Every coffee lover knows that there’s nothing like a fresh cup of coffee to look forward to in the morning. Delicious, rich, and addicting — nearly 87% of Americans consider themselves obsessed with coffee. But would you give up your favorite cup of joe for a healthier alternative?
Recently, mushroom coffee has suddenly become popular among health enthusiasts who claim this beverage tastes surprisingly like coffee. So, what’s the hype around mushroom coffee and what is it? We break it down below.
What is mushroom coffee?
We know it sounds strange, but mushroom coffee doesn’t include chunks of mushroom floating in it (and we’re thankful for that). Mushroom coffee is made from a blend of ground mushroom extracts with medicinal properties combined with ground coffee beans. Mushroom coffee does contain regular coffee beans, but it also has added benefits from the adaptogenic mushrooms mixed in a 1:1 ratio.
A variety of different mushroom species can be used in mushroom coffee, but the best mushroom coffee most commonly contains lion’s mane, reishi, chaga, or turkey’s tail varieties. These mushroom varieties are dried and ground and then blended into a ground coffee bean mixture you can brew like regular coffee.
Since real coffee is blended into the mushroom extract, you’ll still get the taste of coffee you love when drinking mushroom coffee. But why should you switch?
Why is mushroom coffee so popular?
One of the main reasons to switch to mushroom coffee is to cut down on caffeine intake. Switching to mushroom coffee can allow you to comfortably enjoy coffee without the jitters. This is also a great alternative for people who can’t consume or wish not to consume large amounts of caffeine, such as older people or breastfeeding women. The average cup of mushroom coffee contains about half the caffeine of a normal cup of coffee.
Since consuming too much caffeine can also impair sleep quality, switching to mushroom coffee is helpful for people experiencing sleep difficulties like insomnia. Overconsuming caffeine can also lead to increased stress, causing adrenal fatigue as your adrenals have to work harder and harder.
The benefits of mushroom coffee
In addition to consuming less caffeine, several other mushroom coffee benefits are worth the switch. Mushrooms contain beneficial compounds and antioxidants, such as polyphenols, which can play a role in supporting a healthy immune system and reducing inflammation in the body. Adaptogenic mushrooms also can help improve the stress response and help you to produce less cortisol over time. Reducing your stress levels over time can help you improve your mental health and fight against other chronic diseases, too.
Specific types of medicinal mushroom species may also offer their own unique benefits. For example, studies show that reishi mushrooms may help reduce blood cholesterol levels and play a role in reducing the risk of developing heart disease. If you have a specific health concern in mind, be sure to research which type of adaptogenic mushroom coffee is best for your condition.
Popular mushroom coffee brands
Since mushroom coffee has gained so much popularity, new brands are popping up everywhere. However, it’s important to choose a trustworthy brand that uses high-quality mushroom extracts and coffee beans. Many people also opt for mushroom coffee creamer, which can be added to traditional coffee you may already have in your cupboard.
Check out a few of the best mushroom coffee brands below. These brands use premium ingredients for a great-tasting cup of mushroom coffee.
Ryze mushroom coffee
Using all-natural ingredients and 100% organic mushrooms, Ryze mushroom coffee is one of the best coffee choices available in terms of quality and taste. Making this ready-to-use mushroom coffee is simple, too. To use, add one tablespoon of Ryze mushroom coffee to a mug. Pour in 8 to 10 ounces of hot or cold water, stir with a wooden spoon (included in your purchase), and mix well. Add in any creamer or sweetener of your choice, and enjoy!
Four Sigmatic mushroom coffee
Four Sigmatic is another popular mushroom coffee brand that uses USDA-certified organic ingredients. From instant coffee to ground coffee to K-Cup pods, this brand’s products make it easy to switch to mushroom coffee. Four Sigmatic also offers many specialty blends of functional coffees, such as their premium half-calf blend.
Everyday Dose mushroom coffee
Everyday Dose is a new brand on the market that offers high-quality, lab-tested mushroom coffee. This brand ensures an ultra-clean product that is tested for beta-glucans, heavy metals, allergens, mycotoxins, and mold. The double extraction process of this mushroom coffee increases the bioavailability of beta-glucans, triterpenes, triterpenoids, and sterols. In addition, each product contains no starch or myceliated oats.
