Reishi powder, capsules, or extract: which should you choose?

Short answer: Choose reishi powder, capsules or extract based on taste, convenience and concentration. Mix powder into coffee or a smoothie, capsules contain the same powder without the bitter taste, and extract is concentrated so you need fewer capsules per day. The three forms cost between €0.20 and €0.60 per day from us (price as of October 19, 2026).

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

"Capsules or extract, what do you recommend?" That's the question we get most often via the chat on our webshop, and with reishi the choice is actually even harder because the taste is so strong. That's why I'm comparing the three forms here, including what you get per day and what it costs.

What's the difference between reishi powder, capsules and extract?

Reishi powder is dried, ground reishi with no further processing. Reishi capsules contain the same powder in a measured capsule, while reishi extract is concentrated: compounds are extracted from the mushroom using hot water, alcohol or both, then evaporated. So the difference lies in concentration, taste and convenience, not in the mushroom itself.

Reishi is called gesteelde lakzwam in Dutch, reishi or lingzhi in English, and Ganoderma lucidum in Latin. It's a hard, shiny wood-growing mushroom that you don't cook or eat like a button mushroom. Read more about the mushroom itself in our article about the reishi mushroom.

An extraction ratio is the ratio between the amount of dried mushroom and the amount of extract left over. At 20:1, 20 grams of dried reishi is reduced to 1 gram of extract. This tells you something about the concentration, but nothing about the content of specific compounds.

Reishi powder, capsules or extract: which form is right for you?

If you want to add reishi to your coffee, tea or smoothie, powder is a good fit. If you don't want to taste the bitterness and want a set amount each time, capsules are a good fit. And if you want to take as few capsules as possible and a stated polysaccharide content, an extract is a good fit. There's no form that's best for everyone.

You can also find reishi drops (tincture) in stores. This is a liquid extract, and the same questions apply: which part of the mushroom, what extraction method, and what concentration.

Why does reishi powder taste so bitter, and can you taste it with capsules?

Reishi tastes bitter because of triterpenes, such as ganoderic acids. Triterpenes are compounds with a 30-carbon skeleton, and more than 100 have been described in reishi (Wachtel-Galor et al., 2011). You taste them directly in powder, but not at all in a capsule, because the capsule only opens in your stomach.

In our reviews, customers often describe the reishi powder as earthy-tasting. It does mix well into coffee, shakes, yogurt, and oatmeal. Capsules are appreciated for being odorless (Judge.me, retrieved October 15, 2026).

One of our customers told us that he transfers his lion's mane powder into a jar at home because scooping it out of the bag was difficult. Our reishi powder also comes in a bag, so the same applies here. If you choose powder, you may make a bit more mess than with capsules.

How much reishi do you get per day in each form?

With powder and powder capsules, 1 gram of product is simply 1 gram of dried reishi; with an extract, multiply by the extraction ratio: two 400 mg extract capsules (20:1) thus work out mathematically to 16 grams of dried mushroom. How much you take per day is stated on your product's packaging, because there is no official recommended amount for reishi.

How much does reishi cost per day as powder, capsules, or extract?

At GOYU, one package of reishi powder, capsules, or extract costs €11.96 on October 19, 2026. According to the package directions, powder and capsules last 20 to 30 days, and extract lasts 30 to 60 days. That works out to €0.40 to €0.60 per day for powder and capsules, and €0.20 to €0.40 for extract.

Note: €11.96 was a promotional price on October 19, 2026; the regular price is €15.95. That works out to €0.53 to €0.80 per day for powder and capsules, and €0.27 to €0.53 for extract. Prices change, so check the calculation when you order.

What should you look for when choosing a reishi supplement, regardless of the form?

Whichever form you choose, check the same four things: the species (Ganoderma lucidum), the part used (fruiting body or mycelium), the extraction method, and lab tests for heavy metals. An extract should also state its beta-glucan or triterpene content. That’s important, because the quality of reishi products varies widely.

One study analyzed 19 batches of reishi supplements purchased in the United States. In only 5 of them (26.3%) did the measured ingredients match the label (Wu et al., 2017).

In 11 reishi products from shops in Hong Kong, triterpene content ranged from undetectable to 7.8%, while polysaccharide content ranged from 1.1 to 5.8% (Wachtel-Galor et al., 2011).

• Fruiting body. The fruiting body is the mushroom you can see. Mycelium is the thread-like network beneath it, and reishi mycelium is not approved as a novel food in supplements in the EU. Learn more about fruiting bodies or mycelium.
• Extraction method. Hot water mainly extracts polysaccharides, while alcohol mainly extracts triterpenes. Dual extraction uses both.
• Content. Beta-glucans are chains of sugars from the mushroom cell wall. A percentage on the label tells you more than a ratio such as 20:1 alone.
• Certificate of analysis. A batch-specific CoA shows what has been tested. Here’s how to read a CoA.

For a full list of criteria, including for other mushrooms, read how to choose the best mushroom supplement. Compare reishi brands in best reishi supplement in the Netherlands.

When is reishi a bad idea in any form?

Reishi is not suitable if you’re allergic to mushrooms. If you take blood thinners or other medications, consult your doctor or pharmacist first. The same applies during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or before a planned surgery, whether you choose powder, capsules, or extract.

The form doesn’t change that. An extract is more concentrated, so follow the label especially carefully. And if you’re combining multiple products containing reishi, add up the amounts.

You can read more about this in reishi side effects.

What’s on the packaging of our reishi?

All our reishi is made from the fruiting body of Ganoderma lucidum, without fillers, colorants or preservatives, and with an HPMC capsule shell. The powder and capsules are organic; the extract is not. Below are the serving instructions from the packaging for each form and other details listed on it.

• Reishi powder (60 g, organic): "Take 2-3 scoops per day (approximately 2-3 g)." Ideally, weigh it on a kitchen scale that measures to 0.1 grams, as the amount in a scoop varies each time.
• Reishi capsules (60 x 500 mg, organic): 2-3 capsules per day. Reishi contributes to the body's natural defences*. Reishi contributes to healthy circulation*.
• Reishi extract capsules (60 count, 20:1, water and ethanol, 400 mg extract per capsule, of which 30% is beta-glucans and 40% polysaccharides): "Take 1 capsule once or twice a day with water." Reishi helps support the immune system*.

To be honest, our extract doesn’t state a triterpene content, only beta-glucans (30%) and polysaccharides (40%). If you’re specifically looking for a stated triterpene content, we’re not the best choice. We do have a certificate of analysis (CoA) for every batch, which you can request via support@getgoyu.com.

So what do I recommend for the question of capsules or extract? I’d simply consider how much you want to take and whether a stated polysaccharide content is important to you. If you want the whole mushroom and like to mix it in, choose powder.

Summary in 3 points

• Reishi powder and capsules contain the whole ground mushroom, while an extract is concentrated. Two 400 mg extract capsules (20:1) are mathematically equivalent to 16 grams of dried reishi.
• As of October 19, 2026, our reishi costs €0.20 to €0.60 per day, depending on the form and the dosage on the package.
• For each form, check for fruiting body, extraction method, a stated content level and a CoA. In one study, only 5 of 19 reishi batches matched their labels.

Frequently asked questions

Is reishi extract better than reishi powder?

Not necessarily. An extract is more concentrated and often states its beta-glucan content, while powder contains the whole mushroom and can be mixed into anything. Which form is right for you depends on your preferences and routine.

Can I add reishi powder to coffee?

Yes, you can. Just don't expect a neutral taste, because reishi is bitter. Its taste is least noticeable in coffee, cocoa, or a smoothie. Find recipes at make your own mushroom coffee.

What does 20:1 mean for reishi extract?

That means 20 grams of dried reishi have been reduced to 1 gram of extract. It indicates the concentration, but not the beta-glucan or triterpene content. Check the percentage on the label for that.

Can I combine reishi powder and capsules?

You can, but add the amounts together and stay within the daily dose on the package.

Which is cheaper per day: reishi powder or capsules?

Here, powder and capsules cost the same per day: €0.40 to €0.60 for one package (price as of October 19, 2026). The extract costs less per day because you take less of it.

Sources

1. Wu DT, Deng Y, Chen LX, Zhao J, Bzhelyansky A, Li SP. Evaluation on quality consistency of Ganoderma lucidum dietary supplements collected in the United States. Sci Rep. 2017;7(1):7792. Europe PMC 28798349
2. 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
3. Packaging text and product pages for Reishi Powder, Reishi Capsules, and Reishi Extract Capsules from GOYU, prices checked on October 19, 2026.
4. Customer reviews of reishi powder (10 reviews, average 4.7), reishi capsules (15 reviews, 4.6), and reishi extract capsules (11 reviews, 4.55). Judge.me, retrieved October 15, 2026.

Find all forms of our reishi on the buy reishi page.

*Health claim pending approval by the European Commission.

This article is for informational purposes 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.