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Mushroom coffee is a trend that is quickly growing in popularity and is a good alternative to your regular caffeine-filled morning joe. It contains less caffeine and brings many significant health benefits to the table due to the inclusion of medicinally potent mushrooms.

We rounded up the best mushroom coffee on the market and break down what makes them so beneficial.

If there’s anything you’re still unsure about, our FAQ at the end of the article will clear up any confusion.

Best Mushroom Coffee (Our reviews)

Here are some of the best mushroom coffees available on the market along with their ingredients and benefits:

1. Ryze Mushroom Infused Coffee

The biggest downside to drinking and enjoying your coffee is the amount of caffeine getting pumped into your body. Too much caffeine has many bad side effects such as increased anxiety.

Ryze Mushroom Infused coffee does contain caffeine, but the amount isn’t nearly as much as your normal cup of coffee. It’s an all-natural, keto-friendly product that contains very little sugar which is good for those wanting to cut down on refined sugars.

Where a regular cup of coffee has around 150 mg of caffeine, Ryze’s product has only around 50 mg per serving which is more than enough to get your day started on the right foot.

This product is supercharged with 6 different mushrooms. These include Cordyceps, Lion’s Mane, Shiitake, Turkey Tail, Reishi, and King Trumpet. Since we have already discussed the benefits of lion’s mane, let’s look at the benefits of the other mushrooms.

Benefits

Cordyceps are a type of medical mushroom that are used in traditional Chinese medicine and its benefits include boosting exercise performance and containing anti-aging and anti-tumor properties.

Shiitake grows on fallen timber and has high amounts of copper. This provides support to bones, your immune system, and blood vessels.

Turkey Tail is a part of the Polygonaceae family in the fungi kingdom and is loaded with antioxidants that help promote your immune system by reducing inflammation. It is often used to make turkey tail tea but has many benefits.

Reishi grows in warm conditions throughout Asia. The benefits of this mushroom include helping with digestion, improving the condition of your lungs, and having many anti-cancer properties.

Lastly, we have the King Trumpet mushroom belonging to the oyster mushroom family. The benefits of the King Trumpet include lowering cholesterol levels, anti-cancer properties, and helping with weight loss.

The best lion’s mane supplements usually contain at least 2000mg of active ingredients in each serving, Ryze Superfoods includes exactly that amount but of their mushroom blend, so all 5 mushrooms total 2000mg per serving.

The combination of all these mushrooms and their benefits makes this a much healthier and more beneficial coffee replacement.

After having your cup of Ryze, you will notice mental fog clearing almost instantly, a boost in your mood, and an increase in focus. That same focusing energy you experience from normal coffee is present, but without the jitters and other downsides that come with drinking too much caffeine.

This coffee can be enjoyed in the same way that you enjoy your regular coffee. It has a warm, earthy taste that will take some time getting used to, but once you go Ryze, you’ll never want to go back to normal coffee.

A bag of Ryze Mushroom Infused Coffee will cost you around $30 for 30 sachets, making this on the premium side of mushroom coffee.

Pros

• Packed with beneficial mushrooms
• Instantly mix and enjoy
• Low caffeine content
• Mental and physical boost

Cons

• Not the cheapest option

2. MUD/WTR Coffee Alternative

MUD/WTR is marketed as a coffee replacement to help people limit their caffeine intake.

The different mushrooms found within this mix include lion’s mane, cordyceps, chaga, and reishi.

Now that we know the benefits of all these mushrooms, we can be certain that this product will be beneficial to our health.

Lower caffeine content – it has less than a seventh of caffeine found in a normal cup of coffee and eliminates the bad side effects from drinking regular coffee.

Texture-wise, this doesn’t drink like coffee as a lot of the components don’t break down fully when mixed into boiling water. This gives it a sandy texture at times. It’s not unbearable but you won’t get the same texture from having regular coffee.

The taste is pleasantly refreshing, and again since we include mushrooms into the mix, very earthy.

It’s also straightforward to make and versatile to use. It can be added to smoothies, turned into an iced coffee, and much more.

Other elements that might add to the flavor and benefits include masala chai, cinnamon which helps regulate blood sugar, turmeric which is a powerful anti-inflammatory, and Himalayan sea salt that balances electrolytes.

MUD/WTR provides a good boost in mental and physical energy which is thanks to the mushrooms in the blend. This change isn’t extremely noticeable, but it will give you an afternoon jolt without the risk of getting a crash in the evening.

It comes in a starter kit that’s priced around $40 so that makes this one of the more expensive mushroom coffees.

Pros

• Great taste
• Versatile
• Helps keep you energized and focussed
• Easy to prepare

Cons

•  Sandy texture

Jump to Ryze vs MUD/WTR breakdown

Best MUD/WTR Alternatives →

3. Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee Mix

Four Sigmatic created a coffee that aims to eliminate the caffeine crashes that comes with drinking regular coffee by using Lion’s Mane and Chaga extracts.

Lion’s mane is good for the brain and gives you a mental energy boost, whilst Chaga supports the immune system and plays an important role in reducing heart problems.

As with most products containing lion’s mane and chaga extracts, mushroom coffee shouldn’t be consumed by pregnant or lactating women and it’s best to consult your physician before trying any of these products. This warning is on the box too.

The Four Sigmatic mushroom coffee mix comes in sachets and acts as an instant coffee, making it accessible, allowing you to take it wherever you go. So, there’s no need for a coffee machine or spending a lot of time to get that morning cup of joe into your system.

Flavor

The taste is described as a fruity and medium flavor, but it would be more accurate to say it has a pleasant earthy flavor. The initial taste might throw some people off as it isn’t like your everyday cup of joe, but it only gets better the more you drink it. It’s certainly an acquired taste.

It’s best enjoyed with milk and sugar, but we aren’t here for the taste. Instead, we want to focus on what benefits this mushroom coffee brings to the mug.

Benefits

One of the benefits of drinking this coffee includes minimizing the negative effects that come with drinking regular coffee such as crashing, jitters, and headaches.

The mushroom extracts in this product will keep you energized and focused so that you can get right back to work.

The effects aren’t night and day, but you can certainly notice a difference after drinking the coffee. It won’t give you the energy you get from a caffeinated energy drink, but it will keep you focused and restore a place of mental balance.

This Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee Mix is a great addition to a healthy diet. It will only add extra benefits to everything you are already doing in your diet that will keep your physical and mental health in a good state.

Coming in at around $15, this isn’t the cheapest coffee on the market, but this isn’t just your regular store-bought coffee so the price will be higher compared to that of normal coffee.

Pros

• Keeps the negative effects of coffee at bay
• Keeps you focused
• Good addition to a healthy diet
• Easy to make

Cons

• Taste won’t be for everyone

4. Super U Mushroom Coffee

Super U Mushroom coffee has appeared in Forbes magazine and on the popular BBC show Dragon’s Den. It’s certainly making a scene in the world of mushroom coffee. They are trying to bring superfoods to as many people as possible.

The blend in this product includes 3 different types of functional mushrooms. These are cordyceps, lion’s mane, and chaga, all of which we have discussed the benefits.

Benefits

The combination of these mushrooms into a single product can make you feel more energetic, improve mental clarity, and boost your energy levels.

Another inclusion in the mix is the maca root. It’s grown on the western slopes of the Andes and is an adaptogenic herb meaning it helps your body resist physical and emotional stress. This herb can increase your sex drive and balance hormone levels.

Super U Shroom Coffee comes packaged in a glossy, recyclable cardboard container that has easy-to-read ingredients and nutritional facts. There are neat visual representations of the ingredients covering the surface area of the container too.

This product is gluten-free and contains no artificial flavorings. It’s also vegan-friendly.

Having it as a black coffee, the taste is compared to a lighter and earthy espresso.

Adding your favorite milk or milk substitute will make for a creamier taste that isn’t overpowered by caffeine. This is due to Super U using half of the normal caffeine dosage found in most coffees, freeing you from jitters.

This is a versatile product that can easily be turned into an iced coffee if you want to cool yourself down on a hot summer day. It can also be used as an additional flavor to your favorite protein shake.

Drinking this coffee will help you power through your day by boosting your energy levels and clearing any mental fog, ensuring that you remain focused.

A 2-month supply for $35 makes this product well worth the asking price and will leave buyers feeling satisfied with their purchase.

Pros

• Versatile
• Gluten-free and vegan 
• Cool packaging
• Variety of mushrooms in the mix

Cons

• Acquired taste

Mushroom Coffee Buying Guide

Coffee is everyone’s staple beverage. Just catching a whiff of that familiar rich aroma of your morning cup of joe signals the start of your day, whether you have your regular americanos, cappuccinos, frappes, and all the other kinds out there. But you’ve probably never heard of mushroom coffee before. 

What is mushroom coffee?

As its name suggests, the main ingredients are mushrooms (in powdered form) and coffee beans. You might be thinking, does this kind of coffee use the mushrooms used in cooking? No, it does not. 

Rather, it uses functional mushrooms, which have been used since time immemorial, especially in traditional Chinese medicine. Each of these mushrooms species offers nutrients and antioxidants that are beneficial for both mind and body:

What Mushrooms Are Used?

Cordyceps

Cordyceps helps the body utilize oxygen more efficiently, enhance blood circulation, and improve vitality and endurance naturally by supporting respiration and oxygen delivery.  It also boosts your immunity by stimulating cells and chemicals in the immune system. The best cordyceps supplements use only the fruiting body of the mushroom.

Chaga

This mushroom’s antioxidant properties help fight oxidation and lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Its antioxidant and immunity-supporting activities help balance the metabolic system. As a natural adaptogen, it helps relieve symptoms associated with elevated stress levels by improving the adrenal system and fighting off fatigue.

Lion’s Mane

A powerhouse of inflammatory properties, lion’s mane mushrooms have been found to stimulate the synthesis of the Nerve Growth Factor (NGF). This protein promotes the growth of nerve cells and their normal function and is extremely beneficial for cognitive abilities such as memory, concentration, and learning. Recent research also discovered its potential as an antidote against Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

Reishi

Reishi mushrooms help enhance the immune system, reduce stress, improve sleep, and lessen fatigue. It’s also used to treat other conditions like headaches, arthritis, gout, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels. Not only that, but it also hydrates and detoxifies the skin while at the same time protecting it against skin problems like premature aging, redness, and fine lines.

Turkey Tail

This mushroom species actively supports immune health and contains powerful antioxidants and healthy-aging properties. It helps increase energy, strengthen the lungs, stomach, and spleen. It also improves gut bacteria balance, positively boosting your immunity. In Japan, taking turkey tail mushrooms is often part of standard cancer treatment.

The Benefits of Mushroom Coffee

When consumed daily, drinking mushroom coffee has a lot of health benefits, especially with regards to boosting one’s immune health. Here are a few:

It boosts your immune system

The selection of mushrooms used in mushroom coffee contains beneficial compounds, such as polyphenols, polysaccharides, vitamins, and minerals, which help boost the immune system. It also works to balance your gut health, strengthening your immunity even further. 

It’s an effective stress reliever

Drinking mushroom coffee can greatly help you manage your stress. The adaptogens in your mushroom coffee help level out the amount of cortisol, a stress hormone that affects our bodies in many situations. People who suffer from depression, hypoglycemia, fever, and trauma tend to have higher amounts of cortisol, may benefit from drinking this beverage.

It eases inflammation

Mushrooms are known to contain powerful anti-inflammatory compounds like polysaccharides, carotenoids, and B vitamins, so it’s not surprising that mushroom coffee can relieve bodily inflammation.

It has less caffeine

Sometimes less can be more, and that statement rings true with mushroom coffee. An 8-ounce cup of mushroom coffee only has around 50 milligrams of caffeine, which is half of what is found in regular coffee, but it doesn’t lack in any way in keeping your body awake and alert as you want it. This quality helps people, especially those sensitive to caffeine, achieve better sleep at night. 

How to Prepare Mushroom Coffee

Preparing mushroom coffee is essentially the same as preparing a regular cup of coffee. Simply dissolve the curated blend of mushrooms and coffee beans in hot water. Add milk/creamer or sweeteners al gusto, or you can enjoy it in its simple form. Also, you can mix just one species of mushroom into your coffee. 

Are There Any Downsides or Side Effects?

The benefits of mushroom coffee sure sound exciting, but before you head off to the market to get your pack, there are some things that you should be aware of before you chug down a few cups. 

There are always ups and downs to something, and there is no exception with mushroom coffee. For one thing, it is a lot more expensive than ordinary coffee, about double the price of a regular-sized pack. The reason behind it is that the mushrooms used in the product are rarer and harder to come by. 

The ingredients themselves can cause a few notable health problems too. For example, some mushrooms can cause diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, and stomach discomfort, and it can be a lot for those with kidney-related conditions. Consuming excessive amounts of Chaga mushrooms, in particular, can increase the potential for kidney stones.

While the beverage does provide some health benefits, it’s important to note that mushroom coffee contains only mushroom extract. Experts and dietitians still hold that including [functional] mushrooms in your diet is still the best way to enjoy their qualities fully.

Additionally, more research is needed to further solidify the health claims attributed to drinking mushroom coffee or the benefits of consuming the aforementioned functional mushrooms.

→ Can you drink mushroom coffee while fasting?

MUD WTR vs Ryze

When you compare Ryze vs MUD/WTR there are some distinct differences that set these two mushroom coffee brands apart. MUD/WTR has been formulated to be a complete coffee alternative, it contains no coffee at all. Whereas Ryze mushroom coffee adds the functional mushroom blend to coffee.

The table below compares the ingredients of both MUD/WTR and Ryze and then we’ll give you recommendations as to which drink suits which person.

Buy Ryze if…

• You want the benefits of functional mushrooms mixed with actual coffee
• You want the cheaper option
• You want the benefits of Turkey Tail, King Trumpet, and Shiitake mushrooms (these are not present in MUD/WTR)
• You want the slightly lower calorie option

Buy MUD/WTR if…

• You want a full coffee alternative that contains zero coffee
• You want the benefits of Chaga mushrooms (these are not present in Ryze)
• You want the higher mushroom content per serving

Key Takeaways

With all things considered, mushroom coffee remains a promising health beverage that could add a different kick to your morning cup of coffee and provide you with health benefits that help you achieve the life you want.

While it’s generally safe to chug, it pays to check with a trusted dietitian or doctor and discuss the possible benefits/repercussions to your health that such an addition to your diet can cause. Doing your own research certainly helps too, but testing it out gradually and observing the effects and results is a sure-fire way of checking its efficacy.

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Disclaimer: this article does not constitute or replace medical advice. If you have an emergency or a serious medical question, please contact a medical professional or call 911 immediately. To see our full medical disclaimer, visit our Terms of Use page.