Dried cordyceps: how to use, cook and store it

In short: Dried cordyceps is used in tea, broth and soups, or ground into powder. Simmer a small handful in water for 15 to 20 minutes for tea, or add it to a broth for the last half hour of cooking. The orange strands you’ll see in shops are Cordyceps militaris (sometimes sold as “cordyceps flower”); whole wild Cordyceps sinensis looks like a dried caterpillar with a thin dark stalk and is far more expensive. Store it airtight, cool and dry.

What dried cordyceps looks like

Dried Cordyceps militaris: thin, bright orange strands, a few centimetres long. It’s the most common dried cordyceps, sold in Asian grocers and online, sometimes labelled “cordyceps flower” or “golden cordyceps”.
Whole wild Cordyceps sinensis: looks like a small dried caterpillar with a dark, thin stalk coming out of its head. It’s rare and sold by the gram at very high prices.
Dried cordyceps powder: ground fruiting body or mycelium; check the label for which.

How to use dried cordyceps

Cordyceps tea

Put a small handful (about 3 to 5 g) of dried strands in a pan with 500 ml of water.
Simmer gently for 15 to 20 minutes.
Strain and drink. The strands can be eaten too: they’re soft and mild after simmering.

It tastes mild and slightly savoury. A slice of ginger, a few goji berries or a little honey go well with it.

In broth and soup

Dried cordyceps is a classic addition to Chinese chicken and pork broths. Add a handful for the last 30 to 45 minutes of simmering. It works just as well in a vegetable broth with ginger, shiitake and spring onion.

Ground into powder

Grind the dried strands in a spice grinder and add a pinch to smoothies, porridge or coffee.

In rice and stir-fries

Soak the strands in warm water for 10 minutes, then add them to fried rice, noodles or a stir-fry near the end of cooking.

How to store dried cordyceps

In an airtight jar or bag, away from light, heat and damp.
It keeps for about a year; after that it’s fine if it’s stayed dry, but it loses colour and flavour.
If it smells musty or shows any mould, throw it out.

Dried cordyceps vs drops vs capsules

	Dried	Drops (tincture)	Capsules
Best for	cooking, tea	a measured daily amount, in a drink or under the tongue	no taste
Measuring	by eye or by weight	by the ml or the dropper	by the capsule
Contains alcohol	no	a little	no

If you want a measured daily amount rather than an ingredient, follow the label on a supplement. Our Cordyceps sinensis drops are 1 to 2 ml a day.

Questions people ask

How much dried cordyceps should I use?

For tea, around 3 to 5 g in 500 ml of water is typical. There’s no official daily amount for dried cordyceps, so if you’re unsure, use less and check with your pharmacist, especially if you take medicine.