* Please consult your primary care provider before starting any new supplement, to make sure they are right for you.
(Ad) Coffee drinker, meet mushroom coffee — a more natural, tastier and better alternative to regular coffee. Mushroom coffee is taking off around the world, and for good reason. Enthusiasts say it can help cool stress, increase energy levels and improve brain function.
Coffee is something many of us feel we need simply to function properly. When the sun creeps above the horizon, it’s coffee that greets us with a warm hug and the promise of energy and focus.
But coffee isn’t enough for everyone, and some people who rely on coffee endure anxiety or jitters because they feel they need caffeine for energy. There’s where mushroom coffee comes in — . But which one should you buy?
There are so many different brands of coffee on the market, it can be hard to choose the right product for you. So, we’re here to help. We’ve tried, tested and reviewed over 60 mushroom coffee products to help you find the perfect drink for you, but first…
What Is Mushroom Coffee?
Mushroom Coffee contains adaptogenic (also referred to as functional) mushrooms. These include mushrooms like Turkey Tail, Lions Mane, Maitake and Reishi.
Adaptogenic mushrooms have numerous potential benefits (which we’ll get to later) but some of the most interesting reported effects are witnessed when mixing mushroom powder with coffee.
The result of infusing mushrooms with coffee can be that you get the benefits of coffeee without the jitters, and it may also provide stress relief, along with a host of other benefits.
The Best Mushroom Coffees on the Market: First Look
- Brain Brands
- Four Sigmatic
- Om Shrooms
- MUD/WTR
- Ryze
- Wunderground
- Sun Alchemy Mushroom Coffee
Not every coffee product will contain all mushroom types; some feature one or two mushroom blends, while others offer a medley of adaptogenic mushrooms. Everything from flavors to texture to potential wellness benefits will depend on which company you choose.
Review: The Top Mushroom Coffee Brands
Why choose just one adaptogenic mushroom when you can have them all? Brain Brands has amassed a dedicated customer base built upon quality and trust. They are unique because they hand pick their beans, roast and blend them with organic functional mushrooms to perfection every week. This means that they only ship once a week — each customer is guaranteed a freshly roasted batch of mushroom coffee.
Where many companies focus on a few functional mushrooms, Brain Brands leverages 7 different types of adaptogenic mushrooms, promising a swath of potential health benefits.
Each cup of coffee gives you a bold flavor produced by premium coffee roasted in the Pacific Northwest. All products are made from plant-based ingredients and ethically sourced.
Brain Brands Seven Mushroom Blend Coffee combines the benefits of Lions Mane, Reishi, Chaga, Mitake, Cordyceps, Turkey Tail and Shitake.
The synergistic blend of functional mushrooms provides potential benefits for both body and mind; Reishi mushrooms have been reported to have calming effects, and cordyceps may have anti-fatigue properties. Chaga may provide anti-inflammatory benefits, while maitake, shiitake, and turkey tail may bolster your immune response. Lion’s Mane mushrooms may help with clarity and focus and can help you stay alert during the long hours of the day.
If you want to try mushrooms in another form, Brain Brands also offers capsules such as Cordecyeps, Lion’s Mane, Reishi, and more, as well as a seven mushroom complex.
Brain Brands mushroom coffee packs an adaptogenic punch with the most mushrooms per serving out of any coffee. A 12 oz bag includes 32 servings and sells for $34.95 (currently on $27.95) — that’s less than $0.88 a cup.
With more than 12,000 reviews and a 4.7 out of 5 star rating, Brain Brands resonates with consumers, and their record supports their claim to the title of best mushroom coffee this year.
Pros:
- Seven types of functional mushrooms
- Authentic medium roast flavor
- Just $0.88 per cup
- Great tasting coffee
- No mushroom taste
- Strongest dose per serving
- Body and mind effects
Cons:
- Fewer roasts than some competitors
#2. Four Sigmatic
If you have trouble picking and choosing products — you’re in for a challenge here. Four Sigmatic is a supermarket / grocery store brand. They mass produce and host the most extensive mushroom coffee catalog of any major company. The range of different mushrooms utilized in their products is broad, presenting an opportunity for customers to shop based on their specific wellness needs or desired flavors.
But of course, you cannot have great mushroom coffee without great beans, and that’s where Four Sigmatic shines. Unlike some competitors that use coffee substitutes, Four Sigmatic coffee is the genuine article and sold in beans, coffee pods, and instant coffee packs. And the variety doesn’t end there — shoppers can select dark or medium roast, decaf, and even a latte. Prices are mostly consumer-friendly, and 12-ounce coffee beans sell for just $20, an instant coffee retails for $15, and a 24 pod pack sells for $36.
Four Stigmatic’s service model empowers mushroom shoppers; you can find Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Reishi and Chaga-based coffees, many of which are bolstered by additional supplements like Ashwagandha, Eleuthero, L-Theanine and Vitamin D. There’s also a probiotic coffee blend. Four sigmatic coffees are marketed for Think, Defend and Chill — providing an easy guideline for new shoppers who aren’t familiar with the effects of adaptogens.
Four Sigmatic sources their Arabica coffee beans ethically from Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, Honduras, and several other locations. All products are organic, and the company has a 100% satisfaction guarantee. And for those of us who aren’t huge coffee drinkers, Four Sigmatic sells an adaptogenic creamer, protein powder, and cacao.
Pros:
- Multiple blends
- Quality Beans
- Reishi, Cordyceps, Chaga, and Lion’s Mane mushrooms
Cons:
- Some blends have a bitter flavor
- Pricey coffee pods
- Total mushroom quantity (Milligrams) isn’t given on the website
#3. Om Mushrooms
Om mushhrooms is about more than just mushroom coffee. This company produces a plethora of other mushroom products including capsules, powders, beverages, drink mixes and broths. The swatch of unique options means that customers of every sort can find a format to fit their lifestyle.
Trust is among the most important factors for adaptogen shoppers and Om Mushrooms certainly excels in building trust with their customers; the company was founded by a mycologist and a PhD in preventive medicine, and they grow their own mushrooms in an environmentally controlled facility in California. Purists will love knowing that their products are certified organic and kosher, and non-GMO.
The shopping experience caters to beginners and long-time users alike — products are categorized by benefits, species and format, although some categories are relatively sparse. Shoppers who are seeking this brand for its mushroom coffees will immediately notice the stark difference between Om Mushrooms and Four Sigmatic.
Om Mushrooms has just one type of mushroom coffee, but it’s packed with adaptogens: Cordyceps, Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Turkey Tail, and Ginkgo Biloba extract, totaling a heaping 2000 mg of mushroom extract per serving. The coffee formula is designed to promote mental clarity, focus, immune health, and energy. Simply mix the coffee with hot water and prepare it as you would with any cup of premium coffee.
The Om Mushrooms coffee is flavorful and made with 100% Arabica beans, priced reasonably with a 30 serving pack of instant coffee for $37.59.
Pros:
- 4 types of adaptogenic mushrooms
- Arabica beans
- Fair price
- Plenty of product types
Cons:
- Just one coffee blend
- No whole beans or pods
#4. MUD/WTR
This is not a coffee, but a coffee alternative. The name MUD/WTR stands out — that’s an understatement — but when your company is called MUD/WTR and is also one of the most popular mushroom coffee brands on the market, you know you’re doing something right. The brand name in this case is a reference to the look of this coffee substitute, and though its appearance might not wow shoppers, the taste and effects are top tier.
MUD/WTR isn’t coffee; rather, it’s a coffee alternative containing just 1/7th of the caffeine found in a standard coffee product. However, the addition of chaga, reishi, lion’s mane, and cordyceps provides an adaptogenic blend that may foster greater energy in customers who use it daily. For consumers who drink coffee but get jitters when drinking too much, MUD/WTR is the perfect alternative. These coffees also feature turmeric and antioxidants.
What’s novel about this brand is their nighttime product: yes, a coffee that’s caffeine-free and designed for sleep. MUD/WTR’s nighttime coffee substitute includes ashwagandha, reishi, turkey tail, valerian root and passionflower, designed to create a sense of calm and relaxation before bedtime.
MUD/WTR products are organic and sugar-free, and there's only 20 calories per serving. Costs are only slightly higher than OM Mushrooms, with a 30 serving pack selling for $40. While there’s much to love about this brand, coffee aficionados need to know the facts — these products don’t taste like coffee, so expect more of a Chai tea or chocolatey flavors with an earthy finish.
Pros:
- Nighttime and daytime blends
- Chaga, reishi, lion’s mane, and cordyceps
- Anti-oxidants
Cons:
- Pricey
- Earth taste
#5. Ryze
The Ryze brand makes a mushroom coffee that’s suitable for all; vegan, keto friendly, paleo friendly, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, sugar-free, and non-GMO. What’s not found in this product is arguably as impressive as what is included in the ingredients — Cordyceps, King Trumpet, Lion's Mane, Reishi, Shiitake, and Turkey Tail mushrooms.
Ryze mushroom coffee is all-organic. The company claims to do rigorous testing, but there are no verifiable results on their website; this is common with many mushroom coffee companies. Every serving contains 2000 mg of adaptogenic mushrooms and only 15 calories per cup.
Health fanatics will love the effects of this coffee. Ryze mushroom coffee is designed to promote energy and focus without any caffeine jitters and the adaptogenic blend may help consumers with stress response. There are some drawbacks with this brand, however; there’s no satisfaction guarantee like those you receive from competing mushroom coffee producers, and refunds are approved on a case-by-case basis.
Ryze values new customers and that’s why all first purchases include an acacia spoon and a gratitude journal. Best of all, this mushroom coffee brand offers great value, selling 30 serving instant coffee packs for $30, and providing free shipping on all orders.
Pros:
- 6 types of adaptogenic mushrooms
- Free shipping
- Suitable for most diets
Cons:
- Lacking information
- Only 1 coffee blend
#6. Wunderground Coffee
When it comes to mushroom coffee, there are two schools of thought. One is that mushroom coffee products simply need to boast a great adaptogenic blend to satisfy customers, who are really just interested in the adaptogenic benefits. The other view is that only through high-quality coffee can mushroom coffee drinkers truly receive satisfaction. Wunderground Coffee certainly views the industry through the eyes of coffee lovers.
Wunderground Coffee isn’t a coffee substitute — it's a coffee brand. These are real beans and there are actually blends with no adaptogenic mushrooms. Shoppers who are looking for adaptogenic mushrooms in flavorful mushroom coffees will adore the selection from Wunderground Coffee: whole beans, ground coffee, instant coffee packs, and teas, too.
Shoppers can count on high-quality, fair trade Arabica coffee beans. Products are marketed for specific effects, such as the Brainchild coffee bag that boasts 200 mg of Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps. Other blends feature reishi and chaga mushrooms designed for supporting immune-boosting functions, and there are sleep formulas and products meant to improve gut health.
Pricing is mostly in-line with the competition: 12 oz ground coffee bags retail for $22. Wunderground Coffee has a café in Seattle, and they sell a range of different items such as apparel, coffee mugs, and more.
Pros:
- 4 types of mushrooms
- Multiple coffee blends
- Arabica beans
Cons:
- Lower mgs per serving than other brands
- Some products are pricey
#7. Sun Alchemy Mushroom Coffee
Regular adaptogen shoppers who purchase mushroom coffee from Amazon are probably already acquainted with Sun Alchemy Mushroom Coffee. The pull here for consumers is the rock-bottom prices, because a 10 pack of instant coffee sells for as low as $10 in some online stores.
Sun Alchemy Mushroom Coffees are produced in two blends: Energize and Mental Focus. Shoppers who buy the mental focus package enjoy the potential effects of Lion's Mane, Reishi and Chaga. Energize contains Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Chaga and Cordyceps, a blent designed to provide a boost in energy as well as potentially delivering a boost in immune function.
All coffee blends from this company include MCT oil to aid with absorption, and these products are USDA certified organic. Those with dietary restrictions should take note that, these mushroom coffees are vegan, paleo, keto, dairy-free and gluten-free.
Sun Alchemy Mushroom Coffee is made by Terrasoul Superfoods; shoppers who visit their website can pick up a wide range of superfood products, baking ingredients, and antioxidant powders. Some shoppers won’t appreciate the lack of testing information.
Pros:
- 4 types of adaptogenic mushrooms
- 2 coffee blends
- Diet friendly
Cons:
- No testing information
- Frequently out of stock
What Are Adaptogenic Mushrooms?
Adaptogenic mushrooms — functional mushrooms — aren’t new. These fungi were featured in traditional medicines for thousands of years but it’s only in the last decade or so that mushroom supplements have caught on in North American wellness circles. There are multiple varieties of adaptogenic mushrooms, each offering a unique benefit to many consumers:
- Cordyceps: These popular functional mushrooms are one of the most commonly found fungi in mushroom coffee. Limited research studies have shown that cordyceps may reduce stress markers in the body and reduce fatigue, while supporting cardiac and respiratory health.
- Chaga: lauded for its immune-boosting effects and high antioxidant properties. Chaga may also provide energy and help keep hair healthy.
- Lion’s mane: The cognitive mushroom. Researchers believe that consuming Lion’s Mane mushrooms regularly may improve brain function, enhancing memory and possibly helping with recovery from nerve damage.
- Maitake: Many studies on maitake show that it may help to maintain healthy blood sugar levels and weight management with proper diet and exercise.
- Reishi: This powerful mushroom may be an immune-booser. It may also promoteenergy and offer anti-anxiety benefits, Shiitake: More than just a popular cooking ingredient — Shiitake mushrooms may support heart function and immune response.
- Turkey Tail: This mushroom may be an mmune-booster mushrooms and also function as a digestive aid.
Adaptogens are thought by many to be an important piece of our body’s stress response preparing our body for both physical and psychological stressors.
These unique mushrooms can potentially prep the body, instead of functioning as a treatment for symptoms — an important distinction because adaptogenic mushrooms, when taken over time, have the potential to significantly decrease anxiety, fatigue, and cognitive decline.
Beneficial Supplements to Combine with Adaptogenic Mushrooms
Adaptogens exist in plant species, herbs, and mushrooms. Like mushrooms, many of these other plants and herbs have a bitter or unpalatable taste, but by infusing these compounds into strong flavored products such as coffees, people can easily consume these potentially beneficial compounds.
Though not a complete representation of the various products available, these are some of the adaptogenic plants and herbs that are commonly added to the best mushroom coffees:
- Ashwagandha: This evergreen shrub grows in parts of Asia and Africa, and may have anti-inflammatory properties and help with stress response and immune function. Ashwagandha is incredibly bitter-tasting; however, you won’t notice it when mixed with a hot cup of coffee.
- Astragalus: A traditional Chinese herb used to treat symptoms of hay fever and which may function as an immune booster.
- Curcumin: Curcumin is an organic anti-inflammatory often included in supplements. While curcumin’s potential anti-inflammatory properties are established, this compound may also help with disease prevention.
- Eleuthero: Found in China, Japan, parts of Russia and in North and South Korea — Eleuthero is commonly featured in traditional medicine doctrines and used as an adaptogen. Many companies claim extensive health benefits from Eleuthero, but only some are supported by scientific research.
- L-theanine: L-theanine is an amino acid found in green and black tea. L-theanine may help with stress reduction, sleep, and anxiety.
- Tulsi: Tulsi is an adaptogen that may help with stress response, mental fatigue, and symptoms of anxiety and depression.
- Turmeric: This popular spice is a fixture in Indian cuisines, but Turmeric has some potential health benefits, too, and is traditionally used to treat infections, colds, wounds, and liver disease.
Buying Guide: How to Shop for Mushroom Coffee
With more brands emerging every day and countless new blends, consumers are finding it increasingly difficult to spot the best mushroom coffee brands. Some companies are incredibly transparent, and others reveal only the information they need to share in order to sell their products. When shopping for mushroom coffees, consider the following and weigh your choices accordingly.
- Source: You’ll want to ensure that the companies you buy from are sourcing their coffee beans ethically, and the more sources, the better. Many mushroom coffee brands get their beans from all over the world, allowing them to provide a plethora of flavors and strengths.
- Caffeine: Mushroom coffee substitutes are always lower in caffeine than regular coffee. In fact, even genuine mushroom coffee beans are at times lower in caffeine. Though adaptogenic mushrooms may make you feel more energetic, you might discover that these coffees don’t quite cut it when it comes to caffeination.
- Type of Mushrooms: All adaptogenic mushrooms have the potential to aid you in stress response — some can do much more. It’s important to purchase a coffee blend that includes the desired mix of adaptogens, especially if you’re buying for a specific purpose: cognition, immune system support, stress response, etc.
- Taste: Coffee lovers have high standards for flavors, and many mushroom coffees will fall well short of expectations; substitutes won’t satisfy these discerning coffee drinkers. If taste is your primary concern, stick to instant coffee and coffee grounds and avoid any alternative coffee products.
Frequently asked questions about mushroom coffee
What does mushroom coffee taste like?
Taste varies substantially from one mushroom coffee brand to the next. Companies that use high-quality coffee beans often feature a taste that’s indistinguishable from regular coffee. Mushroom coffee alternative products tend to have an earthy taste, and sometimes spicy or chocolatey aftertaste. Stronger dark roast mushroom coffee generally touts a more authentic coffee taste than a medium or light roast.
Is mushroom coffee healthy?
Many report that adaptogenic mushrooms have positive effects on their health and there’s typically no added sugar or additional ingredients that are cause for concern.
Is mushroom coffee actually good for you?
Adaptogens offer real world benefits to consumers. These products may help with cognition, stress response, and keep your immune system in tip-top shape. Medicinal mushrooms are relied on in many parts of the world and featured in traditional herbal medicines.
Does mushroom coffee have less caffeine than regular coffee?
Most mushroom coffees are lower in caffeine. The highest caffeine options are instant coffee, beans, and coffee grounds. Coffee substitutes are significantly lower in caffeine, and many have just 1/7 the caffeine of a regular coffee product.
Takeaway: The Best Mushroom Coffee
Coffee enthusiasts have a wealth of incredible mushroom coffees to try, with a flavor and a caffeine level for all customers.
There are plenty of quality brands, but what you’re seeking is the most authentic coffee product with a synergistic blend of adaptogenic mushrooms — Brain Brands offers the ideal balance of price, taste, and potential adaptogenic benefits.
*This article is provided by an advertiser. Statements made are not meant to offer medical advice nor to diagnose any condition. Any studies cited here may be preliminary, and may or may not be peer reviewed, and may or may not have sufficient participants to be statistically relevant. Anecdotal accounts should not be taken as scientific results. Products discussed in this article are not designed to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease. The FDA does not evaluate dietary supplements. Consult your doctor about possible interactions, allergies, and if you are considering using a natural and/or dietary supplements for any condition. Individual results will vary.