Why is reishi so bitter? About taste and triterpenes

Short answer: Reishi tastes bitter because of triterpenes, especially ganoderic acids, more than 100 of which have been described in reishi (lingzhi, Ganoderma lucidum). A reishi product that isn't bitter at all may contain few triterpenes. The bitter taste is less pronounced with cocoa, spices, or capsules.

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

Reishi is the mushroom whose flavor you notice most. In reviews, customers describe our reishi powder as earthy, which is fair. Here, I'll explain where the bitterness comes from, what it does and doesn't tell you about a product, and how you can work around it.

Why does reishi taste so bitter?

Reishi tastes bitter because of triterpenes, a group of plant and fungal compounds, more than 100 of which with known structures have been described in Ganoderma lucidum. According to a review chapter by Hong Kong Polytechnic University, these triterpenes are what give the mushroom its bitter taste. How bitter a product is depends on the part of the mushroom and how it is prepared.

Triterpenes are compounds made up of six isoprene units, and in reishi they are found mainly as ganoderic acids and lucidic acids. Ganoderic acids A and B were the first to be isolated, in 1982 (Wachtel-Galor et al., 2011). The levels vary by part of the mushroom and stage of growth.

So the bitterness is not a sign of spoilage or a defect in the product. It's simply a characteristic of the mushroom itself, like the bitter compounds in grapefruit or pure cocoa.

What does reishi's bitterness say about a product's quality?

Bitterness is an indication that a reishi product contains triterpenes, but it is not proof of their levels or the product's purity. Clearly bitter reishi almost certainly contains triterpenes. Reishi with no bitterness at all may be a water extract or a mycelium-based product.

You can really be sure only with a certificate of analysis (CoA) showing measured levels. A test of 11 randomly purchased reishi products in Hong Kong showed just how large the differences can be. Triterpene levels ranged from undetectable to 7.8%, and polysaccharide levels from 1.1 to 5.8% (Wachtel-Galor et al., 2011).

Taste remains a rough indicator. In our article how to read a CoA, you can see which values are listed on that kind of certificate.

Why is a water extract of reishi less bitter than an extract made with alcohol?

A water extract of reishi is usually less bitter because triterpenes dissolve poorly in water. According to Wachtel-Galor and colleagues, polysaccharides are generally extracted with hot water, while triterpenes are usually extracted with solvents such as ethanol. As a result, an extract made with water alone contains mainly polysaccharides and relatively few of the bitter compounds.

Polysaccharides are long chains of sugar molecules, and beta-glucans are a specific group of polysaccharides found in the cell walls of mushrooms. In a dual extraction, the material is extracted with both water and ethanol, so both groups end up in the finished product. Learn more about these compounds in our article on beta-glucans in mushrooms.

Is reishi mycelium grown on grain less bitter than reishi fruiting body?

Reishi mycelium grown on grain often tastes milder than the fruiting body because part of the product consists of the grain on which the fungus was grown. The fruiting body is the mushroom you can see; mycelium is the underground fungal network. What’s more, reishi mycelium is an unauthorized novel food in the EU, so it shouldn’t be used in supplements.

You can read more about the difference in our article on fruiting body or mycelium. When it comes to taste, a mild reishi isn’t necessarily better. It may actually indicate a different starting material.

How can I make reishi taste better without completely masking the bitterness?

Reishi tastes better when you pair its bitterness with complementary flavors: cacao, cinnamon, ginger, creamy plant-based milk or a little sweetness. These mask the bitterness without changing the product itself. If you don’t want to taste it at all, I’d simply go for capsules, which you swallow.

1. Pair it with cacao: unsweetened cacao is slightly bitter itself and complements the taste of reishi well.
2. Add cinnamon or ginger to reishi tea or a warm milk drink.
3. Use oat milk or another creamy milk.
4. A little honey or date syrup softens the taste.
5. Choose capsules if you want to avoid the taste completely.

Hot cocoa with reishi is a well-known combination. Chaga has a similar earthy taste. Read how to stir chaga powder into hot water in chaga tea made with chaga powder.

How do you brew reishi tea that isn’t too bitter?

Reishi tea is less bitter when you steep the powder or slices for less time, then add cinnamon, ginger, or a little honey to taste. Steeping for longer draws out more bitter compounds from the mushroom. Always follow the daily serving size on the packaging.

So start with a short steep, strain the tea, and give it a taste. Too bitter? Dilute it with hot water or milk.

Which GOYU reishi can you taste, and which can’t you?

You’ll notice the bitterness most in our organic reishi powder: ground fruiting body of Ganoderma lucidum, 60 g per bag. The packaging says “2-3 scoops per day (about 2-3 g),” preferably during or right after a meal. At 2 to 3 g per day, one bag will last 20 to 30 days.

If you’d rather skip the taste, try the organic reishi capsules (60 capsules of 500 mg, 2-3 per day) or the reishi extract capsules. The extract is 20:1, made with water and ethanol, and contains 400 mg of extract per capsule, of which 30% is beta-glucans and 40% is polysaccharides. It isn’t certified organic. We have a CoA for every batch, which you can request by emailing support@getgoyu.com.

In reviews, customers describe the powder as earthy and say they mostly mix it into coffee, shakes, or oatmeal, while they find the capsules more convenient and odorless (Judge.me, October 2026: Reishi Powder, 10 reviews, average 4.7. Reishi Capsules, 15 reviews, average 4.6). So the powder isn’t tasteless, and honestly, you wouldn’t expect it to be when it’s made from the fruiting body.

What are the drawbacks and limitations?

The biggest drawback of reishi is its bitter taste. You can mask it with powder, but you can’t make it disappear completely. Reishi also isn’t suitable for everyone. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist first if you take blood thinners or other medication, have surgery planned, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.

The link between taste and composition also has its limits. No research links a specific degree of bitterness to a fixed triterpene content, so tasting it is no substitute for laboratory analysis.

Summary in 3 points

• Reishi tastes bitter because of triterpenes such as ganoderic acids, and more than 100 have been described in Ganoderma lucidum.
• Bitterness indicates the presence of triterpenes, but only a CoA shows the actual content. In a test of 11 products, triterpene content ranged from undetectable to 7.8%.
• Cocoa, cinnamon, ginger and creamy milk mask the taste, and with capsules you won't taste anything.

Frequently asked questions

Is bitter reishi better?

Bitterness indicates the presence of triterpenes, but says nothing about the total content or purity. A CoA with measured values tells you more.

Why isn't my reishi bitter?

It may be a water extract or a product low in triterpenes, for example one made from mycelium. Check the label to see which part was used and how it was extracted.

Can I add reishi to coffee?

Yes, the bitterness is less noticeable in coffee, especially with a little milk or cocoa.

Do reishi capsules also taste bitter when they dissolve?

No, you swallow the capsule without tasting its contents.

What are lucidene acids?

Lucidene acids are a second group of triterpenes in reishi, alongside ganoderic acids. They also contribute to its bitter taste.

Learn more about its origins and compounds in our reishi guide.

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. Judge.me customer reviews for Reishi Powder and Reishi Capsules, October 2026.
3. GOYU, packaging text for Reishi Powder, Reishi Capsules and Reishi Extract Capsules (directions for use and ingredients), accessed October 15, 2026.

You can find all forms of our reishi on the buy reishi 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, during pregnancy or when taking medication, consult your doctor or pharmacist.