DIRTEA Turns 4: A Mushroom-Fuelled Journey to Better Health and Daily Rituals
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Can you believe it? DIRTEA is officially four years old—what a wild, wonderful, mushroom-powered ride it’s been! Four years since two brothers turned a personal health transformation into a global wellness movement rooted in nature, backed by science, and steeped in centuries of tradition.
Today, DIRTEA is a trusted name in functional mushrooms, known for its purest, most potent functional mushroom powders and super blends. But how did it all start? Let’s take you back to where the story began.
The Beginning: Burned Out and Seeking Balance
In 2016, brothers Simon and Andrew Salter were thriving professionally, running successful businesses and living what many might call dream lives. But beneath the surface, something essential was missing: true well-being. The relentless pace, long hours, lack of sleep and mounting stress began to wear them down. They faced daily energy crashes, restless nights, and a creeping sense of burnout. The usual go-to remedies—coffee, supplements, productivity hacks—only offered fleeting relief.
As they looked around, they noticed the same struggles mirrored in others: brain fog, anxiety, and the heavy toll of modern living. Determined to find a better way, the brothers embarked on a wellness journey, exploring everything from yoga and meditation to cold water therapy. Yet nothing provided the long-term transformation they were searching for.
The Discovery: Functional Mushrooms and Ancient Wisdom
Their turning point arrived when they were introduced to functional mushrooms. Rooted in centuries-old practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), these weren’t your typical wellness fads. These were time-honoured adaptogens known for supporting the body’s ability to adapt to stress, improve clarity, and restore balance.
Ancient Mushrooms. Real Results.
Simon and Andrew began exploring each functional mushroom individually, sitting with mycologists to understand the biology of these mushrooms beyond their nutritional value and understand their incredibly rich history. Learning how they were used by our ancestors, they adopted the same principles, integrating them into their daily routine. After just a few weeks of completing these rituals, along with their newly adopted passion for ancestral approaches to life—such as deliberate heat and cold therapy, grounding, journalling, and following the sun—they noticed real changes: more consistent energy, deeper sleep, improved focus, and the ability to work smarter without sacrificing sleep. They began to develop and cultivate resilience. What started as a curiosity quickly turned into a deep dive into the world of functional mushrooms. They started inviting friends and family over for weekends and early morning Mushroom Tea Ceremonies in the parks to experience the feeling, taste, and importantly, the community spirit—and what they all found was astonishing:
Lion’s Mane – Known for its cognitive-enhancing properties and its historical use by Tibetan monks, Lion’s Mane lifted the weight off their heads, providing a feeling of clarity.
Reishi – Dubbed the “Mushroom of Immortality,” it gave them all a sense of calm. History shares similarities: in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Reishi was revered by royalty during the Han Dynasty (200 CE), where it was reserved for the emperor and the royal court due to its rarity. Reishi is a powerful adaptogen with over 400 compounds, one of which, Triterpene, induces a feeling of calmness.
Cordyceps – Known for its sustained energy-boosting effects, Cordyceps’ discovery by Tibetan yak herders is a testament to its powers. They noticed that their yaks became energised after grazing on this mushroom in the high altitudes of the Himalayas. Today, Cordyceps is believed to enhance physical performance and reduce tiredness.
Chaga – A rich source of antioxidants, Chaga is revered for its immune-boosting properties and its ability to enhance energy.
Tremella – Known in Chinese herbalism as the “beauty mushroom,” Tremella supports skin hydration and elasticity and is often compared to hyaluronic acid. It can hold up to 500 times its weight in water, making it a powerful natural moisturiser from within.
What was once ancient tradition had become the modern answer the brothers were searching for. And with real change came a deeper purpose.
The results were real—and the mission became clear.
The Birth of DIRTEA: Purity, Potency, Purpose
Simon and Andrew were excited to continue their mushroom rituals. But what they found on the market disappointed them: mushroom products made from mycelium on grain, full of fillers and sweeteners, and low-potency extracts. Many brands weren’t transparent, and others lacked efficacy.
So they made a bold decision: if they couldn’t find it, they’d create it.
In 2021, DIRTEA was born—with a mission to deliver the purest, most effective mushroom extracts on the planet. No shortcuts. No compromises. Just 100% fruiting body, sustainably sourced, dual-extracted, and lab-tested for potency and purity.
DIRTEA isn’t just a supplement—it’s a ritual—a way to reconnect with nature. To upgrade your health. To thrive, not just survive.
What Makes DIRTEA Different?
Many mushroom powders are on the market—but none quite like DIRTEA. Here’s why:
100% Fruiting Body: Many brands use mycelium (the root structure), often grown on grain. DIRTEA only uses the fruiting body, where the active compounds are most concentrated, in their Pure Powders and Super Blends.
Dual-Extraction for Maximum Potency: DIRTEA mushrooms undergo a pure hot water extraction process that unlocks powerful compounds like polysaccharides and beta-glucans, the key to their immune-supporting and wellness-boosting benefits.
Third-Party Lab Tested: Every batch is rigorously tested for heavy metals, pesticides, and potency—so you know exactly what you're getting.
Sustainably Sourced: Mushrooms are sourced from pristine, organic farms using traditional methods that respect the fungi and the planet.
Tasty and Effortless to Enjoy: DIRTEA’s pure mushroom powders mix effortlessly into your daily coffee, tea, smoothie, or simply hot water—transforming any drink into a powerful wellness ritual. The gummies and super blends offer a convenient, delicious way to elevate your routine with ease.
A Journey of Growth: Milestones Worth Celebrating
Four years in, DIRTEA has achieved major milestones:
- Launched Super Blends, combining mushrooms with adaptogens and vitamins.
- Introduced Functional Mushroom Gummies.
- Collaborated with leading wellness experts and practitioners.
- Featured in top health publications and media.
- Built a passionate global community of DIRTEA drinkers.
Building a Wellness Movement
What began as a personal healing story has grown into a global community. From students looking for sharper focus and busy parents managing stress to creatives seeking calm clarity—DIRTEA has become a go-to for people who want to feel better naturally.
Thousands of people now start and end their day with DIRTEA products—and they’re feeling the difference.
Just take a look at the reviews:
“Lion’s Mane has completely changed my ability to focus and stay clear-headed.” – Ji. L
“Reishi hot chocolate is the calm I never knew I needed.” – Arti. D
“Tremella has my skin glowing—it’s become a non-negotiable part of my beauty routine.” – Mimi K.
The Power of Ritual: More Than a Supplement
DIRTEA is about more than mushrooms. It’s about creating space for stillness, clarity, and nourishment. In a world full of stimulation and stress, DIRTEA invites you to slow down—and sip something that supports your brain, body, and being.
Whether it’s your morning Lion’s Mane before work or a nighttime Reishi to wind down, these small daily habits become powerful rituals.
As Traditional Chinese Medicine teaches, true wellness comes from balance—between yin and yang, energy and rest, action and restoration. DIRTEA honours that philosophy in every cup.
Looking Ahead: The Future of DIRTEA
As DIRTEA turns 4, the mission is only growing stronger.
- Next-gen products are developing—combining functional mushrooms with innovative, health-boosting ingredients for unmatched performance.
- Sustainability remains at the heart of everything DIRTEA does—from sourcing to packaging to community education.
- The team continues working with researchers and health professionals to expand the science around mushrooms and share that knowledge with the world.
Join the DIRTEA Revolution
If you’ve been curious about functional mushrooms, there’s never been a better time to start. Whether you’re looking for focus, energy, immune support, or skin glow—DIRTEA has a pure, powerful product to support you.
Here’s to Four Years—and a Future of Feeling Better, Naturally
DIRTEA’s story is still unfolding, but one thing remains the same: the mission is to help people feel their best, using the purest ingredients from the earth.
Four years in—and we’re just getting started.
Join the DIRTEA revolution. Feel the power of nature in every sip.
References
- Li, I. C., & Lee, L. Y. (2018). Neurohealth properties of Hericium erinaceus mycelia enriched with erinacines. Behavioural Neurology, 2018, 5802634. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/5802634
- Qiu, Y., Mao, Z. J., Ruan, Y. P., & Zhang, X. (2021). Exploration of the anti-insomnia mechanism of Ganoderma by central-peripheral multi-level interaction network analysis. BMC Microbiology, 21(1), 296. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-021-02361-5
- Ashraf, S. A., Elkhalifa, A. E. O., Siddiqui, A. J., Patel, M., Awadelkareem, A. M., Snoussi, M., Ashraf, M. S., Adnan, M., & Hadi, S. (2020). Cordycepin for health and wellbeing: A potent bioactive metabolite of an entomopathogenic Cordyceps medicinal fungus and its nutraceutical and therapeutic potential. Molecules, 25(12), 2735. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25122735
- Park, Y. K., Lee, H. B., Jeon, E. J., Jung, H. S., & Kang, M. H. (2004). Chaga mushroom extract inhibits oxidative DNA damage in human lymphocytes as assessed by comet assay. Biofactors, 21(1-4), 109–112. https://doi.org/10.1002/biof.552210120
- Yang, M., Zhang, Z., He, Y., Li, C., Wang, J., & Ma, X. (2021). Study on the structure characterization and moisturizing effect of Tremella polysaccharide fermented from GCMCC5.39. Food Science and Human Wellness, 10(4), 471–479. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fshw.2021.04.009