Coffee is undoubtedly one of the most popular beverages in the world, with millions of people starting their day with a cup of joe. However, in recent years, a new trend has emerged in the coffee world – mushroom coffee.
This unique blend combines coffee's rich, bold flavor with the powerful health benefits of medicinal mushrooms like Lion's mane, Chaga, Reishi, Cordyceps, Maitake, and turkey tail. Mushroom coffee has become increasingly popular among health-conscious consumers due to the potential benefits of these medicinal mushrooms.
For example, Lion's mane mushrooms improve cognitive function and memory, while Reishi mushrooms have anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties. Conversely, Chaga mushrooms reduce inflammation and improve gut health.
However, how does mushroom coffee compare to regular coffee, the classic beverage coffee lovers worldwide enjoy? In this article, we'll examine the critical differences between mushroom coffee and standard coffees like latte, cappuccino, americano, espresso, and mocha and explore the potential benefits and drawbacks of each.
How Is Mushroom Coffee Prepared?
Forget the image of mushrooms' fruiting bodies floating in your coffee mug; mushroom coffee is not quite like that. Instead, it is a unique blend of ground medicinal mushrooms and coffee beans that brews a dark, smooth, nutty coffee.
The unique blend coffee primarily uses medicinal mushroom extracts, some of the most common ones being Chaga, Turkey's tail, Lion's mane, Reishi, and Cordyceps. Despite including these unique ingredients, many consumers claim that the flavor profile of mushroom coffee is quite similar to normal coffee. However, the potential health benefits of mushroom coffee, such as boosting immunity, promoting weight loss, and reducing anxiety, set it apart from regular coffee.
The first step in making a coffee-mushroom blend is extracting the fruiting bodies of the mushrooms to produce an organic powder. The best manufacturers ensure the mushroom powder is free from carriers, fillers, and other additives. A dual extraction process is used to dehydrate the mushrooms, grind them into a fine powder, and then mix them with ground coffee beans in a 1-to-1 ratio.
Coffee-mushroom blends, such as instant coffee packets, ground coffee blends, and coffee pods, are widely available in the market. Mushroom coffee can be prepared using the same methods as standard coffee and can be used to make mochas, lattes, macchiato, frappe, iced, flavored, or black coffee drinks that are both delicious and healthy.
Read More: Can you add Lion's mane to coffee?
Benefits of Mushroom Coffee vs. Regular Coffee: Is Mushroom Coffee Worth It?
The energizing mix of mushroom and coffee contains polyphenols, antioxidants, prebiotic fibers, bioactive compounds, and proteins that benefit the body. As a result, the trendy beverage has several health advantages. Below, we will compare the benefits of mushroom coffee.
1. It Contains Less Caffeine Than Standard Coffee
Since mushrooms lack caffeine, coffee-mushroom blends have reduced caffeine than regular coffee. This is good news for people sensitive to caffeine. In addition, the reduced caffeine in this coffee alternative may promote better sleep, which is often negatively affected by regular whipped or plain coffee.
Read More:See how Reishi mushroom promotes better sleep.
As previously mentioned, coffee-mushroom blends typically consist of an equal amount of ground coffee beans and mushroom extract or powder. However, compared to standard coffee, the amount of caffeine in the finished product is reduced by half, thanks to the mushroom powder's lack of caffeine.
Therefore, most mushroom coffees contain less caffeine than white tea, green tea, chai, and herbal oolong tea. If decaffeinated coffee and mushrooms are used, your mushroom coffees will contain zero caffeine.
2. It Gives You An Energy Boost
Although both types of coffee contain stimulating caffeine, some people are sensitive to much of it and may experience jitteriness or anxiety. However, thanks to functional mushrooms, coffee can benefit from additional energizing ingredients without extra caffeine. Moreover, mushrooms like Reishi fight anxiety, improving your wellness even after taking the caffeine.
Cordyceps(1) is a mushroom that supports energy and endurance. You can add the mushroom powder blend to your favorite coffee beverage or a post-workout smoothie for an added burst of energy. Cordyceps boost energy levels by increasing ATP levels, the energy compound in the human body.
3. It Contains Adaptogens
Herbs and plants, known as "adaptogens," aid the body and mind in coping with and adapting to physical and mental stress. They may target the immune system and the central nervous system.
Many medicinal mushrooms are also categorized as adaptogens — true superfoods in every sense. Due to their various beta-glucan profiles, the adaptogen mushrooms Chaga, Reishi, Lion's Mane, Turkey Tail, and Cordyceps have different effects on immune function.
You might experience fewer jitters and more calmness from morning coffee with adaptogens than regular coffee. Besides reduced caffeine, the adaptogens can help you stay energized without drinking sugar, milk, and cream lattes.
4. Mushroom Coffee Supports The Immune System
While it is believed that 3-5 cups of coffee daily will boost immune function, some people may have issues with that amount of caffeine. You can get significant immune support from coffee by mixing in a serving of 2g of functional mushroom powder, which will help you get more benefits from less caffeine.
Read More:See the different ways to use mushroom powders.
According to extensive research(2), medicinal mushrooms may benefit the immune system. The immune-boosting potential of adaptogens is well known, and medicinal mushrooms like Chaga, Reishi, Cordyceps, Turkey tail, Lion's mane, and Maitake are among the best.
For instance, Turkey tail is used in cancer treatments, including breast cancer. Likewise, Lion's mane appears to balance immune function. The polysaccharides and beta-glucans in mushroom powder are primarily responsible for their immune-boosting effects.
5. It Is Packed With Proteins
While there is little protein in regular coffee, adding functional mushroom powder enhances the protein content. In addition, mushroom protein contains all essential amino acids, unlike plant proteins, making it a complete source of protein.
Using a coffee product with functional mushrooms, also known as traditional Chinese medicine, will give your body one o the most important nutrients while boosting your ability to focus.
Read More: See Lion's mane nutritional benefits.
What Does Mushroom Coffee Taste Like?
Mushroom coffee has a unique flavor profile described as earthy, nutty, and slightly bitter. The specific taste can vary depending on the type of medicinal mushrooms used in the blend and the type and quality of coffee beans or grounds. Some coffee-mushroom blends may have added flavors or sweeteners to enhance the taste.
Many consumers claim that coffee-mushroom blends have a milder and smoother taste than regular coffee, despite including mushroom extracts. However, it is essential to note that taste preferences are subjective, and some people may not enjoy the taste of mushroom coffee. Therefore, it may be worth trying different brands and blends to find one that suits your taste buds.
Moreover, as you can always tweak the taste of your decaf coffee, matcha tea, and pink coffee with syrups, you can also use natural products to improve the taste of your mushroom coffee. For example, adding honey or milk to your drink can mask the bitter taste of mushrooms and coffee, allowing you to enjoy your mushroom coffee better.
FAQs About Mushroom Coffee vs. Regular Coffee
What Are The Side Effects Of Mushroom Coffee?
Mushroom coffee is generally considered safe for most people, with minimal and rare side effects. However, some people may experience mild side effects, especially if they consume large amounts of mushroom coffee or have a sensitivity or allergy to certain types of mushrooms. Here are some of the possible side effects of mushroom coffee:
- Digestive issues: Some people may experience digestive problems such as bloating, gas, or an upset stomach after consuming mushroom coffee.
- Allergic reactions: People allergic to certain types of mushrooms may experience allergy symptoms, including hives, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing.
- Interaction with medications: Some medicinal mushrooms used in coffee-mushroom blends may interact with certain medications, including blood-thinning drugs and medicines for diabetes.
- Insomnia:The caffeine content in mushroom coffee may cause insomnia or restlessness in some people, especially if consumed in large amounts or the evening.
Does Mushroom Coffee Have Caffeine?
Yes, mushroom coffee does contain caffeine. However, coffee drinks with mushrooms contain about half as much caffeine as regular coffee.
Although mushroom powders do not naturally contain caffeine, many coffee-mushroom blends include Arabica coffee beans or grounds to add flavor and caffeine content to the drink. If you do not like caffeine, you can choose decaf options or prepare your drinks with mushroom powders alone.
Is Mushroom Coffee Suitable For Everyone?
Drinking coffee with mushrooms is generally considered safe and suitable for most people. However, certain groups of people may need to exercise caution when using coffee-mushroom blends or avoid it altogether. Here are some examples:
- People with mushroom allergies: If you have a known allergy to mushrooms, it's best to avoid mushroom coffee.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women: These women should consult with their healthcare provider before consuming mushroom coffee.
- People taking medications: People taking these medications should consult their healthcare provider before consuming mushroom coffee.
- Children: Children should consume mushroom coffee in moderation and with adult supervision.
Generally, if you have any health concerns or underlying medical conditions, it's always best to consult your healthcare provider before adding mushroom coffee to your diet.
Key Takeaways
The difference between mushroom coffee vs. regular coffee is straightforward: the former contains all the health benefits of functional mushrooms with lower caffeine content. However, the specific health benefits largely depend on the kind of mushroom powder extract in your coffee. For example, if your coffee has Lion's mane mushrooms, you will enjoy improved brain health, while mushrooms like Reishi and Chaga can boost your immunity and fight inflammation.
The fantastic news is that drinking coffee with mushrooms is not arduous. First, you can buy coffee with mushroom powder in the bag—numerous popular mushroom coffee brands exist in the market. Then, add water and sip away the magic potion. Alternatively, you can buy your favorite mushroom powder and coffee separately and then combine the two in your coffee maker.
Have you tried mushroom coffee and regular coffee? Did you notice any differences? Please share with us in the comments section.
References
- Enhancement of ATP generation capacity, antioxidant activity and immunomodulatory activities by Chinese Yang and Yin tonifying herbs, (1)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1847515/
- Medicinal Mushrooms (PDQ®), (2)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK424937/
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