Best Mushroom Coffee and Drinks of 2023, According to a Dietitian

You’ve probably seen mushrooms showing up in more and more products — particularly dietary supplements and health foods.

Although they have long been used in traditional medicine, in recent years mushrooms have also become mainstream in the health world.

Mushroom coffee combines functional mushrooms (or mushrooms that may have beneficial health effects) with coffee, or mushrooms along with other ingredients as a coffee replacement.

Many of these drinks are claimed to help boost your focus and productivity, improve your immune health, or help you sleep better or de-stress — all thanks to the mushrooms and other herbal ingredients they contain.

They can be made with or without coffee, caffeinated or decaffeinated, and in powder, tea, or whole bean coffee form.

Some may contain additional herbs, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, or other adaptogens (substances that may help your body adapt to stress more effectively) in addition to mushrooms. (1)

Many people use these mushroom drinks to completely replace coffee completely, or as a supplement to their coffee when they need a boost in concentration (for instance, during the “afternoon slump”).

Some may also enjoy these beverages when they are trying to wind down at the end of the day.

Here are our choices for some of the best mushroom coffees and drinks, along with some important information to know before you purchase.

Summary of Our Picks

• Best brewed coffee: Four Sigmatic Think Whole Bean Coffee with Lion’s Mane and Chaga Mushrooms
• Best for alertness: KOS Sippin’ on Shroomboom Mushroom Coffee Blend
• Best for sleep: MUD\WTR :rest
• Best instant coffee: RYZE Mushroom Coffee
• Best tea: Teeccino Mushroom Herbal Tea Sampler
• Best budget pick: La Republica Organic Mushroom Coffee

Best Brewed Coffee: Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee

Best Brewed Coffee

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Pros

• Contains Lion’s Mane and Chaga for potentially better concentration.
• Whole beans give you more control over your coffee.
• Four Sigmatic is a well-known and trusted name in mushroom coffee.

Cons

• Some reviewers say it’s bitter.
• More expensive than regular coffee.

The Experience

This whole bean, fair trade coffee from Four Sigmatic is infused with Lion’s Mane and Chaga mushrooms and designed to help support your brain and potentially improve your productivity.

It consists simply of organic whole coffee beans, along with these mushroom extracts.

While many reviewers like the taste and appreciate the whole bean form, some say that the mushroom taste was noticeable and that the coffee was a bit on the bitter side.

But, many reviewers reported that it helped them focus and gave them consistent energy throughout the day.

I tried this coffee by finely grinding the beans and brewing a cup in my stovetop coffee maker. It tasted like a good, dark roast cup of coffee — with absolutely no mushroom taste at all, in my opinion.

I tried it instead of my regular morning cup of coffee, so I definitely felt the effects of the caffeine, but I’m not sure it made a huge difference in my productivity after one cup.

How It Stands Out

Four Sigmatic is a well-known mushroom coffee brand that has led the way in developing new mushroom coffee blends.

This coffee, for example, is made from whole beans so you can have full control over your grind, but Four Sigmatic also offers pre-ground coffee and instant coffee infused with mushrooms.

Additionally, their coffees are labeled with the benefit of each — like “Think,” “Defend,” “Chill,” or “Perform.” This makes it really easy to pick the type that may be most helpful for you.

Who It’s For

This whole bean coffee is a great fit for coffee lovers who appreciate using whole bean coffee and want to experiment with mushroom coffee for its potential benefits.

Alternatively, it may be a good fit for people who want to try mushrooms but don’t want to taste them.

Cost

One bag of this coffee costs $20 for about 16 servings on the brand’s website.

It is noticeably more expensive than regular whole bean coffee. However, you can save 10% if you buy 3 bags at once, and 15% for 6 bags. Also, members of the Four Sigmatic subscription program can get 20% off.

It is also on Amazon.

Best for Alertness: KOS Sippin’ On Shroomboom Mushroom Coffee Blend

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Pros

• Contains a blend of 5 different mushroom extracts.
• Reviewers say it provides energy with no caffeine jitters.

Cons

• More expensive than regular coffee.
• Mushrooms give this blend an earthy taste.

The Experience

KOS Sippin’ On Shroomboom is a caffeinated mushroom coffee blend made with organic coffee, as well as Reishi, Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Chaga, and Turkey Tail mushrooms.

It also contains some creaminess from coconut milk, as well as flavor and sweetness from cocoa and the zero-calorie sweetener monk fruit.

Reviewers say that this coffee tastes good, but can be a little earthy. Some reviewers liken it more to hot chocolate than coffee — thanks to the cocoa and monk fruit.

Some reviewers also report that this mushroom powder gives them energy without the jitters or stomach irritation that plain coffee can sometimes cause.

I thought this coffee had a good taste, with a little bit of added cream. It tasted like hot cocoa made with super-dark chocolate, but I could detect a bit of the earthiness of the mushrooms too.

Although many reviewers said the product increased their energy, as a regular coffee drinker, I didn’t notice any big differences in my energy levels after drinking one cup.

How It Stands Out

Sippin’ On Shroomboom contains all five of the mushrooms listed above, rather than one or two.

Additionally, it comes presweetened, which may help mask the earthy, sometimes bitter taste of the mushrooms.

It also has a number of positive reviews regarding the energy it provides. It doesn’t contain as much caffeine as a cup of coffee, but the blend of caffeine and mushrooms in Sippin’ on Shroomboom may offer a similar effect as a cup of coffee for some people.

Who It’s For

It might be a good choice for you if you want a mushroom coffee that:

• Contains a variety of mushrooms.
• Is easy to prepare.
• Can provide the familiar lift you feel from regular coffee.

Cost

A one-time purchase of this coffee costs $39.99 for 28 servings (one pack) on the brand’s website, but you can subscribe to save 15%. Also, you get a $2 discount for purchasing two packs at once and $12 for purchasing three packs.

It’s a bit more expensive than conventional coffee or hot cocoa mixes. It is also available on Amazon.

Best for Sleep: MUD\WTR :rest

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Pros

• Caffeine-free.
• Contains mushrooms and herbs that may promote relaxation.
• Spices give it a pleasant taste.

Cons

• Very expensive compared to other chai teas.
• Doesn’t stay mixed.

The Experience

MUD\WTR :rest is a caffeine-free powdered mushroom tea blend designed to help promote calmness and relaxation.

It contains a base of organic chai tea with warming spices like ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves, along with Turkey Tail and Reishi mushrooms and calming chamomile and ashwagandha. (2, 3)

Reviewers appreciate the taste and say it really does help them to feel calm, but some say that the powder doesn’t stay mixed well and leaves a sediment at the bottom of their cup.

I found the taste very pleasant, especially with a little bit of cream and sweetener. The spices like cinnamon and ginger are the dominant flavors.

However, I did have to stir continuously to keep it mixed well, and it still got pretty gritty about halfway through.

I feel like it also helped me to relax, but I typically have a turmeric latte in the evening to wind down — so it’s possible that it was just the ritual that calmed me down instead of the drink itself.

How It Stands Out

Surprisingly, this is one of the few mushroom beverages designed explicitly to be caffeine-free and used for sleep.

If you’re interested in reading more about the brand, consider checking out our comprehensive review on the original MUD\WTR mushroom coffee alternative.

Who It’s For

This mushroom drink is ideal for anyone looking for a calming evening ritual that can help them to relax.

Cost

This product is on the expensive side. On the brand’s website, it costs $50 for a 30-day supply, but if you subscribe, you can save 20% and pay $40. It is also available on Amazon.

Best Instant Coffee: RYZE Mushroom Coffee

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Pros

• Contains coffee, but has less caffeine.
• Contains a blend of several mushrooms.
• Less expensive than other mushroom coffees.

Cons

• Some poor reviews regarding taste.

The Experience

RYZE Mushroom Coffee is a powdered drink mix that contains organic coffee, a blend of several mushrooms, and medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil.

It contains about half the caffeine of a typical cup of coffee, so it may be a good choice for you if you’re trying to decrease your caffeine intake but don’t want to cut out coffee completely.

However, there are a lot of mixed reviews about the taste.

Many reviewers say that it’s bitter and doesn’t taste like their normal coffee. Others, however, say that they enjoy it after adding cream or sweetener.

I haven’t personally tried this coffee, but it may be a better fit for you if you’ve already tried other mushroom products and have an idea of what to expect.

Otherwise, reviewers say they really did notice improvements in energy and focus when drinking RYZE consistently.

How It Stands Out

The addition of MCT oil adds a little bit of creaminess without the need for extra cream.

Unlike several other mushroom coffee products available, RYZE coffee also contains several different mushrooms in its mushroom blend.

To read more about RYZE, be sure to take a look at our RYZE Mushroom Coffee review.

Who It’s For

This mushroom coffee is a great fit for people who like coffee but want to decrease their caffeine intake, while also getting some additional health benefits in each cup.

Cost

RYZE Mushroom Coffee costs $45 per month, or $36 per month if you subscribe to auto-shipments. It is slightly less expensive than some similar mushroom coffees, like MUD/WTR.

Best Tea: Teeccino Mushroom Herbal Tea Sampler

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Pros

• Contains 6 teas featuring mushroom extracts.
• Caffeine-free and low-acid alternative to coffee.
• Convenient tea bags.
• Less expensive than mushroom coffee.

Cons

• May contain inconsistent amounts of mushroom extract, depending on brew time and water temperature.
• More expensive than regular tea.

The Experience

The Teeccino Mushroom Herbal Tea Sampler is a set of five different herbal teas( in ready-to-brew tea bags) containing organic mushroom extracts and other functional ingredients.

The flavors include:

• Tremella Tulsi
• Turkey Tail Astragalus
• Chaga Ashwagandha
• Reishi Eleuthero
• Lion’s Mane Rhodiola
• Cordyceps Schisandra

Reviewers say the flavors are really earthy, but that they are a good alternative to coffee.

Some reviewers report that the Lion’s Mane Rhodiola blend (which contains Lion’s Mane mushroom as well as the potentially focus-enhancing herb Rhodiola rosea) really seemed to make a difference in their ability to concentrate. (4)

I have tried several of the flavors and enjoyed the taste — but the amount of mushroom extract that infuses into your tea may vary significantly based on brew time and water temperature. (5, 6)

How It Stands Out

Teeccino offers the only mushroom-containing brewed tea bags that I’ve seen.

Unlike mushroom products that contain coffee, these teas are low in acid. Because of its high acid content, coffee may promote dental erosion more than tea. So if this is a concern for you, choosing tea may be a good choice. (7)

Additionally, these teas are all caffeine-free.

Since it’s a sampler set, you can also try all of the flavors and then purchase a box of a specific flavor if you notice that it is helpful, or you really like the taste.

Who It’s For

These teas are ideal for people who prefer tea over coffee, or anyone who wants to avoid caffeine and still experience the potential benefits of mushroom drinks.

Cost

• This sampler box, 12 tea bags: $8.49
• Individual flavors, 10 tea bags: $7.99
• Individual flavors, 25 tea bags: $15.99

You can also subscribe to save 15%.

This product is more expensive than other teas but significantly less expensive than most mushroom coffees. The Teeccino Mushroom Herbal Tea Sampler is also available on Amazon.

Best Budget Pick: La Republica Organic Mushroom Coffee

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Pros

• Available in caffeinated and decaf versions.
• Many reviewers say it provides energy with no jitters.
• Made with organic ingredients, but still significantly less expensive than other organic mushroom coffees.

Cons

• Some reviewers say it is bitter and has a mushroom aftertaste.

The Experience

The Organic Mushroom Coffee from La Republica Superfoods is a drink mix made with organic coffee and several organic mushroom extracts — Chaga, Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Cordyceps, Maitake, Shiitake, and Turkey Tail.

La Republica offers a caffeinated version that contains 75–85 mg of caffeine per serving, and a caffeine-free version for the same price.

The product has mostly positive reviews, and many reviewers say it provides sustained, jitter-free energy throughout the day. However, some reviewers say it’s got a bitter taste and a distinct mushroom aftertaste.

Regardless, those who chose to continue using the product say that adding creamer and sweetener helps a lot with the taste.

How It Stands Out

This coffee stands out because although it is made with organic coffee and a variety of organic mushrooms (like the other powdered coffees on this list), it is significantly less expensive.

La Republica also offers a caffeinated and decaffeinated version of the product, so you can try both and use the one that works best for you. You can also use both to gradually wean yourself off high quantities of caffeine.

Who It’s For

This coffee is a great option for anyone who exclusively uses organic products. It’s also a great fit for people who want to try mushroom coffee but are on a more limited budget.

Cost

La Republica Mushroom Coffee regularly costs $24 for 30 servings. However, you can save 20% if you subscribe, and La Republica also offers bulk purchase options that can lower the cost significantly.

This product is significantly less expensive than other powdered mushroom coffee drink mixes. It is also available on Amazon.

Quick Comparison Table

Things to Consider When Shopping for Mushroom Coffee and Drinks

When assembling this list, we included a variety of products with differing forms, caffeine levels, and added ingredients, which are important things for you to consider when shopping for mushroom coffee and drinks for yourself.

• Form: Do you prefer a powder that you can mix into hot water or one that can be brewed like coffee (stovetop, French press, etc.) or tea? Mushroom drinks are available in all of these forms, and one may seem much more convenient or appealing to you than another.
• Preferred Caffeine Content: You may want one that’s completely caffeine-free or contains some caffeine. It’s important to know your preference because many mushroom drinks contain coffee (and therefore, caffeine) as an ingredient, unless they’re made with decaf coffee.
• Ingredients: Likewise, many mushroom coffees contain additional ingredients, like herbs. If you are looking for a particular added ingredient (for instance, prebiotic fibers, which may help with digestive or immune support) you’ll need to check the label for the product. (8)

Mushroom Drinks 101: Benefits and Downsides

Potential Benefits of Mushroom Coffee and Drinks

Mushrooms have a long history of use in traditional medicine, dating back thousands of years. They were (and still are) used to treat a variety of conditions, especially in traditional Chinese medicine. Mushrooms also contain a variety of essential nutrients. (9)

The companies that produce many of these mushroom coffees and other mushroom drinks claim that they can:

• Help boost your immune system.
• Increase your focus and productivity.
• Lift your mood.
• Help you relax.

We’ll take a quick look at some of the science behind these claims.

We’ve focused on five different types of mushrooms — Turkey Tail, Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Chaga, and Cordyceps — as these are the most common types found in mushroom coffees and drinks.

One important thing to note is that there is very little human research available on the effects of these mushrooms, so most of the research we discuss below is from test tube and animal studies.

So, even if a test tube or animal study notes positive effects, we can’t say with confidence that the same effect will occur in humans.

Turkey Tail

The key benefit of Coriolus versicolor (Turkey Tail) mushrooms, which are fan-like mushrooms that grow on trees and resemble turkey tails, appears to be immune-related.

Animal studies have noted that extracts from the mushroom may strengthen the body’s immune responses to viruses like the flu. (10)

Likewise, a test tube study noted similar immune-strengthening effects from Turkey Tail extract.

However, it’s important to note that this study was sponsored by a functional mushroom company, so there could be some bias in the findings. (11)

Lion’s Mane

Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane) is a white mushroom made of long, hair-like spines that resemble a lion’s mane.

There is a small but growing body of research suggesting that Lion’s Mane mushrooms may help improve your mood, as well as your focus and concentration.

Some studies show that this mushroom may promote the formation of new nerve cells, which may play a role in helping to manage depression and Alzheimer’s disease. These brain-related effects may also extend to helping to improve focus. (12, 13, 14)

Reishi

Reishi mushroom (or Ganoderma lucidum) is a dark-colored mushroom that grows at the base of trees, although it’s very rare to find this mushroom wild.

It appears to have both immune-supportive properties and brain-boosting effects, at least in limited animal studies.

The mushroom contains a number of different compounds that may help improve brain disorders, mood disorders, anxiousness, and immune diseases, along with a number of other conditions, like liver disease and diabetes. (15)

Chaga

Chaga mushroom (or Inonotus obliquus) is a dark-colored fungus that grows on and in damaged trees.

Test tube and animal studies show that Chaga extract may help to prevent the changes in the brain that cause Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers have also noted some potential immune-strengthening benefits of the mushroom. (16, 17)

Cordyceps

The mushrooms known collectively as Cordyceps are actually part of the genus Cordyceps, which contains roughly 750 different species of mushroom. At least 35 of these have been shown to possess some functional properties.

Many Cordyceps mushrooms are long and thin, and look a bit finger-like.

The key benefit of these mushrooms appears to be their potential immune properties as they have immune-strengthening or antimicrobial effects. (18)

Downsides of Mushroom Coffee and Drinks

Unfortunately, the relatively small amount of research regarding medicinal mushrooms and these potential benefits doesn’t match up with some of the strong claims made about mushroom coffee.

Yes, mushroom coffee may offer some of these benefits, but there also hasn’t been enough research on the effects of these mushrooms in humans (especially in mushroom coffee or drink form) to say with confidence that they will definitely provide a benefit.

Additionally, mushroom coffees are significantly more expensive than conventional coffee or tea, both of which may provide some brain-boosting, stress-relieving benefits on their own, without the need for additional ingredients. (19, 20)

Finally, there has been no long-term research on mushroom coffee’s safety and side effects. So while it’s probably safe, we can’t say for sure.

The Bottom Line

Mushroom coffees and drinks offer a convenient way to include a variety of functional mushrooms in your diet.

These mushrooms may offer some benefits like improved focus, better immune health, or helping you relax. However, there hasn’t been enough research done on humans to know for sure.

If you want to try including mushroom drinks in your routine to see if they make a difference, you can try mushroom coffees that contain coffee and caffeine, or caffeine-free tea blends.

Although these drinks are more expensive than regular coffee and tea, they may be worth it for you if you feel a difference in your energy, focus, or stress levels with the addition of mushrooms.