What’s the Dirt on Mushroom Coffee

Learn which one Enlightened Omnivore prefers

Over the last two months, I’ve had mushrooms on the brain. Having learned many of the food and health benefits of these fantastic fungi, I’ve wanted to find ways to incorporate more fungi into my diet. So, I converted my most faithful morning ritual, making that perfect cup of coffee, into a mushroom laboratory to see what all the fuss was about one of the fastest growing beverages in the industry, mushroom coffee. 

It turns out, I’m kinda late to the game on this one. 

Mushroom Coffee is almost a $3 billion industry that’s supposed to double in the next ten years. People are spending $3 billion on mushroom coffee? And, almost 60% of these crazies are in the US. Maybe I’ve been living under a log with the rest of the mycelium…..

I took the time to try five different mushroom coffee brands and review each for taste, effectiveness and overall appeal. Surprisingly, they are all very different, probably because there are so many different morning joe drinkers. So let’s get started.

What is Mushroom Coffee?

Mushroom coffee is a combination of traditional (often organic) roasted coffee, and a blend of ground medicinal mushroom powders and other organic compounds that have purported health benefits. Most mushroom coffees have about half the caffeine of traditional coffee (between 30-50 mg per cup). I tried both traditionally brewed–already ground–mushroom coffees that could be made in a french press or regular coffee maker, and some instant powders that were prepared by simply stirring a pre-packaged powder into a cup of warm or hot water. 

I always drink my coffee black with no sweeteners or any other additives. I brew it strong. My grandma called it “mean coffee.” My weapon of choice is a bright yellow Frieling French Press, but I also have a MoccaMaster when brewing for more than myself. That said, it seems like most folks drink mushroom coffee the same way they would their regular cup of joe. I did find that most brewable mushroom coffees tasted less bold when brewed in a machine, rather than french press, so keep that in mind if you like robust or mild flavor.  

I bought with my own money (no sponsorships or hidden affiliations here) the following brands: Four Sigmatic Think, Four Sigmatic Happy Gut, Laird Defend, RYZE Mushroom Coffee, and MUD\WTR. Here’s what I thought in way too many words.