MUDWTR Matcha Review 2026

What Is MUD\WTR Matcha?

I did not plan to like MUD\WTR Matcha as much as I do. I went into our testing expecting the Original to be the clear winner (it is the flagship, after all), and figured the Matcha variant would be a niche option for green tea fans. I was wrong. This ended up being the product two of our four testers reached for most often by the end of our six-week test.

MUD\WTR :rise Matcha swaps the cacao-and-chai base of the Original for organic Japanese matcha. But the real story is the mushroom dose: 3,000mg per serving. That is the highest in the entire MUD\WTR lineup, 760mg more than Original. Combined with 55mg of caffeine and matcha's natural L-theanine, this is basically a focus drink disguised as a morning ritual.

Here is the thing, though. Matcha is polarizing. You probably already know if you like the taste of green tea or not. If you do, keep reading. If you hate matcha, skip to our MUD\WTR Original review instead. No amount of mushrooms and spices will fix a flavor you fundamentally do not enjoy.

Ingredients Breakdown

Organic Japanese Matcha (2,200mg)

The matcha here is USDA Organic and sourced from Japan. At 2,200mg per serving, it is a generous pour. Most matcha lattes at coffee shops use about 2g (2,000mg), so you are getting a full serving's worth before the mushrooms even enter the picture.

What makes matcha different from regular green tea (or coffee) is that you consume the whole tea leaf, ground into a fine powder. That means you get everything: the caffeine, the catechins (EGCG in particular, which is a powerful antioxidant), the chlorophyll, and, most importantly for this product, the L-theanine.

L-theanine is the reason matcha energy feels different from coffee energy. It is an amino acid that promotes alpha brain waves, the same brain state you hit during meditation or that flow state when you are deep in focused work. When L-theanine pairs with caffeine, you get alertness without the jittery edge. Our testers described it as "awake but calm," which sounds contradictory until you feel it yourself.

The Mushroom Blend (3,000mg per serving)

This is where MUD\WTR Matcha pulls ahead of the rest of the lineup. Three thousand milligrams of mushrooms in one serving. For context, if you bought separate Lion's Mane and Reishi capsules at a health store, you would typically take 1,000-2,000mg total per day. This product exceeds that in a single cup.

• Reishi: The calming adaptogen. During our testing, I felt like Reishi and L-theanine worked together in a noticeable way. The whole drink has this smoothing effect on your mental state. Less reactive, more even-keeled. Reishi is also studied for immune support, which is a bonus.
• Lion's Mane: The focus mushroom. Studied for its potential to stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) production. Paired with matcha's L-theanine, this is the combination that makes the Matcha blend feel like a focus supplement you actually want to drink. I wrote faster on mornings I had this vs. the Original. Anecdotal, sure. But consistent over six weeks.
• Cordyceps: Traditionally associated with physical energy and endurance. Research suggests it supports oxygen utilization and cellular energy production. Our tester who runs in the mornings said she felt less winded on Cordyceps days, though she was not willing to call it conclusive with only six weeks of data.
• Chaga: Packed with antioxidants. Chaga has centuries of traditional use in Siberian and Northern European medicine for immune support. It rounds out the blend with general wellness support rather than a specific noticeable effect.

Warming Spices

Like the Original, MUD\WTR Matcha includes organic cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, black pepper, and cardamom. These do two things: they soften the grassiness of straight matcha (more on that in the taste section), and they add functional value. Turmeric provides curcumin, and black pepper's piperine enhances curcumin absorption by up to 2,000%. Himalayan pink salt finishes the formula with trace minerals.

Taste and Preparation

Straight matcha can be grassy and bitter if you are not used to it. MUD\WTR Matcha is not that. The warming spices take the edge off the grassiness, and the mushroom blend adds an earthy depth that rounds out the whole flavor. It still tastes like matcha, unmistakably, but it is a warmer, more layered version. Think of it as matcha with a sweater on.

I tested preparation methods obsessively over the six weeks. Here is what I found:

• Hot with a frother (the winner): One tablespoon in about 8 oz of hot water. Important: do not use boiling water. Around 175 degrees F is ideal. Boiling water makes matcha bitter. Froth it for 15-20 seconds, and you get a smooth, slightly foamy drink that is genuinely pleasant.
• Latte style (the crowd favorite): Froth the powder with 2-3 oz of hot water to make a concentrated base, then top with steamed oat milk. This was the preparation method that converted our one matcha skeptic. Coconut milk works great too and pairs well with the spice blend.
• Iced: Shake or blend the powder with cold water, pour over ice, add milk. Perfect for afternoons or warm weather. Not as smooth as the hot version, but refreshing.

One thing to know: matcha clumps more easily than the cacao-based Original. A frother is not optional with this one. Stirring with a spoon leaves you with lumps and a gritty bottom. If you do not own a frother, a traditional bamboo matcha whisk also works perfectly.

MUD\WTR Matcha vs. Original: Which Should You Choose?

We get this question constantly, and after testing both for six weeks, I can break it down to three things: flavor, caffeine, and mushroom dose.

Flavor: Original tastes like spiced hot chocolate. Matcha tastes like, well, matcha with warm spices. Almost everyone likes one of these flavors. Not everyone likes both. Try whichever sounds more appealing to you. If you are genuinely unsure, start with Original. It has a more universally friendly flavor profile.

Caffeine: Original has 35mg. Matcha has 55mg. That 20mg difference is noticeable. Our heavy coffee drinker preferred Matcha because it felt a little closer to the energy level she was used to. Our caffeine-sensitive tester preferred Original because 55mg was pushing her comfort zone. If you are somewhere in the middle, either works.

Mushroom dose: Matcha wins outright. 3,000mg vs. 2,240mg. If you are specifically interested in getting the most functional mushrooms per serving, the math is simple.

What ended up happening with our team? Two people alternated between both, using Original on relaxed mornings and Matcha on days that required deep focus. That is actually a pretty solid approach if you do not want to choose.

Who Is MUD\WTR Matcha For?

• Matcha fans: If you already drink matcha, adding this to your routine is a no-brainer. You get 3,000mg of functional mushrooms on top of what you already enjoy. It is the easiest upgrade you could make.
• People who need to focus: The L-theanine plus Lion's Mane plus moderate caffeine combination is the best natural focus stack I have tested in a drinkable format. I wrote my best articles on MUD\WTR Matcha mornings. Students, writers, anyone doing deep work: take note.
• MUD\WTR Original fans who want a step up: If you love the concept but want a stronger energy lift and more mushrooms per cup, Matcha is the natural next move.
• People halfway between coffee and caffeine-free: At 55mg of caffeine, this sits right in the middle. Enough to feel awake, not enough to trigger jitters for most people.

Skip this one if you dislike green tea flavors (there is no hiding the matcha here), if you are highly caffeine-sensitive and find even 55mg uncomfortable, or if you just prefer the chocolatey warmth of the Original blend.

Our Verdict

MUD\WTR :rise Matcha gets a 4.6 out of 5 from our team. The only reason it scores a hair below the Original's 4.7 is flavor accessibility. Matcha is polarizing; some people love it, some people just do not. That is not a product flaw, it is a preference thing. But it means fewer people will enjoy this on day one compared to the more universally appealing Original.

On pure substance, though? This might be the most impressive product MUD\WTR makes. The 3,000mg mushroom dose is the highest in the range. The matcha is real, organic, Japanese-sourced. The L-theanine and caffeine combination creates a focused, calm energy that I have not found in any other mushroom coffee product. And the warming spices make it more interesting than just drinking plain matcha.

If you want the strongest mushroom dose and the best focus benefits in the MUD\WTR lineup, this is the one. I keep a tin of it next to the Original and reach for Matcha every morning I have serious work to do.

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