Mushroom Coffee: Keto-Friendly Or Not?

Mushroom coffee is a blend of ground coffee and mushroom powder, offering a unique combination of traditional coffee's energizing effects with the potential health benefits of medicinal mushrooms. For those on a ketogenic diet, mushroom coffee is an excellent option as it is typically low in carbs and can support ketosis. Additionally, mushroom coffee is known to have less caffeine, which can prevent the jitters and crashes associated with traditional coffee. This makes it suitable for those sensitive to caffeine or looking to reduce their intake.

How to make mushroom coffee

Mushroom coffee is a blend of ground coffee beans and mushroom powder. It is a healthier alternative to traditional coffee, as the mushrooms are believed to provide a range of health benefits. The drink is also keto-friendly.

To make mushroom coffee, you can use either dried mushrooms or mushroom extract. Here are two ways to make it:

Using Dried Mushrooms

• Purchase mushroom powder or make your own by grinding dried mushrooms in a coffee grinder or with a mortar and pestle.
• Mix the mushroom powder with your ground coffee beans. The ratio of mushrooms to coffee will depend on your preference, but a good starting point is 1-2 tablespoons of mushroom powder for every 8 ounces of brewed coffee.
• Brew your coffee as you normally would. You can use a French press, old-fashioned percolator, or any other method you typically use.
• Add milk, sugar, or other toppings to taste.

Using Mushroom Extract

• Prepare your coffee by brewing ground coffee beans as you normally would.
• Add the desired amount of mushroom extract to your hot coffee and stir well. Mushroom extract is more potent than ground mushrooms, so you will use less. Start with about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of extract per 8 ounces of brewed coffee.
• Add milk, sugar, or other toppings to taste.

Note: If you are using whole mushrooms or making your own mushroom powder, you can choose from a variety of functional mushrooms such as Chaga, Lion's Mane, Reishi, or Turkey Tail. These mushrooms are hard and largely inedible in their natural state, so be sure to chop them into small pieces before grinding them into a fine powder.

The health benefits of mushroom coffee

Mushroom coffee is a blend of coffee and medicinal mushrooms, such as chaga, lion's mane, reishi, cordyceps, king trumpet, and turkey tail. The mushrooms are dried and ground before being mixed with coffee beans, resulting in a taste similar to regular coffee. While there is a lack of clinical research on the health benefits of mushroom coffee specifically, here are some potential advantages that are often associated with this beverage:

Improved Mental and Physical Performance

Mushroom coffee is claimed to enhance mental and physical performance. The lion's mane mushroom, for instance, is known for its potential cognitive benefits, including improved focus and mental clarity.

Better Sleep

The reduced caffeine content in mushroom coffee may help improve sleep quality. With less caffeine in your system, you may find it easier to fall asleep and experience a more restful night's sleep.

Boosted Immunity

Medicinal mushrooms are often touted for their immune-boosting properties. Mushrooms contain polyphenols and antioxidants, which can bolster your immune system and help fight off illnesses.

Reduced Inflammation

Mushrooms are rich in polyphenols and antioxidants, which have anti-inflammatory properties. By drinking mushroom coffee, you may be able to reduce inflammation in your body.

Less Stress

Adaptogens found in medicinal mushrooms can influence the production of cortisol, a stress hormone. By reducing cortisol levels, mushroom coffee may help your body respond better to stressful situations.

While these benefits are attributed to the mushrooms in the coffee, it's important to note that there is limited research specifically on mushroom coffee. Additionally, the process of drying, extracting, and brewing mushrooms may impact the retention of their health benefits. Moreover, mushroom coffee can be expensive, and some people may find it more beneficial to incorporate fresh mushrooms into their diet instead.

The taste of mushroom coffee

Mushroom coffee is made by drying mushrooms, grinding them into a powder, and mixing them with ground coffee beans. The mushrooms used are typically lion's mane, cordyceps, reishi, chaga, king trumpet, and turkey tail. The resulting beverage is said to have health benefits, such as reduced inflammation and improved immune function, without the jitters of regular coffee.

But what does it taste like?

Despite the umami, earthy flavor of mushrooms, mushroom coffee mostly tastes like instant coffee. The mushrooms are processed and ground, so their flavor is fairly subtle. Some describe it as having a slight earthiness or herbaceous undercurrent. It's also been likened to the flavor of Slim Fast drinks and other health drinks.

One reviewer, who tried instant mushroom coffee from the Mushroom Coffee Company, said:

> "It smells good and has some solid flavor. However, you still get that cloud that hangs out in your mouth and reminds you 'I'm instant.' It reminds me of coffee at the end of a wedding when I know I have to drive over an hour to get home."

Another reviewer, who tried RYZE mushroom coffee, said:

> "I’ve tried other brands but this is by far the best. It pairs so well with a splash of creamer, and there is no nausea, anxiety, or jitters to speak of!"

So, if you're looking for a coffee alternative with potential health benefits, mushroom coffee might be worth a try. Just don't expect it to taste exactly like your regular cup of joe.

Who should avoid mushroom coffee

Mushroom coffee is a blend of ground mushrooms and coffee beans. While it is probably safe for most people, there are some who should avoid it.

Firstly, people with kidney problems should not consume mushroom coffee. This is because mushrooms can cause digestive issues in those with kidney conditions, and they also contain high levels of oxalates, which can lead to kidney stones.

Secondly, those with a sensitivity to grains should avoid mushroom coffee, as mushrooms can cause similar digestive problems in these people.

Finally, if you are at high risk of developing kidney stones, it is best to avoid mushroom coffee due to the high levels of oxalates found in mushrooms.

If you are considering switching to mushroom coffee, it is a good idea to consult your doctor first.

The best mushroom coffee brands

Mushroom coffee is a combination of ground mushrooms and coffee grounds. It is growing in popularity as a beverage because it contains biologically active compounds that may reduce inflammation and stress, and improve sleep and cognition.

Four Sigmatic

Four Sigmatic is a notable brand in the mushroom coffee market. Their product line typically combines high-quality coffee beans with various medicinal mushrooms, such as Lion's Mane and Chaga, which are popular for their cognitive and immune-boosting properties. It uses USDA organic mushrooms made from 100% fruiting bodies. It has the lowest price point out of all the leading brands, and this is due to it also having the lowest dosage of 500mg total. We do feel this is a good entry point for those that are curious about experiencing mushroom coffee with a lower budget. However, one may not feel the effects of the low dosage of ingredients as much as a product offering much higher doses.

Lucid

Lucid is a leading premium beverage that has a distinctive offering in the mushroom coffee space. They’ve coined their own category “Super Coffee”, which includes large doses of both nootropics and functional mushrooms. This vegan-friendly beverage is designed for those seeking more than just health benefits, aiming to enhance both physical and cognitive performance. Lucid's unique formula combines these powerful ingredients with a lower caffeine content to give the user a sustained "flow state," delivering stable energy throughout the day. Their mushroom extract is USDA certified and made from 100% fruiting bodies to ensure the highest purity and concentration. Due to its value for the dose it delivers, reported excellent service and quality of ingredients, we have determined that it is the best overall leading brand in our recommendations.

Ryze

Ryze Superfoods' mushroom coffee is a leader in the wellness beverage market with its high concentration of functional mushrooms, boasting 2000mg per serving. During our testing, we’ve found the taste to be earthy with a strong umami flavor. The product is priced to be budget-friendly, further enhanced by free shipping on subscriptions, making it an attractive option for consumers. However, the product's quality has been a point of contention for some users. The use of 'full spectrum' mushroom extract, which includes myceliated oats, raises questions about the purity and potency of the mushroom content.

Everyday Dose

Everyday Dose is a healthy alternative to regular coffee. It’s everything you love about coffee with none of the jitters, crashes, bloating, and digestive issues. This mushroom coffee combines superfood adaptogenic mushrooms, nootropics, and collagen protein with premium, low-acidity coffee extract – resulting in 80% less caffeine than traditional coffee with the same smooth, creamy coffee taste. The taste of this coffee seemed to be one of the better ones overall compared to the dozens that we have tried. One detail we noticed was that the coffee they use is not stated organic, while the other leading brands use USDA organic coffee. We did discover that the dosage is lower than what a couple of the other leading brands offered. After drinking, we noticed that there was no sediment at the bottom, which was nice.

Laird Superfood

Laird Superfood Focus calls for just 1 Tbsp of ground coffee per serving, meaning the more affordable 12-ounce bag will last you a lot longer than other ground mushroom coffee brands on this list that call for three to four times that amount.

This coffee is almost like your typical medium roast—except that it contains coffee cherry (an antioxidant), lion’s mane mushroom and Rhodiola extracts (an adaptogen botanical known to relieve stress) for a powerful and energizing blend of functional ingredients and superfoods. Leading with ground Peruvian coffee beans and 100 mg of caffeine, this blend is a fair trade for your current coffee brand.

Shroomi

Here’s a coffee that works smarter, not harder: Shroomi’s dark roast blend contains 100% organic Arabica ground coffee beans and 1000 mg of brain-boosting, organic lion’s mane mushroom in every cup. As a champion for mental health awareness, Shroomi offers a line of mushroom coffees and shots to help deliver an array of health benefits from various mushroom blends.

La Republica

La Republica’s Focus & Energy offers an array of benefits—from increased energy and improved brain function to boosted immunity, digestion and stress support—keeping you healthy while enhancing your daily performance.

But you won’t have to trade in quality for convenience. La Republica sources its coffee from wild-grown fruiting bodies that are dual-extracted to release the maximum beneficial compounds. I found the taste to be very mellow and smooth, and not at all bitter. Unlike other coffees that left me feeling jittery and scattered, La Republica made me feel focused and calm.

Clevr Blends

What I like most about the Clevr Coffee SuperLatte is that it contains coffee, a blend of mushrooms and a creamer all in one. Like instant coffee, there’s no prep required—just pour in hot water and enjoy a drink that tastes professionally made in the comfort of your home and for a fraction of the cost.

While other popular mushroom brands contain their latte versions, I found Clevr’s SuperLatte to be superior in taste—comforting but not too sweet. Clevr also sells a variety of other popular flavors including Matcha, award-winning Sleeptime and Chai.

MUD/WTR

MUD/WTR is neither mud nor water: It’s a mushroom coffee that ditches most of the caffeine for a potent blend that’s as charged with health benefits as it is with energizing properties. Made with masala chai and a range of organic spices, the flavor veers more toward a chai latte than coffee.

Don’t let its low caffeine content fool you. It still contains 2,248 mg of energy and immune-boosting adaptogens from chaga, reishi, lion’s mane and cordyceps—that’s more mushroom content than any other brand on this list.

Frequently asked questions