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The best mushroom coffees sound funky, and rightly so: They’re indeed not your typical cup of joe. But if you’re seeking enhanced focus, more energy, and a powered-up immune system, pairing (or replacing) your morning latte with mushrooms may be a good idea. These thoughtful beverages, which supplement coffee with mushrooms like reishi, lion’s mane, and chaga, offer a lower dose of caffeine alongside a higher amount of micronutrients. Because of that, and depending on the exact combination of mushroom, they offer additional perks beyond the typical energy surge, helping to offset fatigue throughout the day or allowing you to concentrate for a longer period of time.
Vogue’s Favorite Mushroom Coffees:
- Best Overall: Four Sigmatic Focus Organic Mushroom Coffee, $20
- Best Caffeinated: Laird Organic Coffee with Functional Mushrooms, $19
- Best Instant Coffee: Ryze Mushroom Coffee, $20
- Best Coffee Alternative: MUD\WTR Mushroom Coffee Alternative, $50
- Best Latte: Atlas+ Mushroom Latte Superblend, $19 and up
In This Article:
- What is mushroom coffee?
- Are mushroom coffees actually good for you?
- What are the health benefits of mushroom coffee?
- Which type of mushrooms are in mushroom coffee?
- Meet the Experts
Whether you choose to pair your mushroom with the real thing or swap coffee entirely for a new flavor, these expert-recommended mushroom coffees are a good place to start.
Best Overall: Four Sigmatic Focus Organic Mushroom Coffee
- Why We Love It: A pioneer of mushroom coffee, Four Sigma is loved by experts, who point to this particular blend as a good starting point to boost your clarity and concentration. Alongside medium-roast coffee, the combination of lion’s mane and chaga mushrooms “make it a great beginner s mushroom coffee,” says New York, NY-based registered dietitian Jennifer Maeng. Meanwhile, Dr. Lauren Powell, a board-certified family medicine physician and culinary wellness specialist, likes that this mushroom coffee delivers “smooth, sustained energy without the usual caffeine crash.” It comes pre-ground, so you can use it in a drip machine, French press, or as a pour-over.
- Size: 12 oz.
- Type of mushroom: Lion s mane, chaga
Best Caffeinated: Laird Superfood PERFORM Organic Coffee with Functional Mushrooms
- Why We Love It: If you’re not quite ready to give up caffeine entirely, this mushroom coffee pairs a blend of mushrooms with medium-roast coffee grown in Peru. “It s organic and has a blend of four different types of mushrooms: chaga, cordyceps, maitake, and lion’s mane,” says Maeng, who says it works especially well as a latte. (However, she notes, while the brand also offers instant mushroom lattes, they’re flavored with coconut milk and sugar—so they’re higher in sugar and calories.) This particular lineup of mushrooms is said to reduce stress and boost energy, and was created with athletes in mind.
- Size: 12
- Type of mushroom: chaga, cordyceps, maitake, lion’s mane
Best Instant Coffee: Ryze Mushroom Coffee
- Why We Love It: For those seeking a streamlined morning routine, Maeng recommends this instant coffee, as it “provides 48 mg of caffeine per serving and also contains MCT oil and coconut oil,” she says. (That’s roughly half the amount of caffeine found in a cup of regular coffee.) For those unfamiliar with MCT oil, it’s a type of fat that’s thought to enhance energy and cognitive performance—making it a worthwhile complement to the six mushrooms in the blend. (For a fully caffeine-free option, Dr. Powell also likes the brand’s Mushroom Chicory coffee, which “has a creamy, earthy taste and combines several adaptogenic mushrooms, making it perfect for focus and balance without overstimulation,” she says.)
- Size: 30 servings
- Type of mushroom: Cordyceps, shittake, lion s mane, turkey tail, reishi, king trumpet
Best Coffee Alternative: MUD\WTR Original Mushroom Coffee Alternative
- Why We Love It: As with coffee itself, MUD/WTR is a bit of an acquired taste; the brand describes the flavor as a mash-up between hot cocoa and spicy chai. But it has about a third of the caffeine found in a regular cup of coffee, thanks to the addition of cacao and masala chai, a type of black. (It also contains lion’s mane, chaga, reishi, and chaga to support the immune system while easing you into your day.) Maeng likes it because “it’s organic, vegan, and contains no artificial sweeteners,” she says.
- Size: 30 servings
- Type of mushroom: Chaga, reishi, lion s mane, cordyceps
Best Latte: Atlas+ Mushroom Latte Superblend
- Why We Love It: There’s little that the Atlas+ Latter Superblend can’t do. It pairs coffee with lion’s mane, cordyceps, and reishi for a sustained burst of energy, clarity, and focus—but you’ll also find other noteworthy supplements like vitamin B12, vitamin D3, and both pre- and prebiotics. (These work to support gut health and further aid your immune system, according to the brand.) Each cup offers around 45 mg of caffeine—which is half that of a regular cup of coffee.
- Size: 20 or 40 servings
- Type of mushroom: Reishi, lion’s mane, cordyceps
Everything You Need to Know
What is mushroom coffee?
Mushroom coffee is a type of coffee that’s paired with mushrooms like chaga, lion’s mane, reishi, and cordyceps. Depending on the brand and blend, mushroom coffee may offer roughly 40 to 50 mg of caffeine per cup, which is about half that found in a cup of coffee. And, while mushrooms themselves don’t contain caffeine, “they can still provide a natural energy boost due to their adaptogenic and nutrient-dense properties,” says Dr. Powell. “Certain mushrooms, like cordyceps, enhance oxygen utilization and cellular energy—helping to improve stamina and reduce fatigue.” Meanwhile, she says, lion’s mane can support cognitive function by stimulating nerve growth factors, which improves focus and mental clarity.
However, the flavor can require an adjustment. “Mushroom coffee doesn’t taste exactly like your typical black coffee,” says Maeng. “Depending on the brand, it can have a very earthy taste, especially if it doesn’t have any other flavor added to it.”
Are mushroom coffees actually good for you?
Generally, yes, mushroom coffee is good for you. “Mushroom coffee provides more nutrients than a regular cup of coffee, as mushrooms are full of antioxidants and other nutrients such as B vitamins, vitamin D, selenium, and potassium, which can help protect cells from oxidative stress,” says Maeng.
And, although mushroom coffee tends to be lower in caffeine, “it can potentially support cognitive function better than coffee, improve stress adaptation, and provide sustained energy without the caffeine-related jitters,” she says. She recommends it for those who want to cut back their coffee consumption due to anxiety, caffeine-related jitters, and sleep issues.
What are the health benefits of mushroom coffee?
As we mentioned, mushroom coffee can deliver key nutrients, help you feel more energized, and may support the immune system. But it may offer a multitude of benefits beyond that, too, thanks in part to their emphasis on adaptogenic mushrooms. A mainstay in traditional Eastern medicine, these mushrooms “help the body adapt to stress, support overall well-being, and provide functional benefits without overstimulating the nervous system,” says Dr. Powell.
On top of that, “many different types of mushrooms—notably chaga, shiitake, reishi, lion’s mane, turkey tail, and oyster mushrooms—are high in compounds called terpenoids,” says Maeng. These compounds have antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help support immune function.
Finally, mushroom coffee may aid in physical performance and recovery. “Cordyceps mushrooms, in particular, have been shown to boost energy by supporting adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, synthesis in the mitochondria, which is the primary energy source for our cells,” Maeng explains. “Additionally, cordyceps can enhance oxygen utilization by improving lung function and increasing VO2 max, which can be particularly beneficial for endurance and overall physical performance.”
Which type of mushrooms are in mushroom coffee?
Not all mushrooms are created; each brings a different set of nutrients and compounds to your cup. The most common types include:
- Chaga: This is brimming with antioxidants, which, Maeng says, can help offset oxidative stress and support the immune system.
- Cordyceps: These mushrooms are “thought to boost energy and physical performance by enhancing oxygen utilization and ATP production, which are essential for sustained endurance,” says Maeng.
- Reishi: An adaptogenic mushroom, this is used to reduce stress and promote relaxation.
Meet the Experts
- Jennifer Maeng, RD, a nutritionist in New York, NY and founder of Chelsea Nutrition
- Lauren Powell, MD, a board-certified family medicine physician and culinary medicine specialist