What Is Mushroom Coffee?

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Mushroom coffee is one of the fastest-growing trends in the wellness and functional food space, but the name can be misleading. No, your cup will not taste like mushrooms from a pizza topping. Mushroom coffee is a carefully formulated blend of traditional coffee or cacao combined with powdered extracts from functional mushrooms — species that have been used for centuries in traditional medicine systems across Asia and Europe.

The result is a warm, satisfying beverage that delivers the comforting ritual of your morning cup while adding a layer of functional benefits: cognitive support, immune defense, sustained energy, and stress adaptation. If you have been curious about mushroom coffee but are not sure where to start, this guide covers everything you need to know.

How Mushroom Coffee Works

At its simplest, mushroom coffee is made by blending finely powdered mushroom extracts into a coffee, cacao, or chai base. The mushrooms used are not culinary varieties like button or portobello. Instead, they are functional mushrooms — species with bioactive compounds such as beta-glucans, triterpenes, hericenones, and polysaccharides that research suggests may support various aspects of human health.

Most mushroom coffee products contain between 1,000mg and 3,000mg of mushroom extracts per serving, combined with a lower dose of caffeine than regular coffee. This combination is intentional: the reduced caffeine provides gentle alertness, while the adaptogenic properties of the mushrooms help your body manage stress and maintain balance throughout the day.

The mushroom extracts dissolve fully into hot water, so the texture of your drink is smooth — not chunky or gritty. Depending on the blend, mushroom coffee can taste like a rich chocolatey chai (in the case of cacao-based blends like MUD\WTR Original), a smooth matcha latte, or even traditional coffee with a slightly earthy undertone.

The Key Functional Mushrooms

Not all mushrooms are created equal when it comes to functional benefits. Here are the five most important species you will encounter in mushroom coffee products, along with what the research says about each one.

Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus)

Lion's Mane is arguably the most exciting functional mushroom from a cognitive perspective. Named for its distinctive cascading white spines that resemble a lion's mane, this mushroom contains two unique compounds — hericenones and erinacines — that have been shown in laboratory and animal studies to stimulate the production of nerve growth factor (NGF). NGF is a protein that plays a critical role in the growth, maintenance, and survival of neurons in the brain.

A 2009 study published in Phytotherapy Research found that older adults who consumed Lion's Mane extract for 16 weeks showed significant improvements in cognitive function compared to a placebo group. While more human clinical trials are needed, the existing evidence is promising for those seeking natural cognitive support. In mushroom coffee, Lion's Mane is primarily included for its potential to enhance focus, memory, and mental clarity.

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)

Known as the "mushroom of immortality" in traditional Chinese medicine, Reishi has been used for over 2,000 years as a tonic for longevity and vitality. Modern research has focused on Reishi's triterpene compounds and polysaccharides, which appear to modulate immune function and support the body's stress response.

Reishi is classified as an adaptogen — a natural substance that helps the body adapt to stress and maintain homeostasis. Studies have examined its potential to support sleep quality, reduce fatigue, and promote a sense of calm. In mushroom coffee blends, Reishi is typically included for its calming and immune-supporting properties, helping to balance the stimulating effects of caffeine.

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)

Chaga grows primarily on birch trees in cold northern climates and has been used in Russian and Scandinavian folk medicine for centuries. It is one of the most antioxidant-rich substances found in nature, with an ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) score that rivals or exceeds many well-known superfoods.

The high concentration of melanin, betulinic acid, and polysaccharides in Chaga has drawn attention from researchers studying immune support and antioxidant defense. In mushroom coffee, Chaga contributes immune-supporting beta-glucans and a deeply earthy, slightly vanilla-like flavor that blends well with both coffee and cacao bases.

Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris)

Cordyceps has a long history in Tibetan and Chinese medicine as an energy and endurance tonic. Modern research has explored its effects on oxygen utilization and ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production — the primary energy currency of your cells. A 2010 study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that Cordyceps supplementation improved exercise performance and contributed to overall wellness in healthy older adults.

Athletes and active individuals are particularly drawn to Cordyceps for its potential to improve stamina and reduce fatigue. In mushroom coffee blends, it complements the caffeine by supporting cellular energy production through a different mechanism, potentially providing a more sustained energy experience than caffeine alone.

Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)

Turkey Tail is one of the most researched functional mushrooms in the world, particularly in the context of immune health. It contains two well-studied polysaccharide compounds — PSK (polysaccharide-K) and PSP (polysaccharopeptide) — that have been shown to support immune function in numerous clinical studies. In Japan, PSK extracted from Turkey Tail has been used as an adjunctive therapy in medical settings for decades.

Turkey Tail also supports gut health by acting as a prebiotic, feeding beneficial gut bacteria. Since approximately 70% of the immune system resides in the gut, this prebiotic function provides an additional pathway for immune support. In mushroom coffee products, Turkey Tail is often found in evening or caffeine-free blends, as well as in pure mushroom supplement powders.

How Mushroom Coffee Compares to Regular Coffee

The most significant difference between mushroom coffee and regular coffee is the caffeine content. A standard 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee contains approximately 90-100mg of caffeine, while most mushroom coffee blends contain between 0mg and 55mg, depending on the product. MUD\WTR Original, for example, contains 35mg — enough to provide gentle alertness without triggering the jitters, racing heart, or anxiety that higher caffeine levels can cause.

This lower caffeine content also means fewer of the downsides associated with heavy coffee consumption. Many coffee drinkers experience disrupted sleep (even from coffee consumed in the early afternoon), increased cortisol production, acid reflux, caffeine dependency, and the familiar mid-afternoon energy crash. Mushroom coffee, with its reduced caffeine and adaptogenic mushroom content, largely avoids these issues.

The trade-off is real, though. If you depend on coffee for a sharp burst of morning energy, mushroom coffee will feel gentler. The energy it provides is often described as a "steady hum" rather than a "spike and crash." For many people, this is a welcome change. For others who truly need that intense caffeine hit, mushroom coffee products like MUD\WTR Coffee+ (which blends real coffee with mushrooms and L-theanine) offer a middle ground.

Who Should Try Mushroom Coffee?

Mushroom coffee is not for everyone, but it is an excellent fit for several groups:

• People looking to reduce caffeine intake — If you want to cut back on coffee without going cold turkey, mushroom coffee provides a satisfying morning ritual with a fraction of the caffeine.
• Those experiencing coffee side effects — Jitters, anxiety, acid reflux, disrupted sleep, and afternoon crashes are common complaints among coffee drinkers. Mushroom coffee addresses all of these.
• Anyone interested in functional mushrooms — If you have been wanting to try Lion's Mane, Reishi, or other functional mushrooms, mushroom coffee is one of the most convenient and enjoyable delivery methods.
• Health-conscious individuals — If you prefer organic, whole-food-based products and want your morning drink to do more than just deliver caffeine, mushroom coffee adds genuine nutritional value to your routine.
• People seeking sustained energy — If you are tired of the spike-and-crash energy cycle of coffee, the combination of low-dose caffeine and adaptogenic mushrooms provides a more stable energy experience throughout the day.

On the other hand, mushroom coffee may not be the best choice if you are firmly committed to the taste of traditional coffee and unwilling to experiment, if you have mushroom allergies, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding (consult your healthcare provider first regarding functional mushroom supplements).

Getting Started with Mushroom Coffee

If this guide has piqued your interest, the easiest way to start is with a well-established brand that uses high-quality, organic mushroom extracts at effective doses. MUD\WTR is the brand we recommend most often because of their ingredient transparency, organic certifications, and the breadth of their product lineup — they have options for morning energy, afternoon focus, and even evening relaxation.

We suggest starting with MUD\WTR :rise Original, which combines all four key mushrooms (Lion's Mane, Chaga, Reishi, and Cordyceps) in a rich cacao-chai blend with just 35mg of caffeine. Give it at least a week to adjust your palate and notice the effects. Most people report feeling the difference in energy quality within the first few days, while the cognitive benefits of Lion's Mane tend to build over several weeks of consistent use.

Try MUDWTR :rise Original

For a deeper dive into specific products, check out our product reviews or browse our best mushroom coffee picks for 2026.