What to Look for When Buying Mushroom Coffee

Mushroom coffee on the market today can be overwhelming. The whole point of looking for a mushroom coffee is to help relieve stress, not add to it, right? Here are a few important factors to consider to help make the process a little easier:

• Caffeine Content: First things first, are you looking to cut down on, or eliminate, your caffeine intake in exchange for more natural energy? Or are you still wanting to enjoy your daily cup of joe, but with the added health benefits of adaptogens? There are many mushroom coffee brands, so tackling this step first will help to significantly narrow your options. Some of the bigger mushroom coffee brands offer a variety of caffeine levels, while others, like Velty, offer a decaf version.
• Coffee Quality: For optimal taste (especially for the coffee connoisseurs out there), the quality of coffee beans used is also an important factor. Check the company website or packaging to learn how they source and cultivate their coffee beans. From there, select a roast that suits your preference. If you don’t want to shelf your current coffee, no problem! Opt for a mushroom powder like  Superfood Coffee Boost, which can be added to your favorite coffee or espresso for an adaptogenic boost.
• Coffee Preparation: Just like with regular coffee, you can purchase ground or instant (or even coffee pods) depending on your preference and needs. Purchase ground coffee for use in a drip coffee maker, French press or pour-over, or grab an instant version for convenience when on the go (or if you don’t want to hog the office coffee maker with your mushroom brew).
• Mushroom Type and Quantity: Depending on your intended use, select a coffee that contains a mushroom variety that will work for you. Chaga, reishi, turkey tail, shiitake and maitake have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that aid in immune support. Lion’s mane has been shown to help with focus and memory and promote brain health. Cordyceps has been touted for its ability to provide natural and sustained energy. While the quantity of mushroom content per coffee appears to range from 500-2000 mg per serving, it’s important to select a coffee that utilizes the beneficial mushroom compounds from “fruiting bodies”, and not just the the mycelium (i.e., root).
• Ingredients: Before purchasing your mushroom brew, scan the ingredients to ensure there are no added fillers, unnecessary flavors or sweeteners. Some shroom brews may contain additional helpful ingredients, such as ashwagandha, prebiotics or healthy spices like turmeric or cinnamon. Lastly, if organic ingredients are important to you, look for a mushroom coffee that includes the USDA Organic Seal.

Of course, you’ll also want to take into consideration the price when choosing the best mushroom coffee. In doing so, pay close attention to the serving size to determine how far your mushroom brew will get you.

Why You Should Trust Us

As a culinary dietitian, I have nearly a decade of experience working with restaurants and food manufacturers to provide nutrient analysis and label consulting for thousands of menu items and retail goods. As a result, I am no stranger to scrutinizing an ingredient statement or nutrition facts label to ensure our recommendations are quality products from reputable brands. Plus, as a daily coffee drinker on the hunt for great taste and sustained energy without unwanted jitters or crashes, I can discern the best flavor profiles while also evaluating each mushroom coffee brand’s reported effects.

FAQ

Is mushroom coffee good for you?

Mushrooms have long been touted for their medicinal and nutritional benefits on brain health, immunity support and digestion. Whether we can reap these same benefits from the dried and extracted mushrooms contained in these coffee brands is still being researched. That being said, most mushroom coffees contain less caffeine, which can be a positive change to your daily routine. Caffeine, when consumed in high amounts or during unfavorable times of day, can increase cortisol (a hormone produced during times of stress), cause unwanted jitters or anxious feelings, and prevent you from getting decent sleep. Mushroom coffees, on the other hand, have been marketed for their ability to provide natural and sustained energy throughout the day without the crash.

While mushroom coffee can be enjoyed by many, those with difficulty digesting mushrooms should avoid it. Those with kidney issues or a history of kidney stones should consult with their doctor first (due to the oxalate content of some mushroom varieties).

Is mushroom coffee really beneficial?

Research on each mushroom type is still developing. Here are their reported health benefits:

• Lion’s Mane: One of the more common adaptogen extracts contained in mushroom coffee, lion’s mane has cognitive benefits, including improved focus, memory and mood.
• Chaga: This mushroom is rich in antioxidants (significantly greater than that of acai, pomegranate or blueberries) to help support immune function and overall well-being.
• Reishi: Contains health-promoting properties that provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.
• Cordyceps: As an adaptogen that helps relieve stress and fatigue, cordyceps improves energy, stamina and endurance.
• Turkey Tail: Similar to chaga and reishi, turkey tail supports immune function and overall health.
• Shiitake: Rich in B vitamins, minerals and fiber, shiitake mushrooms offer immune-boosting benefits.
• Maitake: Rich in beta-glucans, maitake has favorable effects on cholesterol and overall cardiovascular health.