Tare Almanac · Volume Four working draft. 5 entries · 5 chapters. Facts are research-level and need a domain pass before print.
Tare Almanac · Volume Four

All Things
Mushroom

✦ ✦ ✦
Five functional powders, taken daily for steady gains.
Tare Bulk Foods
Tare Almanac
Volume Four
✦ ✦ ✦

All Things
Mushroom

✦ ✦ ✦

Five functional mushroom powders, the science behind them, and a thirty-day starter practice.

Introductioni
A note before you start

How to use this book.

✦ ✦ ✦

Functional mushrooms have a two-thousand-year traditional record and a growing peer-reviewed one. This book is built around the five powders Tare carries, with context chapters around them so the practice makes sense.

The chapters that bracket the entries are read-as-prose. The middle three chapters are entry cards: one card per mushroom, with the same fields you would find in any other Almanac volume.

Inside each mushroom entry
  • Common name and Latin name. The Latin name is the one to search for further reading.
  • What it is for, how to use it, when to skip it. Three short sections of plain advice.
  • A panel on the right. Taste, what it blends with, daily use amount, and three quick patterns.
  • A short note. This is reference, not medical advice.

Mushrooms work cumulatively. Plan on a month of daily use before you judge.

✶
Tare Almanac · Volume Fouri
Introductionii
A note from the owners

Our philosophy on mushrooms
and functional foods.

✦ ✦ ✦

We believe in mushrooms the same way we believe in herbs: as foods that humans have been preparing and brewing for a very long time, with a deep practical tradition and growing scientific interest. They are not silver bullets, and the research is still maturing.

We are not medical professionals, and these powders are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition. They are foods, taken daily, with the gentleness that implies.

If you take prescription medication, especially blood thinners or immune-modulating drugs, talk to your doctor before adding a functional mushroom practice. The interactions are mostly mild but they are real, and we would rather you know.

Everything in this book is research-level. Treat it as a starting point for your own thinking, not the last word.

Mitchell & Amelia Wilson
Owners, Tare Bulk Foods
✶
Tare Almanac · Volume Fourii
Tare Almanac · Volume FourWhy Mushrooms.
01
Chapter 01 of 05

Why Mushrooms.

A short primer on the actives, the formats, and how the daily practice actually works.

✦ ✦ ✦
Tare Almanac · Volume Four1
Tare Almanac · Volume Four · Why Mushrooms.Page 2

What functional mushrooms actually are.

The mushrooms in this book are not the kind you sauté in butter. They are the kind people have been brewing into tea, simmering into broth, and packing into capsules for two thousand years across China, Japan, Korea, and the Russian taiga. The five we carry are the five with the longest traditional records and the most modern clinical interest.

Functional mushrooms differ from culinary mushrooms in a few ways. They tend to be tougher, woodier, and often bitter. They are not eaten whole at a meal; they are extracted into something drinkable. And they carry compounds that culinary mushrooms either lack entirely or carry at lower levels.

The four families of actives.

Four classes of compound do most of the work.

You do not need to remember the chemistry. You need to know that how the mushroom is processed determines how much active compound makes it into the cup.

Whole mushroom vs. extract.

Two formats matter on the shelf. Whole-mushroom powder is the dried fruit body or mycelium, milled. Dual extract is the same material processed twice: once in alcohol to pull triterpenes, once in hot water to pull beta-glucans, then dried back to powder. Extracts deliver more active per gram. Whole-mushroom powders give you the full spectrum and are often better in cooking.

Tare carries whole-mushroom powders. For daily morning-coffee or evening-tea use, this is the right format. If you are specifically going after one of the standardized clinical effects, a dual-extract capsule (sourced separately) is the higher-dose route.

How to actually take them.

Three patterns work for most people.

Effects are slow. Plan on a month of consistent daily use before judging.

Tare Almanac · Volume FourPage 2
Tare Almanac · Volume FourAdaptogens & Energy.
02
Chapter 02 of 05

Adaptogens & Energy.

Cordyceps for endurance, Reishi for calm. The yin and yang of functional fungi.

In this chapter
Cordyceps Mushroom PowderCordyceps militaris4
Red Reishi Mushroom PowderGanoderma lucidum4
✦ ✦ ✦
Tare Almanac · Volume Four3
Tare Almanac · Volume Four · Adaptogens & Energy.Page 4
Powder · Endurance adaptogen

Cordyceps Mushroom Powder

Cordyceps militaris

A bright orange fruiting body that grows on caterpillars in the wild and on rice substrate in modern cultivation. Stir it into morning coffee or pre-workout for cellular energy.

What it's for.

Aerobic endurance, recovery from hard workouts, low-grade fatigue. Modern research focuses on ATP production and oxygen uptake; the strongest evidence is for trained athletes pushing aerobic ceilings.

How to use it.

A half teaspoon stirred into coffee, tea, or a smoothie. Effects are subtle and cumulative; take it for two to three weeks before you judge. Pre-workout is the most common pattern.

When to skip it.

Talk to a doctor if on blood thinners or immunosuppressants. Skip in pregnancy. Generally well-tolerated otherwise.

Powder · Evening calm

Red Reishi Mushroom Powder

Ganoderma lucidum

A dense, kidney-shaped polypore the color of old leather. "The mushroom of immortality" in classical Chinese pharmacopeia, taken nightly for steady nervous-system tone.

What it's for.

Sleep onset, baseline stress, mild immune support. The bitter triterpenes are the studied actives; effects are slow and cumulative, on the order of weeks rather than nights.

How to use it.

A half teaspoon simmered in warm milk of choice with a little honey, taken an hour before bed. Or capsules if the bitter is too much.

When to skip it.

Skip with blood thinners, before surgery, and with active autoimmune flares.

× × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × ×
Tare Almanac · Volume FourRefill what you need
Recipe · Adaptogens & Energy.Page 5

Reishi Hot Chocolate Elixir

✦ ✦ ✦

<p>This luxurious hot chocolate combines the comfort of cocoa with the wellness benefits of reishi mushroom. The earthy, slightly bitter notes of reishi are beautifully balanced by rich chocolate and natural sweeteners.</p><h2>Ingredients</h2><ul><li>2 cups unsweetened almond or oat milk</li><li>3 tbsp <strong>Cocoa Powder</strong></li><li>1/2 tsp <strong>Red Reishi Mushroom Powder</strong></li><li>2 tbsp <strong>TN Maple Syrup</strong></li><li>1 tsp <strong>Vanilla Extract</strong></li><li>1/4 tsp <strong>Ceylon Cinnamon</strong></li><li>Pinch of <strong>Redmond Real Salt</strong></li><li>1 tbsp coconut cream (optional)</li></ul><p><em>*Bolded ingredients are products we typically carry at Tare Bulk Foods.</em></p><h2>Directions</h2><ol><li>Heat non-dairy milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until steaming but not boiling.</li><li>In a small bowl, whisk together cocoa powder, reishi mushroom powder, and cinnamon to break up any clumps.</li><li>Add a few tablespoons of the warm milk to the cocoa mixture and whisk until smooth paste forms.</li><li>Whisk the cocoa paste back into the saucepan with remaining milk. Add maple syrup, vanilla, and salt.</li><li>Heat through for 2-3 minutes, whisking constantly. Pour into mugs and top with coconut cream if desired.</li></ol><h2>Notes</h2><ul><li><strong>Red Reishi Mushroom Powder</strong> has a woody, bitter taste, so start with less if you're sensitive to bitter flavors.</li><li>Add a pinch of <strong>Cayenne</strong> for a spicy Mexican-style hot chocolate.</li><li>Try <strong>Cacao Powder</strong> instead of cocoa powder for a more intense, less processed chocolate flavor.</li><li>Best enjoyed in the evening as reishi is traditionally used for relaxation and sleep support.</li></ul>

Tare Almanac · Volume FourPage 5
Tare Almanac · Volume FourBrain & Nerve.
03
Chapter 03 of 05

Brain & Nerve.

Lion's Mane, the mushroom with the most active research interest right now.

In this chapter
Lion's Mane Mushroom PowderHericium erinaceus7
✦ ✦ ✦
Tare Almanac · Volume Four6
Tare Almanac · Volume Four · Brain & Nerve.Page 7
Powder · Brain & nerve

Lion's Mane Mushroom Powder

Hericium erinaceus

A white, cascading shaggy mushroom that looks like a frozen waterfall. Of the functional mushrooms, the one with the most active research interest right now, mainly around nerve growth factor and working memory.

What it's for.

Working memory, mild cognitive support, traditional Japanese use for "mountain priests" (yamabushi). Early Japanese trials and small Western studies; evidence is preliminary but interesting.

How to use it.

A half teaspoon in coffee, tea, or oatmeal. Daily, for a month or two, to feel any shift. Often paired with coffee for morning focus.

When to skip it.

Generally very safe. Skip with mushroom allergies. Talk to a doctor if on chemotherapy or immune-modulating drugs.

✦
Brain & Nerve.
✦
× × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × ×
Tare Almanac · Volume FourRefill what you need
Recipe · Brain & Nerve.Page 8

Mushroom Coffee Latte

✦ ✦ ✦

<p>Mushroom coffee blends adaptogenic mushrooms right into the coffee grounds, so you get a smoother energy boost without the crash that regular coffee can bring. This latte dresses it up with frothed milk and a hint of cinnamon, making it a daily ritual that is both delicious and functional.</p><h2>Ingredients</h2><ul><li>2 tbsp <strong>mushroom coffee</strong></li><li>1 cup hot water</li><li>1 cup milk of choice, frothed</li><li>1/4 tsp <strong>Ceylon cinnamon</strong></li><li>1 tbsp <strong>Duck River honey</strong> or sweetener of choice</li></ul><p><em>*Bolded ingredients are products we typically carry at Tare Bulk Foods.</em></p><h2>Directions</h2><ol><li>Brew the mushroom coffee with 1 cup of hot water using your preferred method (pour-over, French press, or drip).</li><li>Stir in the cinnamon and honey while the coffee is hot.</li><li>Froth the milk and pour it over the coffee.</li><li>Give it a gentle stir and enjoy.</li></ol><h2>Notes</h2><ul><li>For an iced version, brew the coffee double-strength, let it cool, then pour over ice and top with cold milk.</li><li>Add 1/4 teaspoon of <strong>lion's mane mushroom powder</strong> for even more focus support.</li><li>A splash of <strong>vanilla extract</strong> makes this taste like a vanilla mushroom latte.</li></ul>

Tare Almanac · Volume FourPage 8
Tare Almanac · Volume FourImmune & Antioxidant.
04
Chapter 04 of 05

Immune & Antioxidant.

Chaga for antioxidant load, Shiitake for immune polysaccharides. The only one in this book you can also cook with.

In this chapter
Chaga Mushroom PowderInonotus obliquus10
Shiitake Mushroom PowderLentinula edodes10
✦ ✦ ✦
Tare Almanac · Volume Four9
Tare Almanac · Volume Four · Immune & Antioxidant.Page 10
Powder · Antioxidant tea

Chaga Mushroom Powder

Inonotus obliquus

A black, charred-looking conk that grows on birch trees in cold climates. Brewed as a tea for generations across Russia and the Nordic countries; one of the densest food sources of antioxidants by weight.

What it's for.

Daily antioxidant load, mild immune support, traditional use for skin and digestive complaints. Modern interest is high; clinical research is limited but growing.

How to use it.

A heaping teaspoon simmered for fifteen minutes, drunk like coffee. Reusable: dry the spent chunks and resimmer twice. Often blended with cocoa.

When to skip it.

Skip with blood thinners, before surgery, and with insulin-dependent diabetes (it can lower blood sugar).

Powder · Immune polysaccharides

Shiitake Mushroom Powder

Lentinula edodes

The dried, milled cap of the shiitake. The only mushroom in this book you can also cook with as a vegetable; the powder gives broth-deep umami plus the immune polysaccharide lentinan.

What it's for.

Mild immune support, daily umami in cooking, traditional Japanese use as both food and tonic. The polysaccharide lentinan is well-studied in clinical settings; the food-grade powder gives a smaller dose.

How to use it.

A teaspoon stirred into broth, miso soup, or a pan of sautéing vegetables for instant depth. Or capsules for daily immune dosing.

When to skip it.

Some people get a skin reaction to large amounts of raw or undercooked shiitake; cooked powder is generally safe. Skip if you've had a previous shiitake reaction.

× × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × ×
Tare Almanac · Volume FourRefill what you need
Recipe · Immune & Antioxidant.Page 11

Shiitake Mushroom Bone Broth

✦ ✦ ✦

<p>This deeply nourishing broth combines the collagen-rich benefits of slow-simmered bones with the immune-supporting compounds and umami depth of shiitake mushrooms.</p><h2>Ingredients</h2><ul><li>3 pounds <strong>beef soup bones</strong></li><li>2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar</li><li>1 large onion, quartered</li><li>2 carrots, roughly chopped</li><li>2 celery stalks, roughly chopped</li><li>4 <strong>garlic</strong> cloves, smashed</li><li>2 <strong>bay leaves</strong></li><li>1 tablespoon <strong>shiitake mushroom powder</strong></li><li>1 teaspoon <strong>black peppercorns</strong></li><li>2 teaspoons <strong>Redmond Real Salt</strong></li><li>Fresh water to cover</li></ul><p><em>*Bolded ingredients are products we typically carry at Tare Bulk Foods.</em></p><h2>Directions</h2><ol><li>Preheat oven to 425°F and roast beef bones on a lined baking sheet for 45 minutes, turning once halfway through.</li><li>Transfer roasted bones to a large stockpot or slow cooker and add apple cider vinegar. Let sit for 30 minutes.</li><li>Add onion, carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns to the pot.</li><li>Cover with cold water by 2 inches and bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.</li><li>Reduce heat to low and maintain a very gentle simmer, skimming foam occasionally for the first hour.</li><li>Simmer uncovered for 18-24 hours, adding water as needed to keep bones covered.</li><li>During the last hour, stir in shiitake mushroom powder and salt.</li><li>Strain through a fine mesh strainer, discarding solids. Cool completely before refrigerating.</li></ol><h2>Notes</h2><ul><li>Add <strong>ginger root</strong> pieces during simmering for additional anti-inflammatory benefits.</li><li>Try <strong>lion's mane mushroom powder</strong> instead of shiitake for cognitive support properties.</li><li>Properly made broth will gel when chilled due to natural collagen extraction.</li></ul>

Tare Almanac · Volume FourPage 11
Tare Almanac · Volume FourThe Daily Practice.
05
Chapter 05 of 05

The Daily Practice.

Stacking, cycling, what to take with food, and a thirty-day starter.

✦ ✦ ✦
Tare Almanac · Volume Four12
Tare Almanac · Volume Four · The Daily Practice.Page 13

Stacking, not single-shot.

The way functional mushrooms work in traditional practice is by stacking: a small daily amount of two or three, taken at different times of day, building on each other over weeks. No one mushroom is a silver bullet. The five in this book complement each other on purpose.

The most common starter stack looks like this.

What to take with food, and what alone.

Most of the studied actives in mushrooms are fat-soluble. Taking them with a little fat (whole milk, nut butter, an avocado in a smoothie) helps absorption. Shiitake is the exception; the umami factor means it almost always lands in food anyway.

Reishi's bitter triterpenes can sit hard on an empty stomach. If yours does, take it with food.

Should you cycle?

Traditional Chinese herbalism does not really cycle mushrooms; they are taken as long-running tonics, often for months or years. Some modern Western practitioners suggest five-days-on, two-off, mostly out of caution rather than evidence. The clinical research has not shown any decline-of-effect with continuous use, so we do not see a strong case for cycling.

The case for a break is the standard one. If you have been on something for three months and you cannot tell whether it is doing anything, stop for two weeks and see if you miss it. That is its own answer.

The mushroom-coffee question.

Mushroom coffee, in jar or capsule form, is just regular coffee with a couple of mushroom extracts added before grinding. We carry a version in Volume Two's coffee chapter. It is a reasonable shortcut if you find yourself forgetting to stir powder into your cup every morning. It is not magic; it is convenience.

If you are choosing between mushroom coffee and stirring powder into your own coffee, the stirred version is more concentrated. The mushroom coffee blend lets you skip a step.

A thirty-day starter.

The plan we recommend for a first month of consistent practice.

Adjust to your own life. The point is consistency, not the specifics.

Tare Almanac · Volume FourPage 13
Recipe · The Daily Practice.Page 14

Mushroom Wellness Broth

✦ ✦ ✦

<p>This is not your typical broth. Medicinal mushroom powders bring deep, earthy umami flavor and have been prized in traditional medicine systems around the world for centuries. Turmeric adds golden color and warmth. It tastes surprisingly savory and satisfying, and you can sip it straight from a mug or use it as the base for any soup recipe.</p><h2>Ingredients</h2><ul><li>1 tsp <strong>lion's mane mushroom powder</strong></li><li>1 tsp <strong>chaga mushroom powder</strong></li><li>½ tsp <strong>red reishi mushroom powder</strong></li><li>½ tsp <strong>ground turmeric</strong></li><li>Pinch of <strong>black pepper</strong></li><li>Pinch of <strong>Redmond Real Salt</strong></li><li>2 cups hot water</li><li>1 tsp <strong>extra virgin olive oil</strong></li></ul><p><em>*Bolded ingredients are products we typically carry at Tare Bulk Foods.</em></p><h2>Directions</h2><ol><li>Bring the water to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.</li><li>Whisk in the lion's mane, chaga, reishi, turmeric, black pepper, and salt until fully dissolved.</li><li>Simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.</li><li>Pour into a mug and stir in the olive oil (the fat helps with absorption of the beneficial compounds).</li></ol><h2>Notes</h2><ul><li>Reishi can be bitter, so start with ½ teaspoon and adjust up if you enjoy the flavor.</li><li>Add a clove of minced garlic and a splash of tamari during simmering for a richer, more savory broth.</li><li>This also works well as a base for miso soup or ramen.</li></ul>

Tare Almanac · Volume FourPage 14
Back MatterLatin Index
Botanical & Source Names

Latin to common.

For when you are checking sourcing or further reading.

Latin nameCommon name
Cordyceps militarisCordyceps Mushroom Powder
Ganoderma lucidumRed Reishi Mushroom Powder
Hericium erinaceusLion's Mane Mushroom Powder
Inonotus obliquusChaga Mushroom Powder
Lentinula edodesShiitake Mushroom Powder
Tare Almanac · Volume FourLatin Index
Tare Almanac · Volume Four

All Things
Mushroom

A field guide to the five functional-mushroom powders on the apothecary shelf at Tare Bulk Foods. Plain advice, the science behind it, and a thirty-day starter practice.

Tare Almanac · Volume Four
tarebulkfoods.com

· · ·