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Table of Contents
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Table of Contents
Contents
By
Ru Chen
Key Takeaways
Mushroom coffee offers a shroomy, smooth energy boost. But the mushrooms couldn’t possibly be delivered by a crane, so how exactly are mushrooms harvested for coffee?
Mushroom coffee has surged in popularity in the wellness and functional beverage space. Today, we’re peeking behind the curtain to see what really goes into making mushroom coffee.
A functional mushroom can help improve the body’s ability to improve health outside of nutritional benefits. Some functional mushrooms are adaptogenic, containing adaptogens that enhance stress resistance. The term was coined by toxicologist Nikolai Lazarev in 1947, but people have been happily consuming adaptogenic mushrooms for thousands of years.
Here are the top functional mushrooms used in mushroom coffee.
The most popular mushroom used in coffee is the Lion’s Mane. It’s a fluffy white shroom that offers cognitive and energy-boosting benefits. Researchers have even shown that Lion’s Mane can mitigate depression and anxiety symptoms.
Lion’s Mane flavor profile: Lion’s Mane mushroom coffee usually tastes the most similar to traditional coffee. The earthy taste is neutral and mild.
Best for: Lion’s Mane mushroom coffee is best for a smooth boost of energy in the mornings. It’s a great cup to enjoy before a study or work session.
Cordyceps mushrooms are known for their potential to improve heart health and energy. They may also help the body fight off inflammation and diabetes.
More clinical trials of cordyceps are underway so we can learn about any possible long-term effects of Cordyceps on humans.
Cordyceps flavor profile: Sweet and nutty. Great for adding complexity to lighter roasts.
Best for: Pre-workouts. Cordyceps mushroom coffee can help give you an energy boost when you’re feeling tired in the mornings or afternoons.
The Reishi mushroom is popularly consumed for its stress reduction and immune support. Many Reishi mushroom coffee blends also come with additional adaptogens and extracts to further improve health.
Reishi flavor profile: The Reishi has a slightly bitter and woody taste. Reishi mushroom coffee is recommended with a sweetener to make it taste smoother.
Best for: The occasional stress reliever. A cup of Reishi after a stressful week at work can be helpful for overall stress management.
The Chaga mushroom is rich in antioxidants. This makes it a great mushroom for reducing inflammation and supporting immune function.
Chaga flavor profile: A strong earthy taste. Better with rich, dark roasts.
Best for: Chaga mushroom coffee is a great source of immune-boosting antioxidants.
The Turkey Tail has a distinctly Thanksgiving appearance, but it’s actually used in traditional Chinese medicine for organ support and vitality boosts.
The Turkey Tail has also been used in anti-cancer research due to its potential for reducing chronic inflammation and improving overall health.
Turkey Tail flavor profile: Earthy with a faint smoky and bitter aftertaste.
Best for: Gut health and immune support.
Mushrooms need to be harvested and dried before converted to coffee. They are a lot harder to harvest than you might expect since the mushroom needs to be properly and sustainably grown. Debris, dirt, and contaminants need to be removed for safety.
Both commercial mushroom harvesting has been criticized for being unsustainable. Overpicking or improper picking techniques can lead to diminished mushroom populations. It’s important to see how mushroom coffee brands source mushrooms.
The pull and twist method is commonly used to harvest most mushrooms. Note that twisting wrong can damage the rest of the mushrooms, so many harvesters prefer curved scissors. Scalpels may be used to harvest particularly stubborn mushrooms.
Many species of mushrooms are grown on hardwood logs (AKA log cultivation).
Wild harvesting requires responsible foraging since foragers have been criticized for trespassing and unsustainable practices.
Indoor farms closely regulate temperature, humidity, light, and other factors to create a mushroom growing environment. Mushrooms need high humidity and fresh air, which can be difficult to achieve indoors.
Underground mushroom farms are unfortunately much slower to grow. However, the mushrooms grown in underground farms typically have richer flavors and less water loss when cooked.
A Belgian company has even been using coffee grounds to grow mushrooms in underground farms.
The mushrooms need to be harvested and dehydrated at low temperatures so that they can be stored for coffee use later. Going over 125 degrees can be detrimental for the mushrooms.
It usually takes between 12 to 24 hours to dry mushrooms so that they become crispy. When they can snap cleanly like chips, this can be considered a successful drying.
Mushrooms have thick cell walls made of chitin, which encloses active compounds that can be beneficial for us to consume. The mushroom extraction process is meant to draw the useful compounds out of the mushrooms so that the extract isn’t just a soft mushroom powder.
Here’s how mushrooms are prepped and extracted.
The hot water method is widely used and very effective. It’s similar to the pour over method for coffee, where hot water is poured over coffee grounds to extract the coffee. The solvent (hot water) extracts beneficial compounds from the raw material. The remaining solids may then be thrown away.
Turkey Tail, Lion’s Mane, and other shrooms contain beta glucans (B-glucans) that are water soluble. To access these beneficial compounds, they will need to be extracted.
Mushrooms like Chaga and Reishi contain triterpenes and other alcohol soluble compounds. Mushrooms are first tried at low temperatures and ground into powder. This powder gets soaked into high proof alcohol (40 to 70%). This process could take days to weeks.
Dual extraction is used for mushrooms that can be effectively extracted with both hot water and alcohol. First, hot water is used to extract the water soluble beta glucans. Then, alcohol is used to extract the alcohol soluble triterpenes.
These mushrooms contain both alcohol and water soluble compounds, so dual extraction is typically used for them. They are also great in mushroom coffees.
Bioavailability of mushrooms is essentially how much of the beneficial compounds can enter your system when you consume the mushroom. The hard chitin of the cell walls drastically lowers the bioavailability of eating mushrooms, so extraction is required to “unleash” the compounds.
Mushroom extractors who want to maximize the potency of the mushroom extract may use extra extraction and concentration techniques. A ratio of 10:1 means 10 grams of mushrooms produces 1 gram of extract.
The type of coffee bean you use can affect the taste and quality of the mushroom coffee.
Arabica coffee beans are generally preferred for mushroom coffee brands since they have a gentler taste that doesn’t clash as much with the mushrooms.
Robusta beans are more bitter, an intensity that can be exacerbated by the mushrooms.
The roast level can also impact the mushroom coffee acidity and taste. Dark roasts are recommended for strong mushrooms like the Chaga. Lighter roasts are better for Lion’s Mane and milder mushrooms.
A 1:1 blend ratio (AKA 50:50 blend) will balance the coffee and mushroom. For every cup of ground coffee, 1 cup of mushroom powder is added. Meanwhile, a light infusion minimizes the mushroom taste and effects.
It’s best to start gradually with a little bit of mushroom powder only and work your way up. That way you can make adjustments as needed.
Instant coffee is convenient and fast, but it will be less rich and aromatic than whole bean blends. If you just want to drink a quick morning brew, instant mushroom coffee is the way to go. The quality might be of lower quality since it’s harder to maintain depth of flavor in instant coffee.
A whole bean blend means you get to grind your own beans and control the brew better. The brewing process preserves more of the coffee’s natural oils and aroma. Another advantage to a whole bean mushroom coffee blend is that these options generally have better quality control and transparency, using sustainable mushroom harvesters. However, whole bean blends generally cost more.
The goal is to balance energy boosts with adaptogenic support. Coffee and mushrooms can both be beneficial when consumed in moderation. Here are the main benefits of each:
Adaptogenic mushrooms, depending on the type, can:
Mushroom coffee naturally has an earthy taste. Some mushroom blends will taste more bitter than others.
Adding sweeteners and flavor enhancers is a great way to alter the mushroom coffee taste to your liking. Here are some popular additions to mushroom coffee:
Mushroom coffee labs will test the potency and purity of the blends. They need to ensure that the coffee is free from heavy metals, molds, pesticides, toxins (aflatoxins, etc.) and other contaminants.
Mushroom coffee packages are typically packaged tightly so that they don’t lose their freshness and flavor. Common options include:
Organic: Organic coffee (including organic mushroom coffee) is grown without the use of artificial chemicals, such as synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or GMOs.
Fair trade: You can see if a mushroom coffee brand is fair trade by watching out for the Fair Trade Certified mark.
Mycotoxin-tested: Some mushroom coffees are tested for toxins. This is because mycotoxins can grow on green coffee beans if they have been improperly stored or processed.
Top mushroom coffee brands like Four Sigmatic are transparent about their lab testing and product quality standards. For example, Four Sigmatic tests thoroughly and never irradiates their products.
It’s important to find a mushroom coffee company that is high quality and transparent about their practices. A lot of merchants are jumping on the mushroom coffee hype train without actually putting effort into providing good quality mushroom coffee. Reading the labels and online reviews before purchase is essential.
With most mushroom coffee, you will only need to mix the serving with warm water. Froth or stir it. Then, add any sweeteners, ice, and milk/milk alternatives that you want.
To learn more about brewing mushroom coffee, check out our mushroom coffee recipes.
Mushroom coffee generally tastes like regular instant coffee with a hint of earthiness. The texture should be fairly smooth, though some people may notice a grainy or powdery sensation. Some consumers prefer the natural feeling that comes with the graininess, others might find it unappealing. It’s all down to what you enjoy.
Mushroom coffee is great for biohackers and wellness seekers. Health-conscious consumers can choose mushroom coffee for a decreased caffeine intake and smoother digestive experience. Mushroom coffee also offers potential benefits such as stress reduction, making it useful for busy professionals.
Mushroom coffee is also perfect for adventurous coffee drinkers. It’s a cool new type of coffee that you can experiment with.
With more benefits and fun new flavors we’re still discovering, mushroom coffee looks like it’s here to stay as more than just a trend. A cup of mushroom coffee can provide a smooth energy boost and is perfect for a morning or workout ritual.
If you’re interested in mushroom coffee, try a mushroom coffee subscription today! You can access delicious blends and exclusive flavors from around the world.
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.
