I Tried 8 Popular Mushroom Coffees, and This Is the One I'd Recommend as a Dietitian (2024)

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.

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.

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.