Mushroom Extracts
Our fresh mushrooms are packed with umami flavours and have an amazing meaty texture that makes them a delicious culinary feast. But to really access the essence of the goodness of mushrooms, extraction offers a superior and more efficient way to harness the benefits of the bioactive compounds that are so valuable for our wellbeing. Keep reading to understand more about our mushroom extracts, how we make them, and why.
WELLBEING BENEFITS
Why Mushrooms?
Mushrooms, the fruiting body of fungi, are packed full of bioactive compounds like beta-glucans, amino acids, polysaccharides (such as chitin, chitosan, and alpha-glucans), terpenoids, vitamins and minerals. These compounds are essential for the immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties associated with many medicinal mushrooms.
EXTRACTION
How do we produce our mushroom tinctures?
Our mushrooms are dried and ground into a fine powder. The powders are submerged in water and ultrasonic waves are applied to help break the cell walls of the mushrooms and release the bioactive compounds, without damaging them. They are then filtered through a cotton filter, and re-extracted in a distillation process with ethanol, which concentrates the bioactives. The ethanol is then removed and replaced with glycerin, via distillation.
SOURCING
Where Do Our Mushrooms Come From?
Our farm in Abu Dhabi uses materials available in the desert environment to grow mushrooms in the UAE. We follow circular farming practices in a controlled environment setting. We sterilise the substrate using a steam sterilisation process, and therefore use no pesticides or fertiliser to grow the mushrooms.
OUR MISSION
Why Below Farm?
People can lead healthier & happier lives without agriculture & food production systems extracting from the Earth or harming our health. Mushrooms are humanity’s allies. Below Farm uses mushrooms to support human and planetary health: by growing the healthiest, functional mushrooms and creating superior mushroom products that enhance human wellness; and by using circular farming practices and locally available raw materials to grow beautiful fresh mushrooms in the desert.
