What Is The Best Mushroom Coffee
Mushroom coffee is an increasingly popular drink made by blending regular coffee with powdered medicinal mushrooms or mushroom extracts. These mushrooms contain compounds called adaptogens that can provide health benefits beyond a normal cup of coffee. As the mushroom coffee trend grows, more brands are appearing on the market with different ingredients and health claims. But with so many options, how do you know which one is the best?
When evaluating mushroom coffees, there are a few key factors to consider regarding their quality and potential benefits. These include the caffeine content, the types and measured quantities of mushrooms used, additional superfood or herbal ingredients and whether the product is certified organic or third-party tested. Reputable mushroom coffee brands will provide transparency regarding their sourcing, processing methods and lab testing procedures.
In this guide, we will explore some of the top mushroom coffee products available based on their ingredients, health advantages, taste and value. We’ll compare our hands-on experiences with these mushroom coffees to help determine which one delivers the most impressive balance of flavor and functionality. Read on for the details!
What to Look for in Mushroom Coffee
If you’re new to mushroom coffees, it’s helpful to understand the most important attributes that contribute to a high-quality blend with legitimate health perks:
Caffeine Content: Mushroom coffee caffeine can range from very low to about the same as a regular cup of coffee. Check the label if you want to limit or boost caffeine intake.
Mushroom Types and Quantities: Certain mushrooms like lion’s mane, chaga and reishi offer specific cognitive and immune benefits. Quality mushroom coffees will list the mushroom species and standardize the amounts.
Additional Ingredients: Some mushroom coffee blends add herbs, spices, collagen, probiotics, etc. These can provide further health advantages but read labels to avoid unwanted additives.
Organic Certification: Opting for USDA certified organic mushroom coffees ensures the ingredients meet purity standards and are not irradiated or genetically modified.
Third Party Testing: Rigorous independent lab testing checks for contaminants and verifies ingredient quality for reliability and safety.
Review of Top Mushroom Coffee Brands
Now let’s explore some top contenders for the best mushroom coffee currently available:
Lifeboost Cognition Mushroom Ground Coffee
Lifeboost Coffee, a leader in low-acid coffee, recently launched an innovative mushroom coffee dubbed "Cognition." True to their specialty, Cognition is the only mushroom coffee on the market catering to acid-sensitive stomachs.
Organic and Fair Trade
Lifeboost's Cognition mushroom coffee carries both USDA Organic and Fair-Trade certifications, meaning it is grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers. The coffee beans also come from farms that uphold ethical labor and environmental standards.
Cognitive Benefits
Each serving contains concentrated lion's mane and chaga mushroom extracts, renowned for enhancing focus, memory, concentration and nerve health. These mushrooms deliver robust cognitive support to start your day.
Pricing
A 12 oz bag of Cognition mushroom coffee costs $26.36 for a one-time purchase. Subscribing to regular deliveries drops the per-bag price to $21.11.
Standout Quality: Low-Acid
As a gut-friendly coffee alternative free of harsh acids, Cognition uniquely caters to those with sensitive digestive systems. You can finally enjoy mushroom coffee benefits without the brew-related bellyaches.
MUD/WTR
MUD/WTR offers a unique functional mushroom drink bursting with spices, superfoods and less caffeine than coffee. Their adaptogen-based powders craft nourishing beverages reminiscent of masala chai.
Rich In Adaptogens, Low In Caffeine
With a third of the caffeine found in coffee, MUD/WTR provides L-theanine for sustained energy sans jitters or crashes. Each serving brims with over 2,000mg of immuno-protective mushrooms like chaga, cordyceps and reishi.
Taste Profile
Expect a smooth, creamy mouthfeel with hints of cinnamon, turmeric, ginger and cocoa. The flavors impart anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. MUD/WTR resembles a cozy, comforting mug of spiced tea more than traditional coffee.
Pricing
A 1.95 oz jar of MUD/WTR containing roughly 30 servings retails for $50. The cost equates to $1.67 per hearty cup.
Standout Quality: Nourishing Superfood Blend
With a medley of organic spices and adaptogens, MUD/WTR offers a truly medicinal mushroom drink. Their powders craft beverages brimming with immune and cognitive support minus excess caffeine.
Four Sigmatic Think Organic Coffee
A leader in the mushroom coffee space, Four Sigmatic's Think blend mirrors the taste of regular coffee while incorporating two powerful fungi for enhanced effects.
Variety Of Offerings
Four Sigmatic provides extensive options spanning ground, whole bean, instant coffee packets and K-cups with variable caffeine levels. Their products also feature several single mushroom varieties and extract combinations.
Featured Mushrooms
The Think coffee incorporates 500mg lion's mane, shown to sharpen mental clarity and focus and chaga, a robust immune modulator. These organic mushrooms complement the full-bodied coffee flavor.
Pricing
On Amazon, a 12 oz bag of Four Sigmatic Think currently sells for $17. Bulk and subscription orders come with additional savings.
Standout Quality: Most Similar To Regular Coffee
Of all mushroom coffee blends, Four Sigmatic's tastes most akin to a classic dark roast java. Yet the incorporated medicinal mushrooms provide cognitive enhancements and immune support atop a comforting cup of joe.
Ryze Mushroom Coffee
Catering to the keto crowd, Ryze Mushroom Coffee incorporates MCT oil and a blend of six mushrooms to craft a creamy, low-carb functional brew.
Keto-Friendly Ingredients
Alongside a balanced mushroom mixture, each scoop provides coconut milk powder for healthy fats and 1050mg MCT oil to support ketone production and sustain energy.
Six Adaptogenic Mushrooms
Ryze contains 500mg of a mushroom blend, including focus and memory-boosting lion’s mane, energizing cordyceps, immune-modulating turkey tail and reishi and mineral-rich shiitake mushrooms.
Pricing
On Amazon, a 6.4 oz tub of Ryze mushroom coffee is marked down to $17.50. Each jar provides 30 servings, breaking down to 58 cents per rich, satisfying cup.
Standout Quality: Ideal For Keto Diets
With MCT fats from coconut milk and zero added sugars, Ryze offers the perfect keto-friendly, functional mushroom brew. The blend of six mushrooms also provides far-reaching health benefits.
Laird Superfood Mushroom Coffee
Laird Superfood specializes in creating coffee and supplement blends boosted with various health-enhancing superfoods. Their mushroom coffees integrate several adaptogenic fungi alongside complementary plants and algae.
Superfood Additions
In addition to four mushrooms, Laird’s coffee blends contain immune-supporting coconut milk powder, energizing Rhodiola root and magnesium-rich Aquamin sea minerals.
Unique Flavors And Varieties
Flavors like vanilla and cocoa lend a touch of sweetness while functional options including collagen and Lion's Mane cater to specific wellness goals. They offer instant packets for on-the-go convenience.
Pricing
Laird Superfood mushroom coffee ranges from $15 for a 4 oz bag up to $30 for a 10 oz bag. Subscription plans offer up to 20% savings.
Standout Quality: Broad Spectrum Of Superfoods
Laird uniquely incorporates an array of functional superfoods into their coffees for comprehensive, full-body benefits. Added coconut milk powder also lends a smooth, creamy mouthfeel.
Pella Mushroom Coffee Blend
Providing a robust mushroom profile without overpowering the coffee, Pella Mushroom Coffee Blend incorporates seven adaptogenic varieties for full-spectrum support.
Seven Mushrooms
Each cup of Pella provides a mixture of cognition and nerve-protecting lion’s mane, energizing cordyceps, destressing reishi and chaga, immune-lifting turkey tail, mineral-rich shiitake and heart health-promoting maitake mushrooms.
Flavor Options
Enjoy classic medium roast notes or go bold with the dark roast profile. Salted caramel and chocolate cookie flavors infuse a touch of sweetness while maintaining bitterness.
Pricing
On Amazon, an 8 oz bag costs $19.99. Bulk orders come discounted to around $15 per bag.
Standout Quality: Diverse, All-Encompassing Mushroom Blend
With seven mushroom varieties in each cup, Pella Mushroom Coffee provides broad adaptogenic coverage to uplift your focus, physical performance, immunity and overall wellness.
How to Incorporate Mushroom Coffee
Transitioning from traditional coffee to mushroom coffee is easily done when you select a brand that retains the familiar flavor of coffee while subtly enhancing wellness in the background.
To make the most of potential benefits, enjoy your morning mushroom coffee daily. The consistency allows time for the mushrooms’ protective mechanisms to build while fueling focus for peak productivity.
For those who find straight black coffee too intense, try blending mushroom coffee powders into smoothies, lattes or treats like energy bites. The coffee still provides alertness while mushrooms lend a boost of antioxidants and adaptogens.
Adding a non-dairy creamer, nut milk, cacao powder or spices like cinnamon allows you to craft a mushroom coffee beverage aligned with your preferences. Sweeten minimally with monk fruit or stevia to keep sugar content low.
Conclusion
Among the mushroom coffee products compared, Lifeboost Cognition stands out as the premium choice based on its high-quality organic coffee and mushroom extracts, cognitive and immune advantages and exceptionally smooth flavor. With rigorous purity testing and outstanding customer satisfaction, Lifeboost demonstrates an unparalleled commitment to perfecting the mushroom coffee concept.
For tea drinkers or those seeking a stronger mushroom delivery vehicle, MUD/WTR makes for an excellent substitute with high mushroom concentrations and a comforting masala chai flavor experience. Four Sigmatic Think Coffee presents another solid contender for infusing daily coffee rituals with added mental clarity and antioxidant activity via lion’s mane and chaga mushrooms.
As the functional mushroom market expands exponentially, we expect more refined innovations in mushroom coffee formulations and health targeting. Mushroom coffee holds promise as a tasteful, convenient way of accessing mushrooms’ neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the benefits of drinking mushroom coffee?
Specific benefits vary based on the type and number of mushrooms used but research shows compounds like adaptogens, beta-glucans, antioxidants and anti-inflammatories in certain mushrooms can enhance focus, memory, stress resilience, immunity, inflammation regulation and antioxidant activity when consumed regularly.
Does mushroom coffee taste like mushrooms?
Quality mushroom coffee blends contain subtle hints of mushrooms’ earthy essence but retain a pleasant flavor similar to regular coffee. The best mushroom coffee brands mask any strong mushroom taste within the coffee’s natural aroma.
Is it safe to drink mushroom coffee daily?
For most healthy adults, daily mushroom coffee consumption should be safe following suggested serving guidelines. As with any new supplement, consult your doctor first if taking medications or if pregnant, nursing or currently managing a medical condition.
Can I drink mushroom coffee on keto or paleo diets?
Yes, mushroom coffees made from mushrooms blended with coffee beans or coconut milk powders can suit low carb, high fat diets like keto. Verify the brand you choose fits your diet’s guidelines for ingredients and carb count.
How much caffeine is in a serving of mushroom coffee?
Caffeine content can range quite a bit among mushroom coffee products, from very little up to about 95mg per cup which is average for a normal cup of coffee. Check labels for exact caffeine levels if limiting intake.
Do I need to grind whole bean mushroom coffee?
If opting for a whole bean mushroom coffee product, yes - you'll need to grind the beans just before brewing to release the oils and flavor. Investing in a good quality coffee grinder makes this easy. Pre-ground mushroom coffees skip this step.
What’s the difference between the mycelium and fruiting body of a mushroom?
Mycelium refers to the vegetative structure of fungus consisting of fine, threadlike filaments. The fruiting body is the visible reproductive structure (the mushroom cap). Quality mushroom coffee utilizes concentrated extracts from the fruiting bodies which contain more active compounds.