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Table of Contents
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Table of Contents
Contents
By
Ru Chen
Key Takeaways
World War II caused a global shortage of coffee, leading to many countries using alternative ingredients. Chaga mushroom coffee was chosen by Finland as a healthy substitute. Since then, mushroom coffee has skyrocket into mainstream stores thanks to TikTok trends and wellness influencers. Adaptogenic mushrooms have proven useful for reducing stress and mindfulness rituals.
Let’s go over how mushrooms went from playing key roles in ancient remedies to our coffee mugs, changing how we caffeinate and care for ourselves.
Adaptogens are mushrooms, herbs, and roots that can help the body manage stress and attain balance. Popular adaptogenic plants include:
Historically, adaptogenic mushrooms have been used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. Since the 20th century, scientists have researched adaptogenic mushrooms for its potential health benefits.
Mushroom coffee is made by blending functional mushrooms with coffee. You can get mushroom coffee blends or mushroom-only powders.
Here are popular mushrooms used in coffee and their health benefits.
Lion’s Mane is the most popular mushroom choice for coffee. It has a tasty but mild mushroom flavor that blends well with coffee. It has been shown to improve focus and cognition. A study praised it for its positive impact on brain cell growth.
Lion’s Mane mushroom coffee is generally the best choice if you want the health benefits of mushroom coffee while avoiding a shroomier taste.
Chaga mushrooms are rich in antioxidants and are frequently used for immunity boosts. Many people don’t consume enough antioxidants due to their diet, so Chaga mushroom coffee can provide a helpful boost.
In the body, a good balance of antioxidants and free radicals is crucial since it is necessary for good overall health. Free radicals that overwhelm antioxidants can cause oxidative stress and cell damage. Antioxidant-rich foods like mushrooms do a great job neutralizing the harmful effects of free radicals.
Cordyceps are mushrooms famous for their energy- and stamina-boosting properties. Their health benefits have made them an adaptogenic, medicinal choice for thousands of years.
The Cordyceps mushroom does have potential health issues if consumed too often. If you have stomach discomfort, you might want to avoid raw Cordyceps.
Reishi mushrooms offer stress relief and relaxation potential. Reishi tea is very popular among tea enjoyers, especially in the East. Reishi promotes a better immune system and is even being studied for potential anti-cancer properties.
Still, it is not recommended to consume Reishi mushrooms every day since overconsumption can cause negative GI effects. Instead, they’re a good once-in-a-while coffee choice, which can contribute to a monthly self-care ritual instead of a daily one.
Self-care can be surprisingly difficult in today’s day and age. Two in three people in America report that they don’t practice self-care. Taking a moment for yourself to meditate and relax can go a long way, especially when stressed.
Intentional living and mindfulness are crucial parts of the self-care movement. Mindfulness meditation is research-proven to be beneficial for both mental and physical health. It can reduce chronic pain.
Mental health is also becoming more of a talking point. In 2024, 43% of adults report feeling more stressed than they did last year. Stress can exacerbate illnesses and make day-to-day life feel much harder.
Intentional living refers to the philosophy of making meaningful choices every day. Instead of auto-piloting through your daily routines, intentionality nudges you to actually experience them. You can choose whether to mediate, eat healthy, or sleep early. You can choose whether to doomscroll the whole day or minimize your news consumption. You can choose the green or white shirt.
For those not used to intentionality, it is often much easier to dissociate and be apathetic about daily choices, both small and big. We live in an era where so many people benefit from some sort of escapism from life, like books or Netflix or video games. Intentional living doesn’t mean removing these hobbies from your life – it means reflecting upon your choices and making them, with feeling.
Morning routines are a helpful way to improve your self-care and mindful habits. The nature of a routine helps you lull yourself out of a hazy sleep and ease into the day. Morning routines may include:
Drinking coffee itself is already a natural and important ritual for many. In many communities around the world, coffee is a way to bond with others. Mushroom coffee can be more natural, grounding, and holistic.
Drinking a cup of mushroom coffee, especially while you’re doing a relaxing activity, can do wonders for your daily routine. Mushroom coffee and listening to lofi music is a favorite of ours, since it boosts productivity without piling on a feeling of stress.
Due to wartime scarcity, mushroom coffee was once a niche option in countries like Finland. After World War II, European countries experienced a coffee shortage, and mushroom was an accessible replacement.
Mushroom coffee only entered the mainstream consciousness in the 2010s when Four Sigmatic mushroom coffee entered the coffee and wellness markets. Four Sigmatic and other pioneering brands slowly expanded their product lines and online presence, which would eventually lead to significant market growth.
Influencers always chase and create trends. Between 2021 and 2025, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok influencers drove mushroom coffee into the mainstream. Mushroom coffee quickly became the beverage for many during this trend.
Popular influencers who have enjoyed Ryze mushroom coffee and others include @NikkiSerenityST and @ASSEENBYSB.
Due to the mushroom coffee’s popularity in mainstream grocery stores like Whole Foods and cafes across the world, mushroom coffee is likely here to stay. The market is valued at USD 2.7 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to USD 4.3 billion by 2032.
The hustle bustle and stressors of modern life have made morning rituals an excellent way to maintain routine and stability. Many people enjoy journaling, meditating, and drinking mushroom coffee in the mornings.
Mushroom coffee offers a smoother energy boost than traditional coffee. This is because it usually only contains half of the caffeine found in traditional coffee. Mushroom coffee can be a great cup of joe for those who want to feel more alert in the afternoons.
Drinking coffee is generally not advised for those who have insomnia or sleep concerns. Consuming caffeine can make it hard to fall asleep in the next six hours. However, mushroom coffee is more like tea in that the caffeine content is significantly reduced.
If you’re used to sipping some tea or coffee before bed, you can try adding mushroom coffee to your nighttime ritual. Drinking mushroom coffee routinely in the evenings can help you wind down and get more restful sleep.
Mushroom coffees can be enjoyed in latte, smoothie, cold brew, and many other forms. Instant mushroom coffee is a quick and easy way to enjoy it, which is why most mushroom coffee fans do prefer instant powders.
Most people do drink mushroom coffee for its health benefits as opposed to its taste. The earthy taste can require some time to get used to, so we recommend using creamers or sweeteners to balance out the taste.
The milk you choose can also affect the mushroom coffee. Oat milk is a popular lactose-free milk alternative. Avoid coconut milk since it doesn’t blend well with most mushroom coffee blends.
Check out our favorite mushroom coffee recipes to see how to brew the creamiest, smoothest mushroom coffee.
Dr. Brian Yeung, ND, is a YouTuber who reviewed Ryze Mushroom Coffee. The video does a great job diving into the facts and fiction about the hyped up caffeinated beverage. Ultimately, mushroom coffee seems to genuinely help a lot of people.
The hype around mushroom coffee has made it be seen as a fad in the eyes of skeptics, as well as reasonable people who want to see the science before investing in potentially pricy coffee. Truth is, more research is being done to discern just how effective mushroom coffee really can be for health. Until then, we have tons of anecdotal evidence of people loving the smooth energy boosts of mushroom coffee. The reduced coffee jitters, the easier digestion, the unique taste.
Let’s go over the question of is mushroom coffee just a trend.
Marketing claims are all well and good, but speculative claims often clash with the science or overestimate the efficacy of a product. Let’s take a look at what the science says about mushroom coffee and adaptogens.
Adaptogens are genuinely good for health. They have antifatigue, neuroprotective, and antidepressant properties. They are also nootropic, which means that they can improve cognition and memory.
Lion’s Mane, Reishi, and Chaga mushrooms are adaptogens that have been proven to support various areas of health. Lion’s Mane may support cognition and mood. Reishi can help modulate immune responses. Chaga has immense potential in treating diseases and health conditions.
While mushrooms can’t cure cancer, some mushrooms (e.g Turkey Tail) are actually being studied to see how they can fight cancer cells and improve physical health. We’re constantly learning about the potential benefits of mushrooms, so keep an eye on Favy’s blog space for exciting new updates.
However, these studies have all been done into adaptogenic mushrooms, not mushroom coffee. More studies are necessary before we can claim that mushroom coffee is just as effective and helpful as regular mushrooms. The dosage and form of an ingredient can alter its efficacy and effects when consumed, so mushroom coffee shouldn’t be used as a medicine replacement.
Plus, as with other caffeinated beverages, moderation is important. The dosage of mushroom coffee shouldn’t exceed the safely recommended amount.
Is mushroom coffee right for you? That depends on what you’re looking for in your coffee and your lifestyle. Here are people who might benefit from mushroom coffee:
If you’re pregnant or have any pre-existing health conditions, it is a good idea to consult a physician before drinking mushroom coffee every day.How to incorporate mushroom coffee into your self-care routine
Since most of us are probably coffee drinkers already, it’s easy to slip mushroom coffee into our routines. Simply opt for mushroom coffee instead of traditional coffee when making your morning, afternoon, or evening brew. You can start slow, and replace only one cup every few days, until you get used to the taste and effects of mushroom coffee.
You can even designate a special mug for mushroom coffee. Having a favorite mug for coffee can add a sense of routine and stability to any self-care routine.
Quality is important. In recent years, many companies have joined the mushroom coffee bandwagon without committing to producing high quality blends. Coffee and wellness enthusiasts will need to sift through the poor quality ones before finding the best mushroom coffee.
You can also check out our best mushroom coffee ranked to see the pros and cons of each mushroom coffee blend. Mushroom coffee subscription boxes like Atlas+ and Four Sigmatic are excellent for those who want to add a splash of fun and health benefits to their self-care routines.
We recommend slowly incorporating mushroom coffee into your self-care ritual. It doesn’t need to replace your comforting cup of coffee, but it can offer valuable health benefits and stress relief. Try a cup of instant mushroom coffee in the morning or afternoon while playing your favorite beats.
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.
