The following is a slow exploration and loving praise of one of my most used and most beloved allies of the plant and mushroom kingdom; a little something to put in your pot and simmer on…

But before I get ahead of myself, lets start with basic introductions. The Japanese name of Reishi is the common name used to refer to a whole constellation of conks which are called Ganodermas. The Japanese Reishi, whose latin name is Ganoderma Lucidum, is the most sought after and revered of this constellation; however the North American varieties of Ganoderma Applanatum (often known as Artist’s Conk) and Ganoderma Tsugae share most of the same uses...