Functional Mushroom

A functional mushroom is a fungus that is valued in food and wellness traditions for more than its basic nutrition, usually because of the natural compounds it contains and the long history of how it has been used. Well-known examples include lion's mane, reishi, cordyceps, chaga and turkey tail.

Where the term comes from

"Functional food" is a marketing and food-industry phrase, not a scientific or regulatory category. It describes foods that people choose for reasons beyond calories, vitamins and flavor. Functional mushrooms fit that idea because many of them have been part of East Asian, Northern European and Indigenous food and tea traditions for centuries. Some, like shiitake and maitake, are everyday cooking mushrooms. Others, like reishi and chaga, are too woody to eat and are usually simmered into teas or made into a mushroom extract.

What makes them interesting

• Distinct compounds: Fungal cell walls contain polysaccharides such as beta-glucans, and some species contain triterpenes. These have been the subject of ongoing laboratory research.
• Earthy flavor: Most functional mushrooms taste savory, woodsy or gently bitter, which is why they pair well with cocoa and coffee.
• Cultural history: Several species appear in traditional Chinese and Japanese texts, Siberian folk practice and modern culinary trends.

Functional mushrooms at Polkadot

Every Polkadot product is a gourmet confection made with a signature functional, adaptogenic mushroom blend. We see the mushroom as a culinary partner for premium Belgian chocolate, with cocoa leading and earthy notes in support. You can read the full story in our guide to functional mushroom chocolate, or browse the Polkadot mushroom chocolate bars to see the range.

A quick tip when shopping any functional mushroom product: read the label for the species used and whether the brand describes the fruiting body, mycelium or both. Clear, specific labeling is a good sign of a brand that cares about ingredients.