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5 misconceptions about functional mushrooms

5 misconceptions about functional mushrooms

Misconception #1: Mushrooms taste gross

Sure, and so does apple pie if it’s prepared incorrectly. The good news is, the word foodie is relatively new! People take food seriously these days and cooking with mushrooms is all the rage. Lion’s mane crab cakes, king trumpet ramen, oyster carnitas oh my! We’ve come a long way from mushroom soup from a can. 

And Umbo’s functional mushroom bar is a really delicious way to introduce 2.5 grams of mushrooms into your diet! Finally a bar you’ll crave, not just tolerate.

Cooked lion's mane


Misconception #2: I eat well, I don’t need mushrooms

Wrong! Mushrooms are part of their very own kingdom! There are only 5, people! They have their own. A diverse diet that includes the fungi kingdom is very important. Imagine if someone promoted the fact that many plants are poisonous? And we stopped eating vegetables. You’d certainly see a decline in health if broccoli and spinach were revered as unsafe to eat! And reintroducing it could be challenging. 

Mushrooms contain a lot of amazing vitamins, minerals, and compounds that can support overall health and well-being. We all need to eat more mushrooms. 


Misconception #3: All mushrooms are created equal

Mushroom is kind of a loaded word these days. Mushrooms supplements and mycelium on grain products should fall into two different categories. Mycelium is the “roots” of mushrooms and is, by itself, very beneficial. But when ground up with the grain it’s grown on, we’re not quite sold on that. They call it mycelial biomass. Organic fruiting bodies, what you think of when you see a mushroom, are what Umbo uses. We believe in organic fruiting bodies and nothing but the organic fruiting bodies…currently. Again mycelium is very important. And we hope to include mycelium without the substrate it’s grown on AND organic fruiting bodies, in the future. 

Cordyceps

Misconception #4: I have mushrooms on my pizza, aren’t I getting the benefits?

Yes and no. We categorize mushrooms into 3 groups. Gourmet, functional, and medicinal. While some mushrooms like Lion’s Mane fit all three categories, these categories can help. Think of gourmet as buttons mushrooms at the grocery store or portobello. Certainly, they contain great benefits but most are considered food. Reishi, turkey tail, cordyceps, and lion’s mane all fit the functional category. Lots of functionality and health benefits, but not traditionally used as food. And then as the legal landscape of psilocybin-containing mushrooms evolves, we believe the narrative will refer to medicinal mushrooms as psilocybin. 

Mushrooms are very diverse and can cross categories, but a variety of types from these categories can assure the most health benefits. 

 

Misconception #5: I don’t want to trip

This is by far the number one thing said to Umbo when we offer our products! Functional mushrooms will not take you on a trip! Westerners seem to have a bit of mycophobia and around the world, mushrooms are revered as delicious food and medicine. Psilocybin mushrooms have certainly come a long way in the last three years, but they are currently 100% illegal. Not 99%, 100%. Yes, you can find shady companies online selling this. But unfortunately, you can find just about anything on the internet. 

Umbo’s products are 100% legal and have been used and sold in grocery stores as long as they have been around! We believe functional mushrooms have as much potential as psilocybin to help advance people’s health and wellness and we want to encourage positive experiences with our products. No trip necessary.

Make functional mushrooms a part of your daily health routine. Shop now.