What is mushroom coffee and why do people drink it? This is the question that everyone is asking themselves at the moment. Mushroom coffee doesn’t sound very appetizing, but I’ve been drinking it for almost a year and it’s a game changer.
Like coffee smoothies and bulletproof coffee, mushroom coffee is one trend that many coffee shops have jumped on. You brew regular coffee beans with special mushrooms, meaning you get the health benefits of coffee along with the good nutrients in the mushrooms. It’s a health fan’s dream.
If you want to know how to make mushroom coffee, what are the best coffee machines for making it, and who makes the best mushroom coffee, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s everything you need to know about this slightly strange but delicious drink.
What is mushroom coffee?
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Mushroom coffee is exactly what it sounds like. It’s mushrooms ground extremely finely and brewed in the same way you brew coffee. Some brands also offer a blend of ground coffee.
If you don’t like mushrooms, this won’t be for you, but it’s surprisingly delicious. Mushroom coffee is polished, nutty, and earthy. All of these adjectives could easily be applied to regular coffee, but there’s a difference. The earthiness is stronger in mushroom coffee, and the overall drink tastes lighter. Regular coffee can be fruity and chocolatey, but I’ve never had a mushroom coffee like this. It was prosperous and not at all sweet. It makes for a surprisingly delicious cup of “coffee.”
Sheri is a registered dietitian who works on plant-based, balanced, sustainable nutrition. She is also a certified diabetes care and education specialist who works with the Heart and Lung Wellness Program.
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Mushroom coffee is often made with medicinal mushrooms such as chaga, lion’s mane or reishi, which many nutritionists believe show promising potential for improving concentration, improving the functioning of the immune system and reducing stress. Clarissa Berryregistered dietitian, says that “mushrooms have the highest fibre content of all foods, which means they feed and nourish the gut microbiome. It keeps our gut well, as well as looking after our cardiovascular, immune and nervous systems.”
She explained how it works, telling me, “When mushrooms are broken down, the fiber becomes diminutive molecules called beta-glucans, which have amazing properties. These molecules can stimulate the immune system to seek out and destroy pathogens and damaged cells. They have powerful anti-inflammatory effects and have the power to regulate and soothe body systems. Other lively compounds in mushrooms improve cognitive and physical performance, improve skin health, boost sexual vitality, and protect and regenerate neurons.”
Always consult your doctor before deciding to drink mushroom coffee, because if you have any autoimmune issues, mushroom allergies, or digestive issues, mushroom coffee may not be for you.
Clarissa is a registered dietitian and holistic nutritionist who works with DIRTEA. Her background is in research, so she follows all the research and studies on health. Mushroom coffee has her seal of approval.
How to Make Mushroom Coffee
My cup of coffee with mushrooms
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If you are fresh to mushroom coffee, start lightly. The milder types of mushroom flavors come from Chaga blends, if you want a stronger drink, you can utilize Reishi blends. I used DIRTEA coffee because it was highly recommended in the mushroom coffee community. This is a premixed mushroom coffee blend that is a great place to start. Most blends will have some ground coffee in them, so you will still get some caffeine and still get to enjoy the mushroom flavors.
If you are making it from scratch, you can add half to one teaspoon mushroom powder to freshly brewed coffee and mix well. You can gradually weaken the coffee and the mushroom flavors will stand out.
I used a pre-made mushroom coffee blend. If you’re using powder, add 2.5 grams to a cup of coffee with 8 ounces of scorching water. Once mixed, they’re ready to drink. If you want to try different brewing methods, you can utilize the mushroom coffee blend just like you would regular ground coffee. They work in French presses, and I’ve seen people on TikTok using espresso machines, drip coffee makers, and pour-over coffee makers.
Most people drink their mushroom coffee with scorching water, but I tried mine with a little steamed milk. The results were surprisingly good. The prosperous mushrooms pair beautifully with the latte-like consistency of the oat milk. The creamy sweetness of the oats softens the earthy mushroom notes and gives it a really creamy flavor.
This is the blend I used for the two weeks I tested the mushroom coffee. It’s a blend with ground coffee, so it’s a good starting point.
The Four Sigmatic blend comes in handy sachets, so you don’t have to wonder how much to add to your scorching water. This blend has thousands of positive reviews on Amazon.
Wunderground’s Hocus Pocus blend contains Reishi mushrooms, which the manufacturer claims lend a hand fight fatigue, depression and lower blood sugar levels.
Tips and Tricks
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Mushroom coffee isn’t naturally sweet, so I wanted to see what happened when I added syrups, cocoa, and spices to it.
I first tried the chocolate mushroom coffee, adding a spoonful of cocoa powder to the mix before adding the milk and water. Cocoa tastes better with milk than with water. In both cases, the bitterness of the cocoa enhanced the dehydrated flavors of the mushroom. It wasn’t the most delicious drink, so I added a spoonful of sweetener and the whole drink changed. It became a delicious, prosperous, shadowy drink that I now consider my specialty. I played around with different types of cocoa and Divine hot chocolate with salted caramel powder makes the best brew. Anyone who comes to me for coffee will now be treated to this: it’s my specialty.
I tried adding some cinnamon and vanilla to my mushroom mix and both were good, although I felt the flavors were a bit lost in the mushroom coffee. The chocolate mushroom coffee is still a winner for me.
As a fan of iced coffee, I poured some of my mushroom coffee over ice. It didn’t excite me as much as I thought it would. The nutty flavor of the mushroom coffee is delightful when sultry, when icy, it’s a bit too zingy for me.
What are the disadvantages?
Of course, nothing is without its flaws, so there are a few things to consider. The first is that it is not as energizing as coffee. Sure, it can lend a hand you wake up, but don’t expect a caffeine rush. The second is that it doesn’t taste like coffee, and while it may be delicious, you may miss the prosperous aroma and flavor of coffee.
More importantly, however, the health claims are not all that well-researched. It is completely secure to consume, but until more research is done, it is neither more nor less well for you than eating mushrooms. It is great as part of a balanced diet, but it is not magical. This was not an issue I had, but some who have tried it have found that mushroom coffee is more complex to digest, and there is also a risk of exacerbating allergies.
Frequently asked questions
Is drinking coffee with mushrooms well?
Some people drink mushroom coffee for its health benefits, claiming that adaptogens reduce the amount of cortisol in the body. This is supposed to reduce the effects of stress on the body. Mushrooms also contain polyphenols (antioxidants) that may lend a hand reduce inflammation in the body. More research is needed, however.
What is the point of mushroom coffee?
Mushroom coffee has a similar flavor profile to regular coffee, but without the caffeine. It can be useful for people who suffer from coffee jitters and anxiety, as it does not have the same stimulating effect on the body.
What does mushroom coffee taste like?
Many people describe mushroom coffee as having the earthy, nutty flavor of regular coffee.
Does coffee with mushrooms cause GERD?
If you suffer from acid reflux from regular coffee, you may want to consider switching to mushroom coffee. It is not as acidic as coffee beans, so you can enjoy a sultry brew without acid reflux.
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I don’t consider myself a TikTok slave, but what can I say, he knew best. Mushroom coffee is an acquired taste. Once I stopped expecting sweeter, milder brews and accepted the earthy notes, I really started to enjoy my morning mushroom coffee. I also liked the feeling that it was doing my body good. I don’t know if it was the slower energy boosts or the antioxidants, but the mushroom coffee gave me an energy boost.
