Is the Mushroom Coffee Trend Worth the Hype?

Mushroom coffee certainly is having its moment. As Tastewise noted in its Q2 Food Trends Report, consumer interest in mushroom drinks has grown by 52% year-over-year. While these beverages are certainly not new — ancient Chinese texts refer to reishi as the “king of herbal medicines” — it seems that fungi-focused drinks are going mainstream.

But what is mushroom coffee, really? And can it actually deliver on all the promises made by marketers? Here's what you need to know about mushroom coffee before you begin brewing it for yourself.

What is mushroom coffee? 

Mushroom coffee is exactly what it sounds like: a warm coffee drink made with mushrooms. Mushroom coffee usually combines ground coffee beans with powdered extracts from functional mushrooms such as lion’s mane, chaga, reishi, cordyceps, or turkey tail.  

“Mushroom coffee is a blend of high-quality coffee and functional mushroom extracts designed to offer a smoother, more balanced boost — without the crash or jitters,” Matt McInnis, co-founder of North Spore, a functional mushroom coffee line, shared with Food & Wine. “We start with organically grown Nicaraguan coffee beans that are roasted here in New England, then pair them with dual-extracted mushroom powders made from fruiting bodies — not mycelium on grain like some other products on the market.”

Each mushroom, McInnis explained, is chosen with purpose. Lion’s mane is included for its potential benefits for focus, cordyceps for energy, chaga and turkey tail for immune and gut support, and reishi for stress modulation.

Is mushroom coffee psychedelic?

Absolutely not. While some mushrooms can produce hallucinogenic effects, the ones used in coffee are entirely non-psychoactive, so you can rest easy that you won't start tripping after a morning sip.

“Functional mushrooms are a group of mushrooms that have potential health benefits beyond basic nutrition,” Dawn Menning, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator, explained, noting they differ from culinary mushrooms like portobello and shiitake. She added that they are also “very different from psychedelic mushrooms, which contain compounds like psilocybin that may produce mind-altering effects, including hallucinations.”

Does it contain caffeine like coffee?

In most cases, yes. Since mushroom coffee typically mixes functional mushrooms with coffee beans, it does contain caffeine, although usually less than a standard cup of coffee. Menning explained that while a regular cup of coffee has approximately 95 milligrams of caffeine, a cup of mushroom coffee can have between 40 and 60 milligrams, depending on the brand.

However, some brands are entirely caffeine-free. “Typically, most mushroom coffees contain no caffeine because it does not have any caffeine source,” Bryan Quoc Le, a PhD in food science and author of 150 Food Science Questions Answered, added. “But if it’s mixed with coffee, of course, there will be caffeine, just in a lower dose.”

Are there any proven health benefits? 

The science on this is a little murky. Brands often market mushroom coffee with bold claims, like that it can help increase your focus or boost your immunity. However, while the research supporting these substantial claims shows promise, it remains preliminary.

“The research is actually a bit more tentative about claiming that functional mushrooms have any bioactive effect on humans,” Le said. “While some clinical studies suggest that mushroom extracts can improve certain biomarkers of immunity and inflammation, it’s unclear if there’s any benefit at the concentrations found in food products and beverages.”

Still, one 2022 study found that mushrooms can have “neuroprotective properties,” while another 2023 study stated that they have a “beneficial effect on the organism through the improvement of its overall health and nutritional level,” indicating that the claims aren't entirely without merit. 

Menning, however, added an important caveat: “While mushrooms provide a rich source of antioxidants that may help support the immune system, most research has been done in animals with very limited human study data.” Menning added, “These studies were done on the mushroom itself, not on mushroom coffee.” 

Are there risks to mushroom coffee?

Mushroom coffee is generally safe for most people, but there are a few caveats to consider. “Some mushroom coffees may have a higher fiber content than most people are used to, so it could increase bowel movements,” Le said. 

Menning also noted that “Chaga and reishi may interact with medications such as blood thinners and immunosuppressants,” adding, “Chaga also contains oxalates, which in high amounts can contribute to kidney stone formation.”

Does it taste like you’re drinking mushrooms? 

Not if it’s done right.

“We get it, most mushroom coffees out there don’t taste great and are made with pretty inferior instant coffee and dubious mushroom extracts,” McInnis shared. “But ours was designed by mycologists and coffee lovers. It’s real coffee first, with the added benefit of real mushroom extracts, not ground mushroom biomass and grains. You won’t taste the mushrooms, but you should feel the difference.”

It's quite easy to get started. Many options, like North Spore, are pre-ground and made for standard coffee makers, French presses, or pour-over setups. “There’s no learning curve,” McInnis said.

Should you try it? 

If you’re curious, why not? Just keep expectations of what mushroom coffee can and can't do for you in check. “None of these claims have been proven yet,” Menning said.

Still, that hasn’t stopped many from making the switch from plain coffee to this blend.

“There’s been a huge surge in interest in consuming mushroom products for their wellness benefit,” McInnis shared. “Between the rise of wellness culture, increased awareness of mushrooms as health-promoting foods, and some skepticism around synthetic supplements, folks are turning to more natural options. Mushrooms have been having a moment for the past few years, and coffee makes for an efficient and convenient delivery mechanism.”