buck – Because extracts remove water and concentrate the key compounds, you actually need less product to feel a difference—saving money in the long run.
- Better bioavailability – “Bioavailability” is a fancy way of saying “your body can actually use it.” When chitin is broken down, all the good stuff is easier to absorb.
- Higher potency – When you see a high extraction ratio (like 30:1), it means 30 kg of dried mushroom goes into making just 1 kg of extract. That’s a ton of mushrooms condensed into a smaller serving—and no freeze-drying can match that concentration.
Extraction = the vip pass
Think of freeze-dried mushrooms as the general admission ticket. It’ll get you into the concert, but you’re missing out on all the backstage perks. Extracted mushrooms are like a VIP pass that brings you right up to the best experiences. You’re not just scraping by on partial access—you’re front and center for the main event.
So, what’s the bottom line?
- Freeze-dried mushrooms can be okay if you just want a dried version of the whole mushroom without much processing. But they often demand higher doses, cost more over time, and don’t always deliver the punch you’re paying for.
- Extracted mushrooms, on the other hand, break down the barriers (literally) that keep valuable compounds locked away. They’re more potent, more cost-effective in the long run, and scientifically shown to offer better absorption.
Our approach—doing it right
We believe in high-ratio extraction (up to 30:1), where we focus on getting all those beneficial compounds out—no cheap fillers, no guesswork. When you invest in an extract, you’re investing in a method proven to make the most of your mushrooms.
In short, if you’re serious about harnessing the true potential of these fungi, skip the “economy seat” freeze-dried products and go for a first-class extract. Your body—and your wallet—will appreciate the upgrade.
References
- International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms (2018).
- Food & Function (2020).
