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Table of Contents
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Table of Contents
Contents
By
Ru Chen
Key Takeaways
Mushrooms are appearing in coffee so much that it feels like we’ve landed in Super Mario World. While we’re a huge fan of Lion’s Mane, we know it can be tricky to find out the real tea behind these different mushroom coffees.
Let’s go over how each popular mushroom can affect your coffee in terms of taste, health effects, downsides, caffeine content, and more.
Mushrooms have been used in human medicines and cuisine since ancient times – surprisingly, we’ve only started adding them to coffee recently thanks to Four Sigmatic. Functional mushrooms are those that offer health benefits beyond nutrition, and adaptogenic mushrooms can improve how the body copes with fatigue and stress. Because of their potential benefits, they make for a great addition to your brew.
You might be wondering why mushrooms and coffee are seen together as the hot new trend. Here are the main reasons:
Fewer jitters: A typical cup of coffee has 90 to 110 mg of caffeine. Mushroom coffee has only half of that at around 50 mg, which means fewer caffeine jitters.
Less acid: Mushrooms are alkaline foods, which means that their pH is over 7. Coffee can be quite acidic, which may trigger acid reflux for those with GERD. Mushroom coffee can be a good alternative caffeinated beverage since it is considerably lower in acid, especially if you choose a low-acid mushroom coffee brand like Everyday Dose.
More options: If you’re willing to try mushroom coffee, you get to unlock a whole new world of coffee types. Lion’s Mane, Chaga, Reishi, Turkey Tail… the options are ever evolving.
Health benefits: Mushrooms offer incredible wellness benefits due to their adaptogenic and functional properties. Since they’re rich in antioxidants, they mitigate oxidative stress. A balanced level is linked with lower chances of disease and cancer.
Easier digestion: People who struggle with coffee may find mushroom coffee easier on the gut. However, your mileage may vary. For example, people with kidney disease may not react well to mushroom coffee.
The Lion’s Mane mushroom is named for its fluffy, lion’s mane-esque appearance. Its most notable advantage as the shroom of choice is that it specializes in enhancing focus and cognitive function.
Lion’s Mane also contains powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory potential. Many people drink it as their daily brew.
Primary Benefits: Lion’s Mane can be helpful for cognitive enhancement, focus, and memory support. A study showed that Lion’s Mane can even mitigate the symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Lion’s Mane Flavor Profile: Mild (if slightly earthy). The Lion’s Mane is easiest to blend into coffee, making it an excellent first choice for those who haven’t tried mushroom coffee before.
Best for: Morning productivity. We absolutely adore drinking a cup of Lion’s Mane coffee to spark our creativity for work and study sessions. Play some lo-fi music and we’re good to go for the day.
Chaga mushrooms are an antioxidant powerhouse, making them great if you’re not consuming other antioxidant-rich foods like beans and berries.
Chaga is mainly good for immune support. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can be useful if you experience chronic inflammation.
Primary Benefits: Chaga is a mushroom that promotes better overall health. You can consume it for immune support or for anti-inflammatory purposes. It is also an antioxidant powerhouse, which is important if you don’t get enough antioxidants from your regular diet.
Chaga Flavor Profile: Chaga is a stronger mushroom than Lion’s Mane. It has an earthy, almost woodsy taste, which can complement dark roasts nicely.
Best for: Those who want a daily immune boost or need more antioxidants in their diet.
Reishi mushrooms are used in medicines for their stress reduction and relaxation properties.
Note that Reishi mushrooms are not meant for frequent consumption. If you drink it daily for over a month, you can start feeling unpleasant digestive symptoms. Reishi mushroom coffee is better as an occasional health-beneficial beverage.
Primary Benefits: Reishi can be great for the occasional stress relief and relaxation. It can also provide immune support.
Reishi Flavor Profile: Slightly bitter and woody. Recommended with smooth, sweetened coffee.
Best for: Evening brews and post-work relaxation. The energy boost isn’t ideal for a morning brew, but Reishi mushroom coffee can help with stress management.
The Cordyceps mushroom is a popular mushroom for energy boosts. It’s also been known to help with heart health.
Primary Benefits: Energy boost and improved endurance. Less commonly, Cordyceps is used for respiratory and heart support.
Cordyceps Flavor Profile: Slightly sweet and nutty, the Cordyceps is a pretty mild mushroom. adds complexity to lighter roasts.
Best for: Many people like to drink Cordyceps mushroom coffee as their pre-workout coffee since it can help you get over the hurdle of an afternoon energy slump.
A lesser known medicinal mushroom, Turkey Tail can good for the immune system, as well as gut and liver health. It’s already popular in teas when prepared properly, and now you can get them in coffee form.
Interestingly, the FDA funded Turkey Tail anti-cancer research. While it is not approved as a cancer treatment, it can reduce chronic inflammation and improve overall health due to being rich in antioxidants. Balanced antioxidant levels have been linked with lower risks of disease.
Primary Benefits: The Turkey Tail can be consumed for better gut health and immune support. While it may have potential anti-cancer properties, more research is still needed.
Turkey Tail Flavor Profile: Earthy with a mild smokiness or bitterness. If you cook them, they become savory.
Best for: Wellness enthusiasts who want to support their immune systems and reduce chronic inflammation.
Research shows that Maitake mushrooms have a wide range of potential health benefits. Because of this, many brands have begun to sell Maitake coffee for an immune system boost and metabolic support. Its extract can reduce fat accumulation, but we’re not sure how significant this is in coffee yet.
Maitake may also have an ability to lower blood sugar. This makes it a potentially helpful coffee alternative for diabetics.
Beware: the Maitake mushroom has been known to increase the blood-thinning effects of medications. Be careful if you take any medications or have any underlying health conditions.
Primary Benefits: Maitake may be consumed for metabolic support and enhanced immune systems.
Maitake Flavor Profile: The savory Maitake mushroom works well in rich, dark coffee blends.
Best for: People who seek metabolic support or better health. Some people may have lower blood sugar levels after consuming Maitake. Be careful if this is something that can make you feel sick!
In general, mushrooms give coffee an earthy taste. People who don’t like the taste might find it too woodsy or dirt-like. At the same time, people who acquire that taste love it.
Some mushrooms will taste more bitter or savory than others. Reishi mushroom makes for a standout bitter drink. If you’re worried about strong taste making your coffee taste too shroomy, we recommend Lion’s Mane or Cordyceps for a milder taste.
Adding cinnamon, cacao, or vanilla can be a good way to balance out the flavor of the coffee. Sweet creamer is also a fast way to lighten any mushroom taste.
If you don’t like the relatively coarse consistency of mushroom coffee, you can easily smoothen it out by adding milk. As someone lactose-intolerant, I enjoy adding a splash of soy milk to my mushroom coffee. Mushroom coffee might seem unusual, but it tastes much better than it sounds.
The mushroom coffee industry is rapidly evolving, with new blends entering the shelves all the time. Popular blends include Lion’s Mane and Chaga for focus and immunity. Some people find the beneficial effects of mushrooms amplified by coffee and vice versa.
The coffee world allows for incredible individualization. Feel free to customize your brew based on your wellness goals and taste preferences.
Pre-made mushroom coffee blends are convenient and fast to prepare, perfect for the morning They’re formulated for balanced flavor, effects, and consistency. We recommend one of the best mushroom coffee brands for high-quality, lab-tested, organic mushroom blends.
If you want to craft a DIY mushroom coffee, we advise against picking your own mushrooms. With wild fungi being potentially lethal, it’s much safer to purchase the right shroomy ingredient online or on a shelf. Other than that, you can mix and match different brewing methods to find the best taste and consistency for your mushroom coffee.
In the Morning: For the best energy boost, we recommend Lion’s Mane for productivity. It’s great for starting the day with a burst of energy while being easy on the stomach. If you’re hitting the gym, Cordyceps mushroom coffee can give you a quick pre-workout energy boost.
During the Afternoon: Any of the mushroom coffees can be enjoyed in the afternoon, but if you want a boost without a caffeine crash, the Chaga is usually the best choice.
In the Evening: Mushroom coffee is fairly low in caffeine, comparable to tea. This makes it acceptable for a nice evening brew (though it’s still good to drink at least 6 hours before slumber if you are caffeine sensitive). Of course, check your coffee bag for the caffeine content – some brands may add extra caffeine for a stronger energy increase.
Always start slow if you’re introducing a new ingredient to your diet in case of allergic reactions or sensitivities. Mushroom coffee is meant to provide smoother digestion than regular coffee, but it can still have negative side effects for some people. Add mushroom coffee to your beverage options gradually to see whether you get any side effects.
People with any underlying health conditions should consult their doctor before adding mushroom coffee to their routine. For example, people with lupus or other auto-immune diseases should generally avoid mushrooms since they can activate the immune system and worsen symptoms.
It’s also important to choose mushroom coffee that is high-quality and safe. Mushroom products need to be properly lab tested since many raw mushrooms can range from inedible to extremely poisonous. Generally, this means picking a reputable brand instead of your own wild mushrooms.
Mushrooms can be ethically sourced, but not all brands choose to do so. We’re always delighted when we see a brand has been certified or provides transparent information about how they grow and harvest mushrooms.
Mushroom coffee can be a fantastic coffee alternative, but choosing the right mushroom type is essential. Here are ways the most popular mushrooms can impact your coffee:
Lion’s Mane: Has the most neutral taste. Can boost focus and cognitive function, which makes it great for a pre-work productivity boost.
Chaga: Rich in antioxidants, the earthy Chaga can improve overall wellness.
Reishi: Supports the immune system and reduces stress. Tastes bitter. Not for everyday consumption.
Cordyceps: Slightly nutty and earthy, the Cordyceps can enhance energy and endurance.
Turkey Tail: Savory and earthy. Improves overall health and reduces chronic inflammation. The mushroom has a chewy texture, which can hurt the coffee's consistency.
Maitake: Can support better metabolic and overall health. The Maitake tastes earthy with savory notes.
While mushroom coffee can’t replace a good diet or prescribed medications, it is generally rich in antioxidants and great for energy boosts. It’s fun to check out different mushroom coffees to see which align with your preferences.
Ru Chen
Content Writer
Ru Chen is a content writer with several years of experience in creating engaging and well-researched articles. She mostly writes about coffee, business, digital marketing, and law. In her free time, she can be found watching horror movies and playing board games with her partner in Brooklyn.
Ru Chen is a content writer with several years of experience in creating engaging and well-researched articles. She mostly writes about coffee, business, digital marketing, and law. In her free time, she can be found watching horror movies and playing board games with her partner in Brooklyn.
