Behind The Pour: Learn How RIVR's Mushrooms Go From Forest To Formula
If you read our last supplier spotlight with Perfectly Dosed, you know the magic in every can of RIVR starts with sourcing the absolute finest ingredients on the planet. When you want to work with mushrooms, work with mushroom people. That’s why we partnered with NAMMEX—pioneers in organic mushroom cultivation, extraction, and testing.
In a world where not all mushrooms deliver the real compounds your body needs, NAMMEX stands out by focusing on what actually matters—like beta-glucans, the natural building blocks behind immune strength, resilience, and recovery.
We sat down with Bill Chioffi, Chief Operations Officer, and Tiffany Kawaja, Sales Manager, to talk about the NAMMEX difference, the future of functional mushrooms, and why real sourcing matters more than ever.
From Forest to Formula
RIVR: Let's start at the beginning. How did you each find your way to NAMMEX?
Tiffany: I've been with NAMMEX for seven years now. I live in a tiny town on the Sunshine Coast in Canada, and stumbled onto NAMMEX when I was transitioning between jobs. I had gotten really into foraging wild mushrooms, and then—serendipitously—found a job ad for a mushroom company just two minutes from my house. It felt too good to be true. It's been a wonderful journey ever since.
Bill: I first worked with NAMMEX as a client when I was VP of Global Sourcing and Sustainability at Gaia Herbs. I vetted their materials through our lab and was impressed by the consistency and authenticity—batch after batch, year after year. Eventually, after consulting in the natural products world, I had a conversation with Jeff Chilton [founder of NAMMEX] about coming on board. It felt like the perfect fit.
The Growth of Functional Mushrooms
RIVR: How have you seen the functional mushroom space evolve?
Bill: Ten years ago, it was all about Reishi—maybe Chaga and Cordyceps if you were lucky. If you told Jeff back then that Lion’s mane would become the top-selling functional mushroom, he might not have believed you. That just shows how quickly the market has grown.
With that growth, there was a need to structure the business, build a stronger sales team, and provide more education and resources for brands like RIVR. We’re a B2B company, but because of our experience, we also help guide brands with regulatory compliance, formulation, and product selection—things you won’t get from a typical ingredient supplier.
RIVR: NAMMEX grows all of its mushrooms in China. What’s the reason for this, rather than growing somewhere local to your headquarters?
Bill: History, scale, and expertise. China has been cultivating mushrooms for over 800 years. They produce over 90% of the world's mushrooms and have entire regions dedicated to mushroom farming, backed by government-supported research institutes. Jeff spent years traveling there, meeting farmers and researchers firsthand. If you're buying dried mushrooms anywhere—unless labeled otherwise—they most likely come from China.
RIVR: What makes NAMMEX's growing practices different?
Bill: We grow mushrooms the traditional way—on wood-based substrates, not on grain. Reishi is grown by burying logs in the soil. Lion’s mane, Turkey Tail, and Chaga are cultivated on wood substrates. Only Cordyceps is grown indoors on wheat germ rice substrate because in nature it grows on insects.
Fighting for Transparency
RIVR: There's been a lot of talk about transparency issues in the mushroom supplement space. It seems like people are confused about what a ‘fruiting body’ is and what parts of a mushroom are actually in their supplements and beverages. What's happening?
Bill: Many products labeled 'mushroom supplements' are actually made from mycelium grown on grain, full of starch, not the beneficial compounds people expect. We filed a citizen petition with the FDA, asking for clearer labeling regulations so that consumers know exactly what they’re getting. Right now, supplements require "plant part" labeling—but mushrooms aren’t plants. The industry needs regulations that distinguish between fruiting body—actual mushrooms—and mycelium, which is the root-like structure that grows in grain or liquid.
We also conducted a consumer survey with 10,000 people, and the results confirmed what we already knew: when people buy a "mushroom supplement," they expect real mushrooms—not mycelium on grain.
Tiffany: And what we produce are true mushroom extracts. We use hot water or dual extraction (water and alcohol) methods to make the active compounds bioavailable. You’re not getting mycelium fermented grain—you’re getting the real fruiting body, the way nature intended.
What Dosage Actually Works?
RIVR: I think another one of the common misconceptions is about how much you should take, and when to expect results. What’s a realistic dose for functional mushrooms?
Tiffany: There's no magic number, but a good general guideline is 2 to 5 grams of dried mushrooms per day. What's critical is consistency. Functional mushrooms, like adaptogens, work best over time. They’re not a one-and-done thing—they’re a lifestyle.
Bill: Exactly. Taking Lion’s mane once isn't going to make you a genius overnight. These are daily tools for resilience, recovery, and long-term well-being. The best way to get the benefits from mushrooms is to take them consistently.
Daily Routines & Personal Favorites
RIVR: What's your daily dose of mushrooms and which ones are a part of your everyday routine?
Tiffany: I take 1000mg of Lion's mane in capsule form every morning with my pre+probiotics and try to ensure I do this at least an hour before I have coffee so I give them time to break down in my system. Some mornings coffee MUST come first though! Once it's coffee time, I add 1000mg—approximately 1/2 a teaspoon of Chaga in powder form into my coffee. Chaga has an earthy, slightly sweet, and sometimes woody flavor that pairs well with the bold bitterness of coffee. This earthy flavor can enhance the depth of the coffee, making it taste more robust and complex.
RIVR: What's the primary reason why you consume mushrooms daily? Physical recovery, performance, energy, etc.?
Tiffany: Personally, I have gut health issues from a life-threatening illness I had in 2017, and I'll likely have to deal with these gut issues for the rest of my life. Lion's mane, Chaga, Reishi and so many other mushrooms have shown to promote gut health by encouraging the growth of beneficial bacteria. A healthy gut is closely linked to overall health, including cognitive function.
RIVR: Do you notice tangible results from daily microdosing or sticking with a consistent routine?
Tiffany: I find with consistent consumption of mushroom extracts, I am less susceptible to getting sick than previously as mushrooms have shown to promote a healthy immune system, help boost immune function and fight off infection or inflammation. Also, in conjunction with pre+probiotics, fermented foods and a healthy diet, my gut health-related issues are more manageable.
RIVR: Is there anything else you'd like to share about microdosing effects and benefits?
Tiffany: While the vast benefits of mushrooms are incredible and we are still learning more about them every day, they are not a magic pill—taking Lion's mane once won't help with Cognitive health for example, but maintaining a consistent schedule of consumption is what will eventually, potentially help.
RIVR: If you could only pick one mushroom, what would it be?
Tiffany: If I had to pick one mushroom forever, it'd be Matsutake (Pine Mushroom). I love foraging for them and cooking with them. But from what we sell, I'd say Chaga, because I add it to my coffee every morning. That said, I also love using Cordyceps and Lion's mane in cooking, especially in stews and gravies.
RIVR: How about you, Bill? What’s your favorite functional mushroom?
Bill: Reishi has always been my go-to, it's the foundation. But I also use Cordyceps based on my activity level. I recently started [ice] skating again, and playing some pickup [hockey games] and I’m pretty sore. I started taking higher doses of Cordyceps and Rhodiola and they really help with recovery. I wouldn't say they make me Superman on the ice, but I definitely notice a difference in how quickly I recover.
Why Sourcing Matters
Functional mushrooms have been trusted for centuries to support strength, resilience, and balance. But not every mushroom product today lives up to that tradition.
At RIVR, we care about where things come from. We partnered with NAMMEX because they care just as much about how mushrooms are grown, how they’re extracted, and how they’re tested. They don’t cut corners, and neither do we.
Every sip of RIVR starts with real mushrooms, grown the right way, for real results you can actually feel. It’s about honoring the old ways, using the best of today’s science, and staying true to what nature gave us.