Mushroom Coffee: What It Is, Benefits, Caffeine and How to Choose
4 min read By Mataye
In brief
Mushroom coffee is ordinary coffee blended with powdered mushrooms such as lion's mane and reishi. Here is what is in it, how it tastes, how much caffeine it has and who should skip it.
Mushroom coffee is ordinary coffee mixed with powdered, edible mushrooms such as lion's mane, reishi, cordyceps and chaga. It is not made from mushrooms instead of coffee beans, it is not a "magic" mushroom product, and it does not taste of mushrooms. Most versions, ours included, are instant: you stir a spoonful into hot water or milk.
What is in it
A typical blend has three parts: coffee, mushroom powder or extract, and sometimes a sweetener or flavour. In Mataye Mushroom Coffee each 6 g serving contains:
- Arabica and robusta instant coffee (how they differ)
- 700 mg each of lion's mane, reishi, cordyceps, chaga and shiitake, from the fruiting body
- Erythritol, a sweetener with almost no calories
A 180 g bag holds 30 servings at 22.8 kcal each. It is vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO and halal certified.
Fruiting body or mycelium?
When you compare brands, check which part of the mushroom they use. The fruiting body is the part you would recognise as a mushroom. Some cheaper powders use mycelium, the root-like network, grown on rice or oats, so part of what you pay for is grain. A label that says "fruiting body" answers that question.
The five mushrooms at a glance
| Mushroom | Traditional use | Evidence in people | Read more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lion's mane | Food and traditional Chinese medicine | A few small trials on memory, focus and mood | lion's mane coffee, lion's mane benefits |
| Reishi | Traditional Chinese medicine, rest | Small, mixed studies | reishi mushroom, reishi benefits |
| Cordyceps | Tibetan and Chinese medicine, stamina | Small trials on exercise, mixed | cordyceps |
| Chaga | Folk tea in Russia and Northern Europe | Almost none; lab studies | chaga mushroom |
| Shiitake | Everyday food in East Asia | A few small diet studies | Covered in mushroom coffee benefits |
What does it taste like?
Like instant coffee, a little earthier and less sharp. The mushrooms add a mild, cocoa-like depth rather than a mushroom flavour. With milk it tastes close to a normal latte. It also works iced: dissolve it in a splash of hot water, then add cold milk and ice.
Does mushroom coffee have caffeine?
Yes, unless it is made with decaf. The caffeine comes from the coffee in the blend; the mushrooms contain none. We go through the numbers in does mushroom coffee have caffeine.
Is mushroom coffee good for you?
The honest answer: it is a coffee you may enjoy, not a medicine. Lion's mane, reishi, cordyceps and chaga have a long history of traditional use in East Asia and Eastern Europe, and researchers are studying them, but most studies so far are in cells or animals and the human trials are small. No health claims are authorised for these mushrooms in the UK, so be wary of any brand that promises better memory, immunity or weight loss.
What you can say with confidence: it is an easy swap for your usual instant coffee, and it puts the mushrooms in a format that is simple to have every day. Want the detail on each one? Read mushroom coffee benefits: what the evidence says, or our guides to lion's mane, reishi and cordyceps.
Mushroom coffee vs regular coffee
| Mushroom coffee | Regular instant coffee | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine | Same as the coffee in the blend; often less per cup (Mataye: 45 mg per serving) | About 100 mg a mug (NHS) |
| Taste | Smoother, slightly earthy | Sharper, more bitter |
| Extras | Mushroom powders, sometimes a sweetener | None |
| Price per cup | Higher: around 80p to £1.50 | Usually a few pence to 20p |
| Proven health benefit | Alertness, from the caffeine | Alertness, from the caffeine |
Thinking of a different drink altogether? Yerba mate gives a similar caffeine lift with a grassy taste; see our yerba mate guide and coffee alternatives sorted by caffeine.
Who should skip it
- Children, because it contains caffeine.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding. The NHS advises no more than 200 mg of caffeine a day in pregnancy, and there is little safety data on mushroom extracts. Ask your midwife or GP first.
- If you take medication (for example blood thinners, diabetes or blood pressure medicine) or have a medical condition. Reishi and chaga in particular may interact with some medicines, so check with a pharmacist or doctor.
- If you are allergic to mushrooms.
How to make it
- Add one 6 g serving (about a tablespoon) to a mug.
- Pour over 200 to 250 ml of hot water or milk.
- Stir until smooth. Add milk or sweetener if you like.
Buying mushroom coffee in the UK
You will now find it in health shops and supermarkets, from roughly £8 to £40 a bag. To compare fairly, look at:
- Price per serving, not per bag
- How much of each mushroom is in a serving (many blends do not say)
- Fruiting body or mycelium
- Added sugar
Our full checklist for choosing the best mushroom coffee in the UK goes through each point. Mataye Mushroom Coffee is £25.99 for 30 servings, with free UK delivery and 30-day returns on unopened bags.
Common questions
Does mushroom coffee taste of mushrooms?
No. It tastes like a smooth instant coffee with a slight cocoa-like depth.
Can I drink mushroom coffee every day?
Most healthy adults can, keeping total caffeine under 400 mg a day (EFSA). Check with a pharmacist if you take medicines, especially blood thinners or diabetes medicine.
Does mushroom coffee help with weight loss?
There is no good evidence that it does. See mushroom coffee benefits for what the research shows.
When is the best time to drink it?
In the morning or early afternoon, like regular coffee, because of the caffeine.
Fasting? Read our guide to coffee and Ramadan.
Safety first: mushroom coffee side effects and is erythritol safe?
Read next: ganoderma coffee, how to make mushroom coffee.
Sources
- NHS, Foods to avoid in pregnancy: caffeine
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, About Herbs: lion's mane, reishi, cordyceps, chaga
