Mushroom coffee is regular coffee that has been combined with powerful medicinal mushrooms to boost the benefits to health and cognitive functioning that are already bestowed by plain coffee.
With mushrooms like cordyceps, lion’s mane, and chaga, mushroom coffee can improve your health, boost your mood, and increase your cognitive ability by interacting with the beneficial compounds already present in coffee.
Do you want an extra boost to your morning routine? Our research team has ranked the ten best mushroom coffee products you can get.
Research
Rankings
1. Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee Mix
Four Sigmatic is the originator of mushroom coffee, and their dark roast 12-ounce bag is still the best choice on the market for people who are serious about mushroom coffee.
This product is ideal if you want to swap in mushroom coffee into an already-established coffee routine, and can be made with any standard coffee maker.
You can even use it to make a cold brew if that’s what you prefer. It includes both lion’s mane and chaga mushrooms, which are both highly coveted for their health benefits. For regular coffee consumers, this is our top pick.
2. SOLLO Chaga Immunity
SOLLO Chaga Immunity is a K-cup style mushroom coffee that combines arabica coffee with chaga mushroom extract.
It’s a solid pick if you are specifically looking to take advantage of the benefits of chaga, and the 24-pack of K-cups makes it a good bulk option.
There are other choices if you want a more well-rounded mushroom coffee that’s K-cup compatible, but when it comes to the medicinal mushroom benefits, this one is the best.
3. Laird Superfood Mushroom Coffee
Pro surfer and wellness guru Laird Hamilton has an excellent line of health supplements and functional foods, and one of the best offerings is their mushroom coffee. Using organic coffee sourced from Peru, Laird Superfood adds chaga, cordyceps, and lion’s mane, powerful medicinal mushrooms that accelerate cognition and amp up your immune system.
4. La Republica Mushroom Coffee
La Republica is a Los Angeles-based specialty brand that makes a fantastic mushroom coffee combining no less than seven different medicinal mushrooms. If you want the broadest range of beneficial mushrooms in your coffee as possible, La Republica should be your choice.
5. Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee Instant Mix
Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee Instant Mix is another option from industry-leading Four Sigmatic, but this product is best-suited for making instant coffee on the go.
It contains a similar blend of lion’s Mane and chaga mushrooms, but also includes rhodiola and instant coffee powder. You can mix it into hot water for an instant cup of mushroom coffee.
The ease of use is unbeatable for traveling, or for keeping at your office. Heavy users will probably want to opt for a bulk option, but this is a strong pick for occasional users, or people who want to be able to make mushroom coffee easily and quickly.
6. Sayan Mushroom Coffee Blend
Sayan Mushroom Coffee Blend comes in instant coffee packets that use Colombian coffee in combination with reishi and chaga mushrooms for maximal health benefits.
They’re great for making a quick cup of mushroom coffee on the go, though the taste and texture is not quite as well-renowned as some of its competitors. Still, it’s a solid pick for an instant mushroom coffee.
7. GANOHERB Reishi Mushroom Coffee
GANOHERB Reishi Mushroom Coffee comes in instant-use packets that combine instant coffee with reishi (lingzi) mushrooms.
The blend includes both the spore and the extract, so it’s a very good option if you are specifically looking for a mushroom coffee that takes advantage of the benefits of reishi mushrooms.
However, since it lacks any other medicinal mushroom ingredients, those seeking a more well-balanced mushroom coffee may want to look elsewhere.
8. Super Organics Energy Boost Coffee
Super Organics Energy Boost Coffee is based on fair trade and organic coffee, and includes the extracts of cordyceps mushroom, several herbal supplements including maca root, and bacillus coagulans probiotics.
It’s a bit of a grab-bag of ingredients, but all of them have proven benefits for energy and mental performance. Both the cup and foil are recyclable, and while not everyone will like the broader range of ingredients, it has a dedicated core of supporters.
9. Naturealm Sacred 7 Mushroom Extract Powder
If you are determined to make your personal favorite brand of coffee into a mushroom coffee, Naturealm Sacred 7 Mushroom Extract Powder is the way to go.
The blend contains maitake, lion’s mane, cordyceps, reishi, shiitake, turkey tail, and chaga mushrooms, so it’s got a large variety of medicinal mushroom ingredients.
The downside is that, because you’ll be adding this powder after your coffee is brewed, it may not mix up quite as well as powders added to instant coffee, or used directly in the brewing process.
10. PureGano Ganoderma Coffee
PureGano Ganoderma Coffee uses instant coffee alongside ganoderma, a specific kind of extract from the reishi mushroom.
Though the quality and taste of the coffee is not as great as some other instant mushroom coffees, each box does come with 66 satchels, making it a decent bulk buy.
Category winners
Best mushroom coffee overall: Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee Mix
Four Sigmatic wins our overall top spot thanks to the simple but effective combination of chaga and lion’s mane, plus certified organic coffee grounds. For an energy boost in the morning that also helps with immune function and inflammation, you can’t go wrong with Four Sigmatic.
Best mushroom coffee for Keurig coffee makers: SOLLO Chaga Immunity
For instant, high-quality coffee, there’s no beating a Keurig machine. SOLLO is the best option for mushroom-infused coffee from a Keurig maker, thanks to the concentrated chaga extract combined with certified organic coffee grounds.
Best mushroom coffee for weight loss: La Republica Mushroom Coffee
Coffee is great for weight loss—thanks to its caffeine content, it acts both as an appetite suppressant and as a fat oxidizer. La Republica goes even further, adding seven different medicinal mushrooms for reduced inflammation and a rich taste that will leave you feeling full for longer.
Best mushroom coffee for cognitive function: Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee Mix
For better memory and improve cognition, Four Sigmatic is the way to go. Its combination of lion’s mane and chaga mushrooms will accelerate your thinking and improve your working memory, on top of the widely-known nootropic benefits of the caffeine in coffee.
Best mushroom coffee with chaga: Laird Superfood Coffee
Harnessing the powerful antioxidant and immunity-boosting effects of chaga mushrooms is easy with Laird Superfood Coffee, which includes chaga alongside cordyceps and lion’s mane mushrooms. On top of that, it’s certified organic and made of 100% arabica coffee, both great indicators of quality.
Best instant mushroom coffee: Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee Instant Mix
Need mushroom coffee in a hurry, and don’t have a Keurig machine? Four Sigmatic has your back with their instant coffee mix. With the same powerful medicinal mushrooms as their flagship ground coffee beans, this instant coffee delivers both lion’s mane and chaga for better immunity, less inflammation, and improved cognitive function.
How We Ranked
First, we looked at the type of mushrooms added to the coffee. Since different mushrooms provide different benefits, it’s important to us that a variety of mushroom extracts were included in coffee. Chaga is great for boosting antioxidant levels in the body as well as improving the immune system. Shitake mushrooms have been shown to exhibit anti-cancer benefits. Cordyceps has been shown to boost energy, blood flow, and help balance blood sugar in the body. Lione’s main excels in reducing brain fog.
To reap all the benefits, we preferred products that included a mix of all the mushrooms like Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee Mix and Naturealm Sacred 7. Other products, like Reishi Coffee 2 in 1, which included only mushroom type, still found their way onto our rankings because they kept the quality high.
Next, we looked at the caffeine content and serving size. Caffeine content is very important because it can cause a whole host of side effects in the body if taken in high doses. All the products on our list, like Naturealm and PureGano Ganoderma Coffee, contained the same amount of caffeine or less than a normal cup of coffee. You will still get the same energy-boosting benefits with less caffeine due to mushroom’s ability to improve your energy.
Third, we looked at additional ingredients. In general, we preferred products that were pure and simple and kept to just a natural coffee source and mushroom extracts. However, we did make an exception for Naturealm Mushroom Coffee Creamer because it used high-quality ingredients that complement the effects of coffee and mushroom extracts. These include high-quality coconut milk, which is high in MCT’s and other superfoods like natural cocoa powder.
Lastly, we looked at the delivery method. Mushroom coffee comes ground up in either K-cups, bags, containers, or instant powder. We preferred bags that contained pre-ground coffee as it was the purest. Instant powder, like Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee Instant Mix, was fine as long as the quality was kept high. K-cups, like Super Organics Energy Boost Coffee, were ranked lower due to their negative impact on the environment.
Benefits
Mushroom coffee that includes lion’s mane could help decrease feelings of depression and anxiety. Lion’s mane is a medicinal mushroom that’s been studied for a wide range of cognitive and mental health benefits, but some of the most promising evidence (and one of the reasons it is so popular as an ingredient in mushroom coffee) has to do with its ability to fight depression and anxiety.
One study conducted by researchers in Japan assigned a group of 30 women to either a placebo or a lion’s mane mushroom supplement for one month (2).
At the end of the study, the researchers compared feelings of depression and anxiety, and found that the lion’s mane group scored lower (i.e. better) on both the depression and anxiety inventories.
The precise mechanism by which lion’s mane might affect depression and anxiety is unknown, but it has also been researched as a treatment for neurological injuries. One study published in 2008 in the journal Phytotherapy Research examined the effects of lion’s mane on people with mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to dementia (3).
The researchers found that lion’s mane was an effective way to improve cognitive function on a battery of cognitive tests, compared to a placebo. Both of these findings suggest that lion’s mane could assist with restoring the brain to a healthy state, justifying its inclusion in mushroom coffee.
Mushroom coffee with chaga could enhance the function of your immune system. Chaga is a highly sought-after medicinal mushroom for its wide-ranging health benefits, which include increasing the potency of your immune system.
One study that’s particularly relevant for the use of mushroom coffee with chaga specifically looked at the components of chaga that can be extracted with hot water (4).
This study was published in the journal Mycobiology in 2018 and used mice fed either plain water or water with a chaga mushroom extract to study the effects of chaga’s water-soluble contents on immune system function.
After observing the mice for 24 days, the researchers found that the mice who had been consuming the chaga enhanced solution had increased levels of a number of biomarkers of immune system function, including interleukin-6, a commonly used proxy for immune system function.
Cordyceps mushroom can help control blood sugar. One of the metabolic benefits of coffee is that it shifts your metabolism towards oxidizing fat, which is why compounds like green coffee bean extract and coffee itself are popular weight loss supplements.
Adding cordyceps mushroom to coffee could enhance its beneficial metabolic properties thanks to the ability of cordyceps to help control blood sugar. This medicinal mushroom has been researched as a potential treatment for type two diabetes and metabolic syndrome, which are both characterized by insulin insensitivity and high blood sugar.
One study published in 2006 by a team of researchers at the China Agricultural University analyzed the effects of cordyceps mushroom on diabetic rats over the course of a five-day experiment (5).
The researchers were able to show that adding a cordyceps mushroom to the bloodstream of the diabetic rats resulted in a significant decrease in blood sugar compared to a placebo injection. Moreover, the researchers showed that the effects were dose-dependent: more cordyceps mushroom led to a greater decrease in blood sugar.
Shiitake and cordyceps mushrooms can improve circulation. Cordyceps can boost the function of the cardiovascular system by dilating the aorta which improves blood flow throughout the body (6).
Shiitake mushrooms contain phytonutrients, molecules that are useful in preventing plaque formation in arteries which allows the body to circulate blood more easily (7).
Side effects
Though medicinal mushrooms included as a part of mushroom coffee can have some powerful beneficial biological effects, there have been rare cases of serious adverse effects with medicinal mushroom supplements.
Reishi mushrooms, for example, have been linked to fatal hepatitis, but only in a tiny number of patients (5). Thousands or perhaps millions of people take reishi mushroom every year in China without issue, so some researchers have speculated that these rare cases of serious side effects might be caused by an interaction with prescription medications.
As with any potent supplement, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor first if you take prescription medication. Coffee, of course, has a well-known side effect profile, which can include jitters, irritability, and nausea if it is taken in high doses.
Recommended dose
Mushroom coffee has not been studied directly in controlled scientific studies, so optimal dosages for coffee in combination with medicinal mushrooms have not been established.
We can, however, turn to the known doses of medicinal mushrooms and coffee, separately, that are known to be effective. The caffeine content in a cup of coffee varies somewhat, but between 1 and 2 cups of coffee contains sufficient caffeine to boost cognitive function significantly.
Medicinal mushrooms like cordyceps and lion’s mane have been studied at effective doses ranging from 200 to 2000 mg, though in most cases, you’ll have to trust that the nutritionists at the mushroom coffee companies have selected an effective dose.
FAQ
Q: What is mushroom coffee?
A: Mushroom coffee combines regular coffee with powder medicinal mushrooms. It does not tend to have a mushroomy taste despite using mushroom extract.
Q: Is mushroom coffee healthy?
A: Yes, mushroom coffee is healthy. Medicinal mushrooms have been shown to improve your energy, focus, immune system, and blood flow among other benefits. Coffee also has a host of benefits so combining both of them in the proper doses creates 1-2 punch.
Q: Does mushroom coffee have coffee in it?
A: Yes, mushroom coffee has coffee in it. However it tends to be significantly less than a normal cup of coffee (about half). However, be sure to check the label for accurate dosing cause some mushroom coffee’s might be different.
Q: Is mushroom coffee caffeine free?
A: There is no caffeine in the mushrooms themselves, however mushroom coffee does contain caffeine from coffee beans.
Q: How is mushroom coffee made?
A: To make mushroom coffee you first must liquefy and then dry different types of mushrooms to make an extract. Once the powder is dry, it is combined with ground coffee.
Q: Why is mushroom coffee good for you?
A: Medicinal mushrooms offer a variety of benefits. Chaga is great for boosting antioxidant levels in the body as well as improving the immune system. Shiitake mushrooms have been shown to exhibit anti-cancer benefits.
Cordyceps has been shown to boost energy, blood flow and help balance blood sugar in the body. Lione’s main excels in reducing brain fog. Coffee has been linked to focus, energy, and overall wellness, and they’re overflowing with antioxidant properties that may support your immune system.
Q: Is Lion’s Mane a blood thinner?
A: Lion’s mane appear to benefit the heart and blood vessels in animal studies, but human studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Q: Why is chaga good for you?
A: Chaga extract may fight cancer and improve immunity, chronic inflammation, blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Still, human studies are needed to confirm these benefits and to determine its safety, side effects and optimal dosage.
Q: Does lion’s mane keep you awake?
A: No, it doesn’t have any reported side effects in regards to keeping you awake. However, it should be noted that lion’s mane is generally recognized for clearing brain fog and improving focus, which can cause insomnia-like issues.
Q: What does mushroom coffee taste like?
A: Mushroom coffee is a combination of a smooth and bold coffee flavor and an earthy mushroom flavor.
Q: Can you take reishi before bed?
A: Yes, reishi can be consumed before bed. When taken in small, continuous doses, reishi has been shown to support the body’s sleep cycles as well as support occasional stress.
Q: Does mushroom coffee make you trip?
A: No, these mushrooms do not contain any chemicals that would make you trip or get high.
Q: Is coffee good for immune system?
A: Contrary to popular belief, too much caffeine can decrease the ability of our immune system to fight infections as well as remove damaged or abnormal cells. This is because caffeine increases the stress response in the body.
Q: What is the point of mushroom coffee?
A: Mushroom coffee combines regular coffee with powder medicinal mushrooms. It does not tend to have a mushroomy taste despite using mushroom extract. It is engineered to provide the benefits of both coffee and mushroom extract in one beverage.
Q: Is mushroom coffee good for your memory?
A: Yes, studies show that coffee may boost long-term memory (8).
Q: Are fresh mushrooms better?
A: In terms of mushroom coffee, it is unknown whether fresh mushrooms are better or not. Most recent studies with medicinal mushrooms use powdered forms of the mushrooms.
This allows researchers to more easily control the dose and ensure that every patient is getting the same amount of mushrooms. That means that there is little research that shows whether fresh mushrooms are better than powdered versions.
Q: How many types of mushroom are there?
A: Currently, there are over 10,000 known types of mushrooms, that fall into 4 main categories: saprotrophic, mycorrhizal, parasitic, and endophytic. That may seem like a large number, but mycologists suspect that this is only a fraction of what’s out there.
Q: Can pregnant women take medicinal mushrooms?
A: Though mushroom consumption is considered safe in most cases, there are multiple unknown risks due to the lack of scientific research or study. In general, consuming medicinal mushrooms or extract is not recommended during pregnancy. It is highly recommended that you consult a trained physician, if you choose to try mushroom supplementation during pregnancy.
Q: Is espresso stronger than mushroom coffee?
A: One 2 oz double espresso shot has about 80 milligrams of caffeine, whereas a 12 oz brewed mushroom coffee has anywhere between 60-120 milligrams. So it really depends on the espresso source an amount and type of coffee.
Q: What is beta glucan?
A: Oyster and shiitake mushrooms are believed to have the most effective beta glucans. Beta glucan is a form of soluble dietary fiber that’s been strongly linked to improving cholesterol and boosting heart health. It can also help your body regulate high cholesterol, blood sugar, cancer, HIV/AIDS and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Q: Can mushroom coffee reduce depression?
A: A 2016 study showed that caffeine may have protective effects against mental illnesses, particularly depression (9). Since mushroom extracts also protect against depression it can be safely said that mushroom coffee may aid in the fight against depression.
Q: Is beta glucan good for diabetes?
A: Beta-glucans are potentially beneficial in the treatment of diabetes and associated cardiovascular risks. Studies have shown that beta-glucans could reduce hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension.
Q: Can mushroom coffee increase your metabolism?
A: Certain mushroom extracts, like cordyceps can increase blood flow and energy and possibly your metabolism. A 2007 study found that caffeine increased energy expenditure in the subjects in the study by almost 5% (10).
Q: Do caffeine pills last as long as coffee?
A: Yes, caffeine pills and coffee both last about the same time in the body. It takes an hour or so for a caffeine pill to achieve maximum effect, and by five or six hours, the effective dosage has dropped in half.
Q: Do I need to cycle mushroom coffee?
A: There is no science behind cycling, other than it lowers your tolerance.
Q: Can mushroom coffee improve exercise performance?
A: A 2013 study showed that coffee improved performance in power compared to a non-caffeinated group (11).
Q: Can medicinal mushrooms help with weight loss?
A: Yes, medicinal mushrooms can help with weight loss depending on the type of mushroom. Specifically, reishi mushrooms have been shown to promote weight loss when consumed regularly.
Q: Can breastfeeding women take medicinal mushroom supplements?
A: Unfortunately, medicinal mushroom consumption is not recommended for women that are breastfeeding due to the lack of studies. It’s recommended that you consult doctor before consuming any mushroom products if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Q: Could medicinal mushroom supplements lead to liver toxicity?
A: Yes, there is a possibility that consistent consumption of medicinal mushrooms, specifically reishi, can lead to liver toxicity. Persons with existing liver issues should avoid mushroom supplements like mushroom coffee until more studies are done to ensure safety.
Q: What do caffeine jitters feel like?
A: Caffeine jitters feel like a continuous, overstimulation of energy in the body. It tends to make people anxious, uncomfortable and very hard to concentrate.
Q: Does mushroom coffee cause side effects?
A: Like any supplement, mushroom coffee is not without potential side effects. Mushroom coffee can cause IBS like symptoms such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea. It can also cause jitteriness, insomnia, and nausea due to the caffeine content.
In some people, reishi has been linked with fatal hepatitis. However, since millions of people consume reishi annually, and have been for centuries, experts believe these to be isolated cases and not considered common side effects.
Q: Does mushroom coffee interact with drugs?
A: Yes, mushroom coffee can interact with various drugs and prescription medications. It is best to talk with your doctor before starting any supplement regimen, but especially mushroom coffee supplements.
Related Articles
Recap
Mushroom coffee combines the nootropic and health benefits of coffee with the power of medicinal mushrooms like cordyceps, lion’s mane, reishi, and chaga.
Some of these mushrooms, like lion’s mane, could help with feelings of depression and anxiety, plus help improve cognitive function.
Others, like chaga, might help increase the function of your immune system, and cordyceps can help control blood sugar.
The wide range of health benefits associated with these medicinal mushrooms, plus the well-known benefits of coffee, make mushroom coffee an easy way to capitalize on both as a part of your normal morning routine.
For BodyNutrition’s #1 mushroom coffee recommendation, click here.
