dried mushrooms, coffee beans, and a steaming cup

Mushroom Coffee

By:
Nan Fornal
This content originally appeared on 

For those who want more than a jolt of caffeine in their coffee, the trending beverage known as mushroom coffee offers more than just a wake-up. The medicinal mushroom extracts it contains boast many potential health benefits.

Inform your healthcare provider when adding mushroom extracts to your daily regimen.

Mushroom Coffee FAQ

Does Mushroom Coffee Have Caffeine?

Powdered mushroom extracts are mixed half and half with ground or instant coffee, so the brew contains more caffeine than traditional decaf but less than regular coffee.

What Does Mushroom Coffee Taste Like?

No need to worry about flavor: mushroom coffee tastes like coffee, not mushroom soup. 

Some mushroom coffees also contain flavorings (think chai, cocoa).

Is Mushroom Coffee Nutritious?

Many brands boast nutritional blends, with gut-supportive prebiotics and probiotics; stress-fighting adaptogens such as ashwagandha; herbs; or vitamins and minerals.

Research has focused mainly on the health benefits of individual mushroom extracts, which range from lowering blood sugar and cholesterol to supporting patients undergoing cancer treatments.

Note that because few of the findings to date are based on human clinical trials, we refer to potential rather than known health effects.

Sources

“5 immune-boosting benefits of turkey tail mushroom” by J. Kubala, www.Healthline.com, 11/6/18

“9 health benefits of lion’s mane mushrooms . . . ” by E. Julson, www.Healthline.com, 5/19/18

“Is mushroom coffee worth the hype? An expert’s take” by A.C. Alexis, www.Healthline.com, 5/12/21

“Best mushroom coffee and drinks of 2022, according to a dietitian” by SaVanna Shoemaker, www.WellnessVerge.com, 9/13/22

“Cordycepin for health and wellbeing . . .” by S.A. Ashraf et al., Molecules, 6/12/20

“Effect of Inonotus obliquus polysaccharides on physical fatigue . . .” by Z. Xiuhong et al., Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 8/15

“Food of the gods” by Victoria Dolby-Toews, www.tasteforlife.com

“Reishi mushrooms for immunity” by Roy Upton, www.tasteforlife.com

“Immunomodulatory effects of Hericium erinaceus derived polysaccharides are mediated by intestinal immunology” by X. Sheng et al., Food & Function, 3/22/17

“Inonotus obliquus—from folk medicine to clinical use” by K.A. Szychowski et al., Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 8/22/20