For those wondering “What is mushroom coffee?” it’s easy to envision tossing the mushrooms you pick up from supermarket into your morning cup of coffee—and then scratching your head at the combination.
Rest assured, mushroom coffee doesn’t actually taste like mushrooms, nor does it use conventional grocery store ingredients. If you’re a regular on WellnessTok, you likely already know that it’s the latest buzzy drink touted to enrich your morning routine.
To help explain mushroom coffee and its host of potential benefits, we asked nutrition experts and a naturopathic doctor to break it down.
What is mushroom coffee?
According to Laila Ouldibbat, MS, RD, CNSC, a certified dietitian-nutritionist, mushroom coffee combines caffeine with medicinal mushrooms such as lion’s mane, chaga, and reishi to add a dose of wellness benefits to your morning cup. “[The mushrooms] provide potential benefits such as immune support, cognitive function, and anti-inflammatory properties,” says Ouldibbat.
Most mushrooms coffees are instant-coffee formulas that you mix with hot water. Some are even flavored with coffee-drink staples like vanilla, hazelnut, and cacao.
Does mushroom coffee taste like mushrooms?
No! According to Thara Vayali, ND, a naturopathic doctor and chief medical officer of women’s wellness brand Hey Freya, the formula is a blend of ground coffee and mushroom powder. Only the ground coffee and added flavors will come through. That being said, the coffee in mushroom coffee is not as potent as the regular coffee you’re used to.
“The flavor profile of mushroom coffee is generally described as a blend of the familiar bitterness of coffee and earthy, nutty undertones from the mushrooms used,” says Dr. Vayali. “While it retains the essence of regular coffee, the taste can vary significantly based on the quality of the ingredients and the specific mushroom blends used. Generally, the flavor is earthy.”
What are the benefits of mushroom coffee?
Less caffeine
If you’re trying to quit caffeine or consume less of it, this one is for you. “[Mushroom coffee] contains about half the caffeine of regular coffee, potentially leading to less jitteriness and improved sleep quality,” says Vayali.
“Compounds like polysaccharides and antioxidants in mushrooms may support sustained energy and cognitive function without the jitteriness or crashes associated with high caffeine intake,” adds Ouldibatt.
Managing stress
According to Hannah Brooke Derrickson, an integrative health coach and functional diagnostic nutrition practitioner, mushroom coffee won’t give you the same spike in cortisol (a hormone triggered by stress) you can experience from regular caffeine. Instead, mushroom coffee aims to sustain your energy, and therefore may also improve your mood.
“Certain mushrooms, like reishi, have adaptogenic properties, meaning they may help regulate the body’s stress response,” adds Ouldibbat.
Body function support
Some mushrooms can support body functions like metabolism, gut health, and blood sugar regulation. Despite the mushroom-coffee weight-loss chatter on TikTok, Ouldibbat clarifies that the drink should not be used for this purpose, since there is no research to support claims: “[Mushroom coffee] can be beneficial for overall weight management when combined with a healthy diet and lifestyle.”
