Double extraction explained: water and alcohol in mushrooms

Short answer: In double extraction (dual extraction), a mushroom is extracted first with hot water and then with alcohol. This is because not all compounds dissolve in the same liquid: beta-glucans dissolve in hot water, while triterpenes dissolve mainly in alcohol. Using both steps gives you a broader extract than using water or alcohol alone.

Last updated: October 30, 2026 · Written by Florian Fermin

"What do 20:1 or 10:1 actually mean?" We get that question regularly. Understandable, because the labels can all look alike.

So, let me explain what double extraction is and what those numbers do and don't tell you.

What is double extraction in mushrooms?

Double extraction is a production method in which dried mushrooms are extracted in two steps: first in hot water, then in alcohol (ethanol). The two extracts are combined and usually evaporated into a powder or made into a tincture. This brings both water-soluble and alcohol-soluble compounds into one product.

Extraction is the process of dissolving compounds from a material using a liquid. A tincture is a liquid extract made with alcohol, water, or a mixture of the two. Brewing tea is actually the simplest form of water extraction.

Why do producers use both water and alcohol?

Producers use both water and alcohol because mushrooms contain compounds that dissolve in different liquids. Hot water mainly extracts polysaccharides such as beta-glucans from the mushroom, while alcohol mainly extracts triterpenes and other compounds that dissolve poorly in water (Wachtel-Galor et al., 2011). So using just one liquid leaves some of the compounds behind.

Beta-glucans are chains of glucose from the cell walls of mushrooms. Triterpenes are compounds that, among other things, give reishi its bitter taste. You can read more about the former group in our article on beta-glucans in mushrooms.

Which mushrooms benefit most from double extraction?

The difference is greatest for mushrooms with high levels of compounds that dissolve poorly in water. This is certainly true of reishi, which contains triterpenes, and according to manufacturers, also chaga. For mushrooms used mainly for their polysaccharides, a water extract already yields a large share of the known compounds.

• Reishi (lacquered bracket, Ganoderma lucidum): contains triterpenes, which are mainly released using alcohol. Triterpene content also varies considerably between products (Wachtel-Galor et al., 2011). Read our reishi guide.
• Chaga (Inonotus obliquus): manufacturers mainly cite triterpenes such as betulin and water-soluble polyphenols as the reason for dual extraction. Read our chaga article.
• Lion's mane (bearded tooth fungus, Hericium erinaceus): dual extracts are available for this mushroom too, but the difference compared with a water extract is less well documented than for reishi. You can read what users themselves report in lion's mane experiences.

What do 10:1 and 20:1 mean on a mushroom extract?

An extraction ratio such as 10:1 or 20:1 indicates how much dried mushroom was used to make 1 part extract. At 10:1, that’s 10 kilos of mushroom for 1 kilo of extract; at 20:1, it’s 20 kilos. The ratio says something about the concentration, but nothing about which compounds are in the extract.

So a capsule doesn’t contain twenty times “the dose”; it contains the extract from twenty times as much dried mushroom. Without a percentage of beta-glucans or polysaccharides, you still don’t know much. Two extracts with the same ratio can have different contents, depending on the mushroom, the part used, and the liquid.

Why extract a mushroom instead of just grinding it?

Extraction is useful because some of the compounds are trapped in the tough cell wall, which consists largely of chitin. This is a fiber your body can barely digest. Extraction releases compounds that would otherwise remain trapped in the cell wall, while ground powder contains the whole mushroom, including the fiber.

Chitin is a tough, indigestible fiber also found in the shells of insects and crustaceans. Powder does have its own benefits: you can mix it into coffee, yogurt, or a smoothie, and it is less processed.

What are the drawbacks and limitations of dual extraction?

A dual extraction also has drawbacks: the process is more expensive and complex, the finished product no longer contains fiber, and a tincture may contain alcohol. Moreover, the method alone does not tell you how much of each substance it contains. For that, you need a measured content or a certificate of analysis (CoA).

An alcohol-based tincture is less suitable if you don't want to or aren't allowed to consume alcohol, for example during pregnancy. Most of the alcohol has usually evaporated from a concentrated powder, but always check the label.

The part used also determines what an extract contains. For more information, read our article on fruiting body vs. mycelium.

How can you tell if a mushroom extract is well made?

You can assess whether a mushroom extract is well made by checking four points on the label or in the product information: the extraction method (water, alcohol, or both), the extraction ratio, a measured beta-glucan or polysaccharide content, and which part of the mushroom was used. The more of these details are provided, the easier it is to compare products.

• Is the extraction method stated (water, alcohol, or both)?
• Is the ratio stated?
• Is there a measured beta-glucan or polysaccharide content?
• Is it made from the fruiting body?

Which GOYU extracts are made with both water and alcohol?

We have two dual extracts, both from the fruiting body and made with water and ethanol: the lion's mane extract capsules and the reishi extract. The packaging states that each capsule contains 400 mg of extract at a ratio of 20:1, along with the beta-glucan and polysaccharide content. Both are listed for a reason, because the ratio alone doesn't tell you enough.

So what does 20:1 mean in practice? Using the ratio and the recommended use, you can calculate how much dried mushroom is behind each daily dose:

The conversion indicates the amount of starting material, not the effect. The lion's mane tincture is a 10:1 extract from the fruiting body and is alcohol-free. Read more about it in our article on lion's mane tincture.

Would you like to see what was measured in your batch? We can send you the certificate of analysis (CoA) if you email the lot number to support@getgoyu.com.

Summary in 3 points

• A double extraction combines hot water (for beta-glucans) and alcohol (for triterpenes) in one extract.
• A ratio such as 10:1 or 20:1 indicates concentration, not which compounds it contains. A measured content tells you more.
• The difference is best documented for reishi. A tincture may contain alcohol, but alcohol-free tinctures are also available.

Frequently asked questions

Is a double extract always better?

It is broader because it contains both water- and alcohol-soluble compounds. Whether it's a better fit for you depends on the mushroom and your preference.

Does a double extract contain alcohol?

Usually not in an evaporated powder, but often in a tincture. Check the label.

What is a water extract?

An extract made using hot water only. It mainly contains polysaccharides, such as beta-glucans.

Can I make a double extraction at home?

In principle, yes, but then you don't know what the content is. If you'd like a warm drink with chaga, read about how to use chaga powder in warm water in our article on chaga tea.

Is 20:1 more concentrated than 10:1?

Yes, but that tells you nothing about which compounds it contains. Check the measured content.

Sources

1. Wachtel-Galor S, Yuen J, Buswell JA, Benzie IFF. Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi or Reishi). In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, editors. 2nd ed. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2011. Chapter 9. NCBI Bookshelf NBK92757
2. GOYU, packaging for Lion's Mane Extract Capsules, Reishi Extract Capsules and Lion's Mane Tincture (ingredients and directions for use), accessed October 2026.

You can find all our mushrooms on the buy mushroom supplements page.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Dietary supplements are not a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. If in doubt, or if you are pregnant or taking medication, consult your doctor or pharmacist.