Lion's mane powder vs lion's mane extract: a guide for bulk buyers
Share
Short answer: lion's mane powder is the dried and ground fruiting body of the mushroom Hericium erinaceus, with nothing taken out. Lion's mane extract is a concentrate: the fruiting body is extracted and the extract is dried into a powder. A ratio such as 10:1 on the specification means that about 10 kg of dried mushroom went into 1 kg of extract. Choose powder for food, drinks and simple capsule filling, and extract when your formula is built on a specified extract ratio. In the EU Novel Food Catalogue, the fruiting body and its aqueous extract powder are listed as not novel, while dehydrated mycelium powder is a novel food.
Lion's mane powder and lion's mane extract compared
The table shows the lion's mane products we supply in bulk. The data come from our product specifications. Details marked "on request" are in the specification we send with a quote.
| Product | What it is | Source | Order quantities | HS code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lion's mane mushroom powder | Dried and ground fruiting body, fine powder | Hericium erinaceus, fruiting body; origin China | 10, 50 or 100 kg | 071239 |
| Lion's mane extract powder | Extract in powder form; extract ratio in the specification | Hericium erinaceus, fruiting body | 10, 50 or 100 kg | On request |
| Lion's mane extract capsules | Extract in capsules; ratio, capsule material and fill in the specification | Hericium erinaceus | 20,000, 50,000 or 100,000 capsules | 210690 |
| Lion's mane capsules | Ready-filled vegetarian HPMC capsules; content per capsule in the specification | Hericium erinaceus | 20,000, 50,000 or 100,000 capsules | 210690 |
| Lion's mane extract tincture | Liquid extract in 60 ml bottles; composition on request | Hericium erinaceus; origin China | 100, 250 or 500 bottles | On request |
What is lion's mane powder?
Lion's mane powder is made from the fruiting body of Hericium erinaceus, a white mushroom with long, hanging spines. The fruiting body is dried and ground into a fine powder. Nothing is extracted or removed, so the powder is the whole mushroom in dry form. Our lion's mane mushroom powder is specified as fruiting body, the country of origin is China, and it is vegan with no fillers and no additives.
Because the powder is a single ingredient, it is easy to dose by weight in your own production. Typical business uses are:
- coffee and drink brands that blend it into mushroom coffee and drink mixes;
- supplement brands that fill their own capsules;
- food producers and webshops that repack it in retail sizes under their own label.
What is lion's mane extract?
An extract is made by extracting the dried fruiting body with a solvent and drying the result into a powder or keeping it as a liquid. The two lion's mane extract powders that were assessed in the EU novel food consultation process give an idea of the methods in use: one was made with hot-water extraction combined with ultrasonic-assisted extraction, the other with water extraction, membrane filtration and freeze-drying.
The key figure on an extract specification is the extract ratio. A dry extract with a ratio of 10:1 needs about 10 kg of dried starting material for 1 kg of native extract, not counting any carrier. Some specifications also state a content of polysaccharides or beta-glucans and the method used to measure it. Ask for the ratio, the solvent and any marker content on the specification, and check that the certificate of analysis (CoA) of each batch reports the same parameters.
We supply lion's mane extract in three forms: as extract powder in 10, 50 or 100 kg, as extract capsules in 20,000, 50,000 or 100,000 capsules, and as a 60 ml tincture in 100, 250 or 500 bottles. The extract ratio of each product is stated in its specification, which we send on request.
Fruiting body or mycelium: the EU novel food question
Under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283, a food that was not used for human consumption to a significant degree in the EU before 15 May 1997 is a novel food and needs an EU authorisation before it can be sold. For lion's mane, the plant part makes the difference:
- Fruiting body and aqueous extract powder: listed as not novel in the EU Novel Food Catalogue.
- Dehydrated mycelium powder: after a request to the Spanish authority, the history of consumption in the EU was found not to be established. It is listed as a novel food that is not yet authorised.
In practice, check two lines on every lion's mane specification: the part used (fruiting body or mycelium) and, for extracts, the extraction solvent. Our lion's mane mushroom powder and lion's mane extract powder are specified as fruiting body. For the tincture, the raw material is stated on request.
Powder or extract: which one fits your product?
- Mushroom coffee, drink mixes and food products: powder is the usual choice. It is dosed by weight and your ingredient list stays simple.
- Capsules you fill yourself: use powder if your formula is based on whole mushroom, or extract powder if it is based on an extract ratio.
- Ready-filled capsules: our lion's mane capsules and lion's mane extract capsules are supplied in bulk, filled by a contract manufacturer in the Netherlands, for brands that only pack and label.
- Liquid products: the tincture comes in 60 ml bottles for brands that sell drops under their own label.
Whatever you choose, make sure your label, your specification and the CoA describe the same ingredient. "Lion's mane powder" and "lion's mane extract 10:1" are different ingredients, and buyers, retailers and inspectors will compare them.
Ordering lion's mane in bulk or as private label
- Powders (mushroom powder and extract powder): 10, 50 or 100 kg.
- Capsules: 20,000, 50,000 or 100,000 capsules, filled by a contract manufacturer in the Netherlands.
- Tincture: 100, 250 or 500 bottles of 60 ml.
- Smaller quantities are possible on request.
- Prices exclude shipping, and we can arrange transport.
- Orders are usually shipped within 1 to 2 weeks.
- Specification and CoA are available on request.
- For private label we supply the product in bulk for your own packaging and labelling. As the brand owner you are responsible for your label and any claims on it, in line with Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.
See all mushroom powders, extracts, capsules and tinctures in our mushroom collection, read how ordering works on our wholesale page, or request a quote for your own brand via our private label page.
FAQ
Is lion's mane powder the same as lion's mane extract?
No. Powder is the dried and ground fruiting body. Extract is a concentrate made by extracting the fruiting body and drying the extract, and its strength is stated as an extract ratio.
Is lion's mane a novel food in the EU?
The fruiting body and its aqueous extract powder are listed as not novel in the EU Novel Food Catalogue. Dehydrated mycelium powder is listed as a novel food that is not yet authorised.
What does 10:1 mean on a lion's mane extract?
About 10 kg of dried mushroom was used to make 1 kg of native extract, not counting any carrier.
What is the minimum order for lion's mane?
10 kg for powder and extract powder, 20,000 capsules for capsules and 100 bottles for the tincture. Smaller quantities are possible on request.
Do you supply a certificate of analysis?
Yes. The specification and the CoA are available on request.
Can I sell lion's mane under my own brand?
Yes. All our lion's mane products are available as private label, supplied in bulk for your own packaging and labelling.
Sources
- EU Novel Food Catalogue, entry Hericium erinaceus (European Commission)
- Consultation process on novel food status, conclusions on Hericium erinaceus (European Commission)
- Monagas et al. (2022), Understanding plant to extract ratios in botanical extracts, Frontiers in Pharmacology
Written by Florian Fermin, co-owner of GOA Supply.