One of the newest additions to the wellness drink trend is mushroom coffee. This curious concoction has gained attention for its unique blend of regular coffee and medicinal mushrooms, promising a range of health benefits.
But is mushroom coffee just another fad or does it really live up to its claims?
Let’s dive in.
What is mushroom coffee?
Mushroom coffee is a fascinating blend of traditional coffee beans and medicinal mushroom extracts. Contrary to what the name suggests, there are no pieces of mushroom floating in your cup.
Instead, the medicinal mushrooms undergo a drying and extraction process to extract their beneficial components, which are then mixed with regular coffee. The result is a drink that tastes remarkably similar to your regular cup of coffee, but with a subtle earthy note.
The mushrooms used in mushroom gummies or coffee are not typical culinary varieties. These are medicinal mushrooms that have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries due to their health-promoting properties.
The most commonly used mushroom coffee varieties include:
- Reishi: Known for its immune-boosting and stress-reducing properties.
- Chaga: Rich in antioxidants and touted for its potential anti-inflammatory effects.
- Lion’s Mane: Believed to support cognitive function and improve concentration.
- Cordyceps: Often associated with increased energy and athletic performance.
How is mushroom coffee made?
Making mushroom coffee requires a careful process. It begins with drying and extracting medicinal mushrooms to extract their beneficial ingredients.
This extraction process involves a two-step process that first uses water and then alcohol to extract both water-soluble and fat-soluble compounds from the mushrooms. The extracted compounds are then dehydrated and ground into a fine powder
This mushroom extract is then mixed with ground coffee beans, typically in a 1:1 ratio, creating a mixture that can be brewed like regular coffee. The final product is available in a variety of forms, including whole beans, ground coffee, instant coffee packets, pre-made lattes, and even coffee pods, providing coffee lovers with numerous options.
The History of Mushroom Coffee
While it may seem like a current trend, the concept of mushroom coffee is not entirely new. During World War II, when coffee beans were in short supply, Finland resorted to mushrooms as a coffee substitute. The rich, earthy flavor of certain mushrooms offered a satisfying alternative to the traditional brew.
In Asian countries, especially in traditional Chinese medicine, fungal spores have been revered for their medicinal properties for thousands of years.
The recent surge in popularity of mushroom coffee in the Western world is a reflection of this centuries-old practice, fueled by growing interest in functional foods and natural wellness trends.
Benefits of Mushroom Coffee
Mushroom coffee blends are touted for their health benefits, many of which are due to the medicinal mushrooms used in the blend. Here are some possible benefits (1):
- Immune Support: Medicinal mushrooms are rich in polysaccharides such as β‑glucans, which have been shown to modulate the immune system and enhance the immune response.
- Stress reduction: Mushrooms like reishi are known as adaptogens, substances that help the body adapt to stress and balance cortisol levels.
- Cognitive Enhancement: Lion’s Mane Mushroom is associated with cognitive benefits, including improved concentration and memory.
- Anti-inflammatory effects: The antioxidant properties of chaga mushrooms can help reduce inflammation in the body.
- Increased Energy: The blend of caffeine from coffee and cordyceps mushrooms can help increase energy levels.
- Lower caffeine content: Mushroom coffee typically contains less caffeine than regular coffee, which can be beneficial for people sensitive to caffeine.
The taste of mushroom coffee
Mushroom coffee might sound like it has a strong, earthy flavor that’s quite different from regular coffee. However, most consumers report that mushroom coffee tastes very similar to regular coffee.
The mushrooms used in coffee undergo an extraction process and the resulting mushroom extract is blended seamlessly with the coffee, resulting in a smooth, nutty flavor profile with a barely noticeable earthy undertone.
Mushroom coffee vs. regular coffee
Although mushroom coffee is essentially coffee with added mushroom extracts, it differs from regular coffee in several ways.
First, mushroom coffee typically contains less caffeine than regular coffee due to the addition of mushroom extract. This may be beneficial for those who are sensitive to caffeine or want to reduce their caffeine intake.
In terms of health benefits, mushroom coffee may offer the benefits of coffee and medicinal mushrooms. Regular coffee is known for its antioxidant properties and potential benefits for heart health, cognitive function and more.
Mushroom coffee with the addition of medicinal mushrooms could provide additional benefits such as immune support, stress reduction, and cognitive improvement.
Side effects of mushroom coffee
Although mushroom coffee is generally considered safe, it can cause digestive problems in some people, especially those with a sensitivity to mushrooms.
Additionally, certain types of medicinal mushrooms, such as chaga, contain high levels of oxalates and may increase the risk of kidney stones in susceptible individuals.
Always consult a doctor before adding mushroom coffee to your diet, especially if you have existing health problems, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are taking certain medications.
Top Mushroom Coffee Brands
There are several brands offering mushroom coffee, each with its unique blend. Here are some popular options:
MUDWTR
MUDWTR is a coffee alternative that combines a blend of medicinal mushrooms, including chaga, reishi and lion’s mane, with other organic ingredients such as cacao and turmeric. It’s designed to provide a natural energy boost without the jitters of regular coffee.
Daily dose
Everyday Dose combines organic espresso with three medicinal mushrooms (Lion’s Mane, Reishi and Cordyceps) as well as collagen and oat milk. The result is a ready-to-mix latte designed to support immune system health, cognitive function and skin health.
Four Sigmatic
Four Sigmatic is perhaps the most well-known brand in the world of mushroom coffee. They offer a variety of mushroom coffee blends, each containing a different blend of medicinal mushrooms. These include options with Lion’s Mane and Chaga for focus, and another blend with Cordyceps and Chaga for energy.
Nootrum
Nootrum takes a slightly different approach with a blend of instant coffee, lion’s mane extract and chaga extract. It is a nootropic coffee that is said to improve cognitive functions.
Real mushrooms
Real Mushrooms offers a 5 Defenders Mushroom Coffee that combines organic, fair trade coffee with a blend of five medicinal mushrooms including reishi, chaga, turkey tail, shiitake and maitake. This mixture is said to support immune system health.
FAQs
Here we discuss some frequently asked questions about mushroom coffee.
What are the side effects of mushroom coffee?
Mushroom coffee is generally safe for most people, but it can cause digestive problems for some. It’s also important to note that chaga mushrooms have high oxalate levels, which could increase the risk of kidney stones in susceptible individuals.
Always consult a doctor before adding mushroom coffee to your diet.
What is the difference between mushroom coffee and regular coffee?
Although mushroom coffee is essentially coffee with added mushroom extracts, it differs from regular coffee in terms of its caffeine content and potential health benefits.
Mushroom coffee typically contains less caffeine and may provide additional benefits such as immune support, stress reduction, and cognitive improvement.
What does mushroom coffee taste like?
Despite what the name suggests, mushroom coffee tastes very similar to regular coffee. The mushroom extract blends seamlessly with the coffee to create a gentle, nutty flavor with a subtle earthy undertone.
Is mushroom coffee good for your liver?
While there is no definitive research on the effects of mushroom coffee on liver health, some studies suggest that certain medicinal mushrooms such as reishi and chaga may have liver-protecting properties. However, there is still a need for further research in this area.
Diploma
An intriguing blend of traditional coffee and medicinal mushrooms, mushroom coffee adds a potentially healthier twist to your morning cup of joe. Although it is linked to several health benefits, more research is needed to substantiate the claims.
As always, it is important to consult a doctor before adding any new foods or drinks to your diet, especially if you have existing health problems or are taking medications.
Whether you’re a coffee connoisseur or a health lover, mushroom coffee might be worth a try.
References:
- Valverde ME, Hernández-Pérez T, Paredes-López O. Edible mushrooms: improving human health and promoting quality of life. Int J Microbiol. 2015;2015:376387. doi: 10.1155/2015/376387. Epub January 20, 2015. PMID: 25685150; PMCID: PMC4320875.
