Mushroom Coffee: Marketing Gimmick or Real Deal?
Mushroom coffee has become incredibly popular, with claims of boosting memory, mood, digestion, energy and more. While functional mushrooms do offer genuine health benefits, many products don’t live up to the hype.
Most mushroom coffees on the market contain only trace amounts of mushroom extracts, making it hard to experience the benefits these mushrooms are known for. Instead, they’re often filled with oils, sugars, and other additives—far from the health-focused product they claim to be. If you’re serious about adding mushrooms to your daily routine, it’s crucial to choose a product that delivers on quality.
If you want to learn more about the health benefits of mushrooms in general, check out our learn section!
Good products are transparent about their contents. If they got the the “goods”, they’ll let you know! They should mention either:
Quantities of bioactive compounds present (these are the compounds known to have therapeutic benefits). This could mean a beta-glucan content of at least 200-400 mg per serving or high levels of cordycepin, ganoderic acid, erinacine, etc.
or
That they are using 100% fruiting body extracts at dosages between 500 and 2000 mg. Generally speaking, 1000 mg is recommended as a good base level for high-quality extracts. Consider that many extracts are low quality, so look for 100% fruiting body.
If products are not clear about their contents, they cannot be trusted. Period.
Mushroom Coffees Comparisons
| Brand | 100% Fruit Body | Lion’s Mane | Chaga | Reishi | Cordyceps | Other Supplements | Cost Per Serving | Recommended? |
| Mud/WTR | No | 560 mg | 560 mg | 560 mg | 560 mg | Turmeric (420 mg), (Cinnamon 500 mg), Sea Salt (20 mg) | $1.33 – $2.00 USD | No |
| Comment: Mud/WTR is a coffee alternative made with Cocoa. They also offer other beverages. Their product is made with a mycelium-based supplement and at relatively low doses. | ||||||||
| RYZE | No | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | King Trumpet (N/A), Shiitake (N/A), Turkey Tail (N/A), MCT Oil | $1.00 – $1.20 USD | No |
| Comment: RYZE does not disclose the quantity of extracts used, although it is a mycelium-based extract. The lack of transparency and use of mycelium-based supplements makes them not recommendable. | ||||||||
| Everyday Dose | Yes | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | L-Theanine, Amino Acid Stack (4725 mg) | $1.00 – $1.20 USD | No |
| Comment: Everyday Dose is a protein enriched mushroom coffee made with fruiting body extracts of Lion’s Mane and Chaga. They do not disclose the quantity of extract used in their product. | ||||||||
| OM Mushroom Coffee Blend | No | N/A | 0 mg | N/A? | N/A | Coffee Fruit Extract, Ginkgo Biloba | $1.87 – $2.20 USD | No |
| Comment: The OM Mushroom Coffee website displays conflicting information, with some images showing supplement facts including Reishi and Turkey Tail while others don’t. The extracts used are mycelium based. They claim 2000mg of mushroom extracts per serving. | ||||||||
| La Republica Mushroom Coffee | Yes | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Shiitake, Maitake, Turkey Tail | $0.57 – $0.62 USD | No |
| Comment | This is one of the most popular brands on Amazon. They use fruiting body extracts, although they do not disclose the quantity per serving (which is 2 grams total including coffee). They also have a “Hirie” addition which is a higher dose and contains 8:1 extracts. | |||||||
| Real Mushrooms Chocolate Mix | Yes | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Cacao, Coconut Sugar | $1.66 USD | YES – Best Quality |
| Comment: Real Mushrooms is the direct-to-consumer company of the large Mushroom Extract company NAMMEX (North American Mushroom Extracts). Each serving includes 500 mg of their 5 Defenders Extract. They also offer a coffee creamer with 500 mg of their extract. | ||||||||
| Genius Brew | No | 67 mg | 167 mg | 217 mg | 217 mg | Maitake (167 mg), Turkey Tail (167 mg), Turmeric (200 mg), Maca (500 mg), Dynamite (200 mg), Caffeine (35 mg) | $1.20 – $1.50 USD | No |
| Comment: This is one of the more popular brands on Amazon, which also uses mycelium-based extracts. | ||||||||
| Rainbow Dust | Yes* | 1,000 mg 5:1 extract* | 1,000 mg 4:1 extract* | 0 mg | 1,000 mg 4:1 extract* | Pantothenic Acid (B5, 6 mg), Maca Root (250 mg), Caffeine (80 mg), Rhodiola (25 mg). Cacao, Stevia | $1.12 – $1.33 USD | No |
| Comment: This is a product full of red flags. To begin, the dosage seems too good to be true for the cost. Either the claims surrounding the extracts are completely fake, or they are of some unfathomable low-quality extracts. It is economically unfathomable. Second, the website seems to contain an absurd quantity of what look like false reviews. | ||||||||
| Nootropics Depot Mushroom Coffee | Yes | 500 mg | 0 mg | 0 mg | 500 mg | Poria Extract (500 mg), Tigers Milk Extract (150 mg) | $1.33 USD | YES – Best Quality |
| Comment: Nootropics Depot is a well trusted brand that offers very high quality products. Their mushroom coffee is no exception. With 1650 mg of high-quality extracts per serving, it’s probably the most effective mushroom coffee supplement. | ||||||||
| Mad Dandy Mushroom Coffee | No | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $1.33 USD | N/A |
| Comment: This is a low-caffeine mushroom coffee made with both instant coffee and dandelion root. The company does not disclose the dosage of medicinal mushrooms in their products, nor the quality of the extracts. Their ingredients list Mono and Diglycerides, Dipottasium Phosphate, Soy Lecithin, Sucralose, “Natural Flavors”, and Beef Collagen (not veg-friendly) before they list any of their extracts. | ||||||||
| Ecmeraki Mushroom Coffee | No | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $1.33 USD | N/A | |
| Comment: This ground mushroom coffee offers no transparency regarding their dosages or quality of extracts. The extracts they sell also appear to be of myceliated grain. | ||||||||
So, whats the best mushroom coffee?
While there are numerous brands offering quality products, our personal recommendation is to purchase quality supplements and add them into your morning routine yourself. This way you know what you’re getting and how much. It’s also cheaper, and allows you to incorporate better ingredients into your routine. For example, if you are a coffee drinker it’s best to consume fresh ground coffee which is rich in anti-oxidants as oppose to the highly processed instant stuff you find in mushroom coffees.
Recommended Brands
Below are brands that have been vetted for quality and transparency. We recommend any of the products produced by these brands, as they each follow research-based and analytical protocols. The products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Any information given is not intended to replace medical advice offered by licensed medical physicians. Please consult your doctor or health practitioner for any medical advice. We endorse these brands due to their good business practices, and we may receive a comission on any purchase made via these links. We appreciate your support.
Real Mushrooms (USA)
Real Mushrooms are pioneers in the mushroom supplement industry and the direct-to-consumer outlet of NAMMEX (North American Mushroom Extracts). NAMMEX is a bulk distributor that sells a large portion of other supplement brands. This is one reason Real Mushrooms is very competitive in the supplement market. Their products are made with 100% fruiting bodies, USDA Organic, and are analyzed for bioactive compounds. They maintain close relationships with their growers, their customers, and the wider mushroom community.
Nootropics Depot (USA)
Nootropics Depot is a well-trusted source for many different types of supplements. They are 100% transparent and offer very well done COA´s on all of their products. On top of the standard powders/capsules, they also offer specialized extracts with higher concentrations of bioactive compounds. Their Erinamax Lion’s Mane supplement is one of the only products on the market made with mycelium derived from submerged fermentation and standardized for the content in Erinacine A.
Purest Mushrooms (USA)
Purest Mushrooms is a relative newcomer in the supplement market that offers high-quality extracts. Their supplier partners directly with mushroom growers to source high-quality materials. All their products are quality tested and analyzed for bioactive compounds. COAs of all their products can be found directly on their website.
Antioxi (UK)
Antioxi is one of the most trusted mushroom supplement companies based out of the UK. They provide test results on all their products, many of which have astounding levels of bioactive compounds. While it´s relatively unheard of outside of the UK, it is one of the top-brands advocated for by the medicinal mushroom community in the UK.
Dr.Noels (Austrailia)
The most well-known and highly trusted mushroom supplements coming out of Austrailia. Dr.Noel is very well known in the herbalist community and his products are considered to be of exceptional quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mushroom coffee?
Mushroom coffee is a blend of regular coffee and powdered medicinal mushrooms like Lion’s Mane, Reishi, or Turkey Tail. These mushrooms are known for their potential health benefits, such as supporting focus, immunity, and overall well-being.
Does mushroom coffee taste like mushrooms?
Not really! Most mushroom coffees taste like regular coffee, with subtle earthy undertones depending on the type of mushroom used. High-quality blends are crafted to maintain a smooth, enjoyable flavor.
Are there any side effects of drinking mushroom coffee?
Mushroom coffee is generally safe for most people. However, those with mushroom allergies or specific health conditions should consult a doctor before consuming. Overuse may lead to mild digestive discomfort in some cases.
What are the benefits of mushroom coffee?
Mushroom coffee is believed to improve focus, support immunity, reduce stress, and promote gut health. These benefits depend on the type and quantity of mushroom extracts included in the product.
Can I drink mushroom coffee every day?
Yes, most people can safely enjoy mushroom coffee daily. It’s best to follow the recommended serving size on the product label and listen to your body.
Is mushroom coffee better than regular coffee?
Mushroom coffee isn’t necessarily “better” but offers different benefits. It may have less caffeine and added health-supporting compounds from mushrooms, making it a good choice for those seeking a functional alternative.
Does mushroom coffee contain caffeine?
Most mushroom coffee blends contain caffeine, but typically less than regular coffee. There are also caffeine-free options available, depending on the brand.
How is mushroom coffee made?
Mushroom coffee is made by blending ground coffee with powdered extracts of medicinal mushrooms. These extracts are usually derived from the fruiting bodies of mushrooms and sometimes combined with other functional ingredients.
Where can I buy quality mushroom coffee?
You can find high-quality mushroom coffee in our product comparison section, where we review and rank the top brands based on ingredients, potency, and taste.
Is mushroom coffee healthy?
It depends on the product. A high-quality mushroom coffee may be able to improve your health and help prevent/treat certain conditions.