NANCY SNYDER FOR TASTE OF HOME
NANCY SNYDER FOR TASTE OF HOME
Pros:
-
1000 mg of lion's mane mushroom m per serving, cultivated naturally from fruiting bodies without fillers
-
Dark roast coffee tastes similar to regular coffee, providing 60 mg of caffeine per serving
-
USDA Organic
-
Fair Trade Certified
-
Website contains a mushroom certificate of analysis
Cons:
-
A handful of reviewers did not care for the taste
Here’s a coffee that works smarter, not harder: Shroomi’s blend contains 100% organic Arabica ground coffee beans and 1000 mg of brain-boosting, organic lion’s mane mushroom in every cup. As a champion for mental health awareness, Shroomi offers a line of mushroom coffees and shots to help deliver an array of health benefits from various mushroom blends.
I tested their dark roast with lion’s mane, which as their website states, is a mushroom that “has been clinically shown to naturally support memory, focus and concentration.” I found the taste comforting and similar to regular coffee, and I was pleasantly surprised to find I felt immediately energized, focused and in a positive mood. While the initial effects may be attributed to the caffeine content, I’m eager to fuel my brain every morning to reap the long-term benefits.
NANCY SNYDER FOR TASTE OF HOME
NANCY SNYDER FOR TASTE OF HOME
Pros:
-
Powerful mushroom blend that can be used with your current coffee brand
-
Strong antioxidant properties
-
Great taste
-
Zero calories and 0 grams of sugar
Cons:
-
Only contains one type of mushroom
Although it doesn’t contain coffee itself, ReNude’s Chagaccino Superfood Coffee Boost powder features a powerful blend of mushrooms and adaptogens that can be stirred into your favorite coffee or espresso.
A coffee powder is ideal for coffee enthusiasts who don’t want to give up their current blend, or for someone who wants the benefits of mushrooms without the caffeine. The immune-boosting powder features 500 mg of wild foraged chaga mushroom per serving, which contains 40 times more antioxidants than blueberries. Visit ReNude’s website for a full list of chaga benefits, which include stress relief, anti-aging properties and improved gut health.
I blended my chagaccino with my favorite cold brew and some plant-based milk over ice. While I felt the taste was fantastic, the instructions state that you can use less powder for a less sweet result (but who would want to do that?).
NANCY SNYDER FOR TASTE OF HOME
NANCY SNYDER FOR TASTE OF HOME
Pros:
-
Includes prebiotics and fiber to support digestion, increase good gut bacteria and help you feel full longer
-
Contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ingredients, as well as lion's mane and reishi mushroom extracts to help boost mood and immunity
-
Caffeine-free
-
Woman-owned and sourced from women farmers and producers
Cons:
-
Unique earthy flavor may not appeal to some who prefer the taste of traditional coffee
-
One of the pricier coffees on our list
Each serving of Velty’s instant coffee contains 4 grams of organic, gut-friendly ingredients to support digestion and, as their site states, “nurture the connection between mind and gut.” Since coffee can cause upset stomachs for some, it’s only natural that this gut-friendly digestif is also caffeine-free.
With ingredients such as Jerusalem artichoke inulin and mesquite powder, this does not taste like your ordinary coffee, but more like a comforting broth. If you can get past the unique flavor profile in exchange for a daily dose of gut-friendly ingredients and immune-boosting mushroom compounds, this may just be the coffee for you (we think you’ll be happy trusting your gut instincts on this one!)
NANCY SNYDER FOR TASTE OF HOME
What to Look for When Buying Mushroom Coffee
The number of mushroom coffees on the market today can be overwhelming. The whole point of looking for a mushroom coffee is to help relieve stress, not add to it, right? Here are a few important factors to consider to help make the process a little easier:
- Caffeine Content: First things first, are you looking to cut down on, or eliminate, your caffeine intake in exchange for more natural energy? Or do you still want to enjoy your daily cup of joe, but with the added health benefits of adaptogens? There are many mushroom coffee brands, so tackling this step first will help to narrow your options significantly. Some of the bigger mushroom coffee brands offer a variety of caffeine levels, while others, like Velty, offer a decaf version.
- Coffee Quality: For optimal taste (especially for the coffee connoisseurs out there), the quality of coffee beans used is also an important factor. Check the company website or packaging to learn how they source and cultivate their coffee beans. From there, select a roast that suits your preference. If you don’t want to shelf your current coffee, no problem! Opt for a mushroom powder like ReNude’s Chagaccino Superfood Coffee Boost, which can be added to your favorite coffee or espresso for an adaptogenic boost.
- Coffee Preparation: Just like regular coffee, you can purchase ground or instant (or even coffee pods) depending on your preference and needs. Purchase ground coffee for use in a drip coffee maker, French press or pour-over, or grab an instant version for convenience when on the go (or if you don’t want to hog the office coffee maker with your mushroom brew).
- Mushroom Type and Quantity: Depending on your intended use, select a coffee that contains a mushroom variety that will work for you. Chaga, reishi, turkey tail, shiitake and maitake have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that aid in immune support. Lion’s mane has been shown to help with focus and memory and promote brain health. Cordyceps has been touted for its ability to provide natural and sustained energy. While the quantity of mushroom content per coffee appears to range from 500-2000 mg per serving, selecting a coffee that utilizes the beneficial mushroom compounds from “fruiting bodies,” and not just the mycelium (i.e., root) is important.
- Ingredients: Before purchasing your mushroom brew, scan the ingredients to ensure there are no added fillers, unnecessary flavors or sweeteners. Some shroom brews may contain additional helpful ingredients, such as ashwagandha, prebiotics or healthy spices like turmeric or cinnamon. Lastly, if organic ingredients are important to you, look for a mushroom coffee that includes the USDA Organic Seal.
Of course, you’ll also want to consider the price when choosing the best mushroom coffee. In doing so, pay close attention to the serving size to determine how far your mushroom brew will get you.
Why You Should Trust Us
As a culinary dietitian, I have nearly a decade of experience working with restaurants and food manufacturers to provide nutrient analysis and label consulting for thousands of menu items and retail goods. As a result, I am no stranger to scrutinizing an ingredient statement or nutrition facts label to ensure our recommendations are quality products from reputable brands. Plus, as a daily coffee drinker on the hunt for great taste and sustained energy without unwanted jitters or crashes, I can discern the best flavor profiles while also evaluating each mushroom coffee brand’s reported effects.
NANCY SNYDER FOR TASTE OF HOME
How We Found the Best Mushroom Coffee
In researching and testing the best mushroom coffees, I found a curated coffee alternative blend for just about everyone, considering key factors such as taste, caffeine content and intended use (focus, energy, immunity and gut health—just to name a few).
I purchased a handy Cuisinart Coffeemaker & Hot Water System to test a variety of ground and instant coffee. This allows for brewing drip coffee, and the handy hot water dispenser allows me to conveniently dissolve instant coffee for a quick cup of joe.
I tested the coffee for 11, non-consecutive days (which I reserved for work days where I needed to focus) to evaluate taste and each mushroom coffee’s individual effects.
On day one, I made all 10 coffees. I evaluated and compared each based on their flavor profile without any added creamer, milk or sweeteners (except for ReNude’s Chagaccino, which is a mushroom powder that is to be added to regular coffee with the addition of plant-based milk and ice).
After that, I tested one mushroom coffee per workday and noted the favorable effects on energy (immediate and sustained), mood and ability to focus, as well as any potential unwanted effects from the caffeine content of some of the brands.
From my testing, I could narrow down the eight best mushroom coffee selections. Because no two mushroom coffee drinkers are alike, they have been ranked based on intended uses to find the right shroom brew for you.
FAQ
Is mushroom coffee good for you?
Mushrooms have long been touted for their medicinal and nutritional benefits on brain health, immunity support and digestion. Whether we can reap these same benefits from the dried and extracted mushrooms contained in these coffee brands is still being researched. That being said, most mushroom coffees contain less caffeine, which can positively change your daily routine. Caffeine, when consumed in high amounts or during unfavorable times of day, can increase cortisol (a hormone produced during times of stress), cause unwanted jitters or anxious feelings, and prevent you from getting decent sleep. On the other hand, mushroom coffees have been marketed for their ability to provide natural and sustained energy throughout the day without the crash.
While mushroom coffee can be enjoyed by many, those with difficulty digesting mushrooms should avoid it. Those with kidney issues or a history of kidney stones should consult with their doctor first (due to the oxalate content of some mushroom varieties).
Is mushroom coffee really beneficial?
Research on each mushroom type is still developing. Here are their reported health benefits:
- Lion’s Mane: One of the more common adaptogen extracts contained in mushroom coffee, lion’s mane has cognitive benefits, including improved focus, memory and mood.
- Chaga: This mushroom is rich in antioxidants (significantly greater than that of acai, pomegranate or blueberries) to help support immune function and overall well-being.
- Reishi: Contains health-promoting properties that provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.
- Cordyceps:Â As an adaptogen that helps relieve stress and fatigue, cordyceps improves energy, stamina and endurance.
- Turkey Tail: Like chaga and reishi, the turkey tail supports immune function and overall health.
- Shiitake: Rich in B vitamins, minerals and fiber, shiitake mushrooms offer immune-boosting benefits.
- Maitake:Â Rich in beta-glucans, maitake has favorable effects on cholesterol and cardiovascular health.