The fungi-infused beverage is a hit among celebrities and health-conscious shoppers. A stroll through your local health food store or a glance at TikTok shows you can’t swing a stick without running into mushroom coffee—from lion’s mane lattes to chaga cappuccinos, these blends promise a smooth shift to alertness with none of the caffeine jitters and energy crashes of traditional coffee. And they boast a long list of purported benefits: Medicinal mushrooms (cordyceps, chaga, reishi, lion’s mane, turkey tail, and agaricus) are known to boost the immune system, help regulate metabolism, increase energy, and even slow down aging.
GB Mushroom Coffee coffee mixes use dried, extracted mushrooms that are blended into regular coffee to create a drink that tastes just like instant coffee. It’s a mix that can be enjoyed hot or cold, with milk or milk alternatives and sweeteners as desired. The taste varies from brand to brand, though it tends to be earthy and not as rich or flavorful as a cup of regular coffee.
How Mushroom Coffee Boosts Focus and Mental Clarity
Medicinal mushrooms also contain anti-inflammatory and adaptogenic properties that may reduce stress, improve mental clarity and memory, and aid in digestion and sleep. They are also high in antioxidants and may help prevent heart disease and cancer.
But research supporting many of the claims made by the makers of these mushroom brews is lacking. Plus, it’s unclear whether the drying, extraction, and brewing processes used to make mushroom coffee preserve or even deliver the same health benefits of the raw mushrooms.
