Cordyceps Mushroom Powder
Cordyceps is the mushroom that grows on insects in the wild, which is a strange origin story for something you can stir into your morning coffee.
What It Is
Most cordyceps powder sold today is cultivated on grain rather than its original insect hosts, which is a relief for everyone involved. The dried fruiting bodies are ground into a fine, pale powder with a mild, faintly earthy flavor that disappears easily into drinks and food. It has a long history in Chinese cooking and traditional practice, where it was stirred into broths and teas as a nourishing ingredient rather than used as a seasoning.
Unlike shiitake or lion's mane, cordyceps brings almost no mushroom flavor to a dish. It is there more as a nutritional addition than a taste one, which makes it unusually easy to work with.
What To Do
Start with half a teaspoon to one teaspoon per serving. It blends cleanly into smoothies, coffee, or hot chocolate. Stir it into oatmeal, mix it into a savory broth, or whisk it into golden milk with your milk of choice and a pinch of cinnamon. It does not clump badly but dissolves best when the liquid is warm.
Store it in a sealed container away from light and moisture. A cool, dry cabinet works well. Use it within a year for best flavor, though the powder keeps a long time without going off.
