The 5 Best Mushroom Coffee Brands, Researched and Tested by a Dietitian

Many of us—myself included—rely on a cup of joe for our get-up-and-go, but what if that same morning ritual could improve your concentration, fight belly bloat, and leave you feeling a little less stressed? At least, that’s what the savvy marketing behind the recent mushroom coffee craze would have you believe. (I will dig into the science behind those claims later on, by the way.)

Mushroom coffee is a blend of coffee (in some cases, tea) and ground mushrooms or mushroom extracts. These added medicinal mushrooms (think lion’s mane, chaga, reishi and turkey tail) carry the touted health benefits. Some products feature just one type of mushroom, while others include a blend.

I decided to see what the buzz was about by testing out some of the most popular mushroom coffee brands for a few weeks. I considered each coffee’s nutritional profile and ingredients while also factoring in taste, of course. All of my top picks undergo third-party testing. A good mushroom coffee should have limited (if any) added sugars and shouldn’t leave you feeling jittery. Bonus points are given if it lists the amount of mushroom you’re getting per serving. Read on for my top mushroom coffee picks.

PHOTO: Amazon

What we like: It brews like coffee, so there’s no powders to mix or grainy texture.

What to know: Its caffeine levels are similar to a cup of regular coffee (the exact amount isn’t listed), so not a great option if you’re looking for a low-caffeine coffee alternative.

This one pleasantly surprised me during testing. All of the other mushroom coffees required me to mix powders or steep loose tea, but the Four Sigmatic Think mushroom coffee is brewed, creating a smooth, rich drink that looks, smells and tastes just like coffee. It’s near impossible to tell the difference between a cup of this mushroom coffee and a cup of medium roast. (Four Sigmatic’s Think is supposed to be a dark roast, but I found it to be milder.)

The packaging says its caffeine level is “regular caf,” but the company has an instant version that’s half-caf (50 milligrams). I like that it’s organic and contains just coffee with a mix of lion’s mane and chaga extracts. I didn’t notice a difference in energy levels or focus compared to drinking regular coffee, but Four Sigmatic’s site says you can expect to see results in as few as seven days, so perhaps more time would have produced those results.

Available Size(s): 12 ounces and 9.4 ounces (24 K-cup pods) | Serving size: 4 tablespoons | Certifications: Organic | Other flavors and varieties: Ground, coarse grind, whole bean, instant, and K-cups; decaf, half-caf, regular, and high-caf

PHOTO: MUD/WTR

What we like: The cacao-chai combo doesn’t disappoint.

What to know: It’s more of a tea than coffee, so if tea isn’t your jam, this might not be for you.

While MUD/WTR mushroom coffee is not really a coffee, this chocolatey chai-like drink is a real treat. Sweet and spicy, it’s similar to regular chai, although the texture is a little thicker. There’s not a hint of mushrooms in the flavor. The powder is super fine—it looks like ground cinnamon—and the mix of spices is so fragrant that you could smell them through the individual packets.

I tried it mixed with hot water per the instructions and ended up with some leftover sediment. Perhaps a frother would perform better at mixing. I also tried the Mud Smoothie recipe listed on the packaging (MUD/WTR, banana, almond butter and milk) and—oh my!—it was so good.

It has less than half the caffeine found in a typical cup of coffee (35 mg vs. 80 to 100 mg in coffee), so I was able to enjoy a latte in the afternoon without any issues falling asleep later. However, this may not be the case for everyone.

Available Size(s): 6.4 ounces; 19 ounces; 3.2 ounces (sachets) | Serving size: 1 tablespoon | Certifications: Organic, Gluten-free, Vegan, Non-GMO, Whole 30-Approved, Kosher | Other flavors and varieties: Cacao, Matcha, Turmeric, Rooibos

PHOTO: Amazon

What we like: It’s just $1.05 per serving if you buy directly from the company’s site (a 60-serving bag), even without a subscription.

What to know: It’s a little hard to mix initially, but not much sediment remains in the cup at the end.

This coffee alternative has a stronger cacao smell and chocolate taste. It’s best described as an earthy chocolate coffee, but it’s not too sweet. Of all the coffees we tested, this one was the hardest to mix—more stirring was necessary to break up the powder. This isn’t really a negative but it’s worth noting. More importantly, at the end of the drink, there was little residue from the powder compared to the other powdered products we tried.

I love that there’s no added sugar in this product and that the company provides the amount of mushroom (and “superfoods”) in it—3,000 mg per serving. The packaging claims the product has a “fraction of the caffeine found in coffee” but doesn’t disclose the actual amount. I noticed a slightly bitter aftertaste, but it wasn’t off-putting.

Available Size(s): 4 ounces and 60 ounces | Serving size: 1 tablespoon | Certifications: Vegan, Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Non-GMO | Other flavors and varieties: N/A

PHOTO: Amazon

What we like: This is a great low-caffeine alternative with less than 5 mg per serving.

What to know: It has a very mild flavor—none of the ingredients have an overpowering taste.

I was excited to try this one because of the added maca, a root that’s rich in antioxidants and may offer other health benefits. That said, I couldn’t detect any maca flavor. Instead, this drink was like sipping on a mild hot chocolate, especially when I added a splash of oat milk. But this isn’t for you if you’re looking for something bold and flavorful.

The individual packets are perfect for when you’re on the go, and it’s the only packaging option the company offers. The powder mixes well. I used a frother per the instructions and it did the job. However, I noticed quite a bit of sediment left over at the end of my drink. The packaging states that separation may occur, so perhaps mixing with a small spoon while sipping would help.

Available Size(s): 24, 48 and 72 packets | Serving size: One packet (3 g) | Certifications: Organic | Other flavors and varieties: N/A

Rasa Original Mushroom Coffee Alternative

PHOTO: Amazon

What we like: It’s truly caffeine-free, a plus for those looking to cut back or the caffeine-sensitive.

What to know: It is more like herbal tea than coffee.

Rasa Original is an herbal loose tea. Unlike the powder options, you can see the individual pieces of herbs, roots and other ingredients. We were surprised by how earthy the tea tasted. We didn’t detect mushrooms per se, but the chicory and dandelion came through.

I enjoyed the Rasa Original as an afternoon latte. It’s slightly sweet without any added sugar, so it made for a delicious treat and was a nice alternative to another beverage with caffeine. But I didn’t notice an increase in energy level or focus. I’m a fan of the brand’s transparency and appreciate the packaging, including the listed amount of adaptogens (chaga, reishi mushrooms and other ingredients).

Available Size(s): 8 ounces and 2 pounds | Serving size: 1 tablespoon | Certifications: Organic and Whole 30-Approved | Other flavors and varieties: N/A

The Bottom Line: The Best Mushroom Coffee

If it’s a coffee-like alternative you’re after, Four Sigmatic’s Think Mushroom Coffee (view at Amazon) is my top recommendation. MUD/WTR Cacao Rise (view at Amazon) is another delicious option if you’re partial to chai and are still searching for that mushroom boost.

Choosing a Mushroom Coffee

There are several factors to consider when shopping for mushroom coffee. Keep these features in mind:

Caffeine Content

If you’re trying to cut down on your caffeine intake or avoid it altogether, you’ll want to consider how much caffeine is in a serving of mushroom coffee. Some brands’ caffeine levels are similar to those of a cup of coffee, while others have much less or none at all.

Mushroom Type(s) and Quantity

Not all functional or medicinal mushrooms are the same. The potential benefits depend on the mushroom type: chaga, turkey tail, etc. Read the ingredient label to ensure your mushroom coffee has the fungi you’re after. Listing the amount of mushroom per serving on the packaging isn’t required, but some companies provide it. Again, I’m a fan of transparency.

Additional Ingredients

These additional ingredients can be beneficial or something you want to avoid. Some mushroom coffees contain good-for-you add-ins like spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, turmeric, etc.), green tea extract, or probiotics. Some products also contain unnecessary fillers, excess added sugars or coconut oil, which you may want to limit.

Cost

We found most mushroom coffees to run between $1 and $2 per serving. This puts them somewhere between the cost of brewing your coffee at home and grabbing a coffee at your local coffee shop. Consider our “Best Value” pick if you’re cost-conscious.

Coffee Type (and Prep):

Like regular java, mushroom coffee comes with an assortment of preparation and enjoyment options. Are you looking for iced or hot? Do you prefer beans, grounds, or instant coffee? Are you feeling like a latte? Consider how you want to prepare or enjoy mushroom coffee before purchasing.

EatingWell / Kelly Plowe

Our Search for the Best Mushroom Coffees

I researched the most popular mushroom coffees on the market, then narrowed my list down to eight. I only considered those that are third-party tested, minimally sweetened and free of unnecessary additives. I also considered price and availability.

When it came to initial testing, all of the products were sampled over the course of one day. This allowed for a fairer comparison of how well each product mixes when preparing and evaluating the smell, flavor and texture. Each mushroom coffee was prepared according to the instructions on the label.

Next, the goal was to test a different mushroom coffee each day instead of regular coffee. I found out the hard way that a few days were necessary to wean off of my two-cups-a-day habit. Eventually, I was able to test each mushroom coffee in the morning or afternoon, noting how it made me feel and if there were any changes to my energy level. I also looked out for any GI upset and other potential side effects—good or bad.

We Also Considered

Clevr Coffee Super Latte (view at Amazon): I love the idea of a mushroom coffee latte, but this option was a little too sweet for my taste buds. If you like a sweeter latte drink, this might be up your alley. The Clevr Coffee Super Latte (view at Clevr) is sweetened with monk fruit and erythritol and made with oat milk powder, so it’s 100% plant-based.

Common Questions

Are mushroom coffees good for you?

For most of us, there’s likely no harm in trying mushroom coffee, but don’t expect it to be a miracle elixir bestowing mental sharpness or a flat tummy. There’s not enough science on the functional beverage or its ingredients to support all the purported claims. That said, if you’re trying to wean off caffeine (or just lower your intake), mushroom coffee could be a good alternative—just double-check the caffeine content. As with any supplement, talk with your doctor before starting anything new.

Does it taste like mushrooms?

You might be relieved to learn that the answer is no—mushroom coffee does not, in fact, taste like mushrooms. Surprisingly, it tastes similar to regular drip or instant coffee and, in some cases, herbal tea or even hot chocolate.

Are there any side effects of drinking mushroom coffee?

Some mushroom coffees still have caffeine, so if you’re sensitive to caffeine, you may experience jitteriness or anxiety. Your heart rate may increase, and you could feel nauseous and have other GI issues like diarrhea.

It’s worth noting that the medicinal mushrooms found in mushroom coffee will not make you trip or feel high because they don’t contain psilocybin—the compound found in “magic” mushrooms.

Our Trusted Expertise

Kelly Plowe, M.S., RD, is a registered dietitian with over 15 years of experience writing about food and nutrition. She considers trying the latest and greatest food products a hobby and relies on her expertise to discern what you should “add to cart” versus leave on the shelf. Aside from this testing period, Kelly starts every morning with two cups of coffee with oat milk. She considered taste and enjoyment to be the most important factors in anything you eat or drink.

This article was edited and reviewed by Brierley Horton, M.S., RD, senior commerce editor, who has 15 years of experience reporting, writing, and editing nutrition and health content.

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