Where We Source Our Mushroom Extracts From

One of the most common questions we receive is where our mushrooms are grown.

The answer is primarily China, with the exception of our Chaga, which is wild-harvested in Siberia.

For some people unfamiliar with medicinal mushrooms, hearing “China” can initially raise concerns around quality. Given the reputation of some mass-produced products coming from China, this reaction is understandable.

However, when it comes to medicinal mushroom cultivation and extraction, we believe China produces some of the best mushroom extracts in the world.

In fact, the long history, growing conditions, and traditional cultivation practices found throughout parts of Asia are a major reason we intentionally source our mushrooms there.

Why China?

Medicinal mushrooms have been cultivated and used throughout China and other parts of Asia for thousands of years.

Many of the world’s most well-known medicinal mushrooms naturally originate from these regions and are deeply connected to traditional cultivation knowledge and practices.

There are also strict regulations around mushroom cultivation within New Zealand.

Under New Zealand’s Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996, only a limited number of mushroom species are permitted to be cultivated or imported fresh.

Of the medicinal mushrooms we currently supply, only Turkey Tail and Pekepeke-kiore (NZ Lion’s Mane) are permitted for cultivation within New Zealand.

Comparing Global Cultivation Practices

Medicinal mushrooms are also commercially grown in the United States and Europe, however the cultivation methods can differ significantly.

Many Western producers focus on indoor cultivation using grain-based substrates to produce mycelium products at scale in highly controlled environments.

While this approach can improve consistency and output, it often results in products that contain significant amounts of grain material alongside the mushroom mycelium.

Traditional vs Modern Growing Methods

• Traditional Asian cultivation: Many mushroom growers in China still utilise more traditional methods, including growing mushrooms on natural wood-based substrates in environments that more closely resemble their native habitat.
• Modern industrial cultivation: Some modern systems prioritise production efficiency and rapid scaling, which may involve grain-grown mycelium and highly industrialised growing methods.

Of course, not all mushrooms grown in China are automatically high quality. Careful sourcing, supplier relationships, and independent testing remain essential.

Our Commitment to Quality

We source our mushrooms from certified organic farms that follow traditional “Di Dao” cultivation principles, meaning mushrooms are grown in environments closely suited to their natural habitat.

We believe these traditional cultivation methods help produce superior mushroom extracts with stronger active compound profiles.

Our independent beta-glucan testing supports this, with many of our extracts testing significantly above industry averages.

Testing for Purity and Potency

Every batch of mushroom extract we sell undergoes third-party testing for:

• Heavy metals
• Pesticides
• Microbial contaminants
• Beta-glucan content

This testing helps verify that our products are both safe and potent.

We believe transparency and rigorous testing are essential when it comes to medicinal mushrooms, regardless of where they are grown.

If you ever have questions about our sourcing or testing processes, feel free to reach out. We genuinely enjoy talking with customers about all things fungi.