Today, functional mushrooms are seen everywhere. New companies selling functional mushroom products are constantly popping up, and more and more articles continue to pour out about them. This all begs the question: when did this all start, and what first sparked the wave of interest in functional mushrooms? In today’s blog post, we are going to explore the 1970s mushroom boom and how it sparked modern interest in both the scientific community and the wellness industry.

The Rise of Alternative Health

In the 1970s, there was a growing shift toward alternative health practices, with more people questioning conventional medicine. As the wellness movement began to take shape, people turned to natural remedies, including mushrooms. In particular, reishi, shiitake, and maitake were used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for their health-boosting properties, and this knowledge began to spread to the West.

Early Scientific Interest

Alongside cultural shifts, the 1970s also saw the beginning of scientific research into the medicinal properties of mushrooms. Early studies focused on polysaccharides— a key compound found in mushrooms. Although much of the research was preliminary, it sparked curiosity about the health benefits of these fungi.

Health Food Stores and Growing Awareness

As health food stores gained popularity during this time, functional mushrooms started to appear in niche markets. Consumers looking for natural alternatives to pharmaceutical products began exploring mushrooms like reishi for their immune-supportive properties. Books and articles began to spread knowledge, and while claims that mushrooms could cure chronic diseases were not scientifically backed, the interest in their health benefits continued to grow.

Legacy of the 1970s Mushroom Boom

While the functional mushroom movement didn’t become mainstream until much later, the 1970s set the stage for the explosion of interest we see today. Early exposure to functional mushrooms in health food stores, along with increasing scientific attention, planted the seeds for future growth in the wellness sector. Today, functional mushrooms are recognized for their potential benefits, from immune support to cognitive enhancement.

Conclusion

The 1970s was a pivotal time for functional mushrooms. With growing exposure to the West and their inclusion in local health food stores, word about these little gems began to spread rapidly. Although, at the time, there were few scientific studies to back up the claims floating around about them, they still gained traction among individuals looking for natural alternatives to modern medicine. Fast forward to today, and functional mushrooms are everywhere. With countless studies showing promising results, the craze around these little mushrooms isn’t fading anytime soon—or at all.

If you enjoyed learning about the 1970s mushroom boom, check out our other blog posts, where we cover similar topics just like this one.

In recent years, functional mushrooms have gained immense popularity among health-conscious consumers. These mushrooms are now featured in a variety of wellness products, including powders, capsules, and even gummies. As the trend grows rapidly, it’s only natural that consumers have more questions about both the products and the mushrooms behind them. In today’s blog post, we’ll address a common question among functional mushroom enthusiasts: Why does the colour vary between different batches of the same mushroom?

What Causes Colour Variation in Functional Mushrooms?

Functional mushrooms are harvested from nature and cultivated under a variety of conditions. Factors such as the substrate (material the mushroom grows on), growing environment (humidity, temperature, light exposure), and the mushroom’s age can all contribute to subtle differences in their appearance. These factors are often beyond the control of farmers, yet they play a key role in the colour of the mushroom.

1. Natural Biological Variation
   Just like apples from the same tree can differ slightly in shade, each lion’s mane fruiting body is unique. Genetics within the strain can cause subtle differences in pigment intensity or the length and density of the spines, resulting in some mushrooms looking darker while others appear brighter.
   
2. Substrate and Cultivation Methods
   The substrate—whether it’s wood, soil, or a specialized growing medium—can impact the mushroom’s pigmentation. Mushrooms absorb nutrients from their environment, and different substrates can influence the final colour of the fruiting body. Additionally, cultivation methods (such as controlled indoor environments or open-air farms) can contribute to colour differences. This is especially true for species like Reishi, which can change colour based on growth conditions, shifting from light golden hues to deeper red tones.
   
3. Mushroom Maturity
   The age and stage of the mushroom at harvest can also affect its appearance. Younger mushrooms may appear lighter in colour, while more mature fruiting bodies can display darker, richer hues. As mushrooms continue to grow, their pigmentation may naturally change, but this doesn’t impact their active compounds.

Does Colour Affect Potency?

One of the most important points to emphasize is that colour variation does not impact the potency or effectiveness of the functional mushrooms. The active compounds found in functional mushrooms, such as beta-glucans, triterpenoids, and ergothioneine, are not influenced by the colour of the mushroom. These compounds are present regardless of whether the mushroom is lighter or darker in colour.

Potency is determined by factors such as the species of mushroom, the cultivation process, and how the mushrooms are processed and prepared. At Organic Mushrooms we use a 10:1 extraction ratio for all of our mushroom products. This means that for every 10 parts of raw mushroom material we process, 1 part of concentrated extract is produced, ensuring extreme potency.

Why Colour Variation Shouldn’t Be a Cause for Concern

Despite being an entirely natural phenomenon, some consumers may mistakenly believe that colour differences signify a change in the mushroom’s quality. It’s important to remember that colour in mushrooms, especially in functional varieties, is not a direct indicator of health benefits. What matters most is the quality of the mushroom and how it has been processed to retain its potency. As long as the mushrooms are harvested and handled properly, their effectiveness will remain intact regardless of colour.

If you are purchasing functional mushrooms from a trusted source, it’s highly unlikely that colour variations between batches would indicate any underlying problem. Instead, it’s simply a reflection of the natural growing process.

How to Choose the Best Functional Mushroom Products

To ensure you’re getting the highest quality functional mushrooms in products you purchase, here are a few tips:

• Check for Lab Testing: Look for brands that provide lab reports or Certificates of Analysis (COA). These reports verify the potency of the mushrooms and ensure they meet quality standards. You can find our COA’s at our Transparency page on our website.
  
• Read Consumer Reviews: Reviews from other customers can give you insight into the consistency and effectiveness of the product, regardless of its appearance.
  
• Choose Trusted Brands: Reputable companies that specialize in functional mushrooms often have quality control measures in place to ensure that colour variation doesn’t affect the final product’s potency.
  

Conclusion

In summary, finding colour variations in mushroom products from the same batch is totally normal! These colour variations are due to factors like the growing process, mushroom maturity, and even the processing methods used to prepare mushrooms for products. So, next time you see a functional mushroom product with a slightly different colour than you remember, don’t worry, it’s just as potent and will function the same! 

If you want to learn more about functional mushrooms, what they are, and how you can start your functional mushroom journey, check out our blog page for more information!