The Clean Plates Mushroom Coffee Taste Test, Updated for 2024

July 19, 2024

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Coffee is one of those always controversial things — some insist it’s good for us, others that we have to try to cut back or give it up. If it’s a critical part of your morning, you’re in good company: 73% of Americans drink coffee every day. And, in the right amount for you, it does have its benefits; coffee is linked with reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, heart failure, colon cancer, and Parkinson’s disease. But just in case you’re still worried, there’s an easy way to make it even healthier: Try mushroom coffee.

Mushroom coffee, which has been on the market for a while now, but has gained in popularity over the years, is coffee with medicinal mushrooms added, such as reishi, lion’s mane, and chaga. Typically the mushrooms are either ground in, or manufacturers use mushroom extracts. The coffees maintain their coffee flavor and you usually don’t taste the mushrooms. We tasted several and looked into their health claims to bring you four good options.

Is mushroom coffee actually good for you?

The companies that make mushroom coffee offer a lot of claims, including sharper focus, reduced stress, improved sleep, boosted mood, and more. Because many brands of mushroom coffee have less caffeine than a typical cup, that can help with the jitters and interrupted sleep some people experience from coffee.

It’s possible that mushroom coffee confers the other benefits claimed by the manufacturers, but research is needed to confirm that.

One thing to note: The extract of mushrooms is stronger than the powder form. As such, if you’re going to drink a coffee that contains mushroom extracts, it’s important to check with your healthcare provider first, especially if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or have kidney or digestive issues.

What is an adaptogenic mushroom?

According to Ayurveda, an ancient Indian medical practice, stress can lead to a variety of ailments including chronic inflammation, depression, premature aging, and cancer. Adaptogens like herbs and mushrooms help the body adapt to stressors, strengthen our bodies’ stress responses, and restore balance when used consistently over time. Modern science is beginning to catch up with the wisdom about adaptogens within Ayurveda and Chinese medicine. Here are three common adaptogenic mushrooms frequently used in mushroom coffee.

Lion’s mane: Some studies show this mushroom may have benefits for heart, brain, and gut health, though more research is needed. The mushroom is not recommended for those living with diabetes, if you’re undergoing surgery, or have a bleeding condition (it can slow blood clots).
Reishi: This is a tough and woody fungus with a bitter taste. Research shows that beta-glucans in reishi stimulate the immune system in animals and may have an antitumor effect. It’s also been used for the treatment of other health conditions including Alzheimer’s, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. However, there isn’t enough scientific evidence to support these and additional uses for reishi. It is not recommended for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you’re undergoing surgery, or if you have a bleeding condition (it can slow blood clots) or low blood pressure.
Chaga: This mushroom has been used to treat heart disease, diabetes, some forms of cancer, liver disease, and stomach pain — though more research is needed to determine its effectiveness. Chaga is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding, for people with autoimmune diseases like lupus or multiple sclerosis, or for folks with diabetes or bleeding disorders.

What is the best mushroom coffee?

After taste testing several mushroom coffees, these were our favorites.

Four Sigmatic Organic Coffee

This company offers different options for coffee, with varying combinations of mushrooms for different results (e.g., Think, Happy Gut, Focus, Balance, etc.). Our favorite was Think, a dark roast with lion’s mane extract and chaga extract, both organic. The brand claims that drinking one cup daily will help support enhanced mental focus, boost energy, and confer long-term positive mood.

Due to the dark roast with notes of dark chocolate, you don’t taste any mushrooms. It tastes pretty much like a cup of regular coffee. It’s also certified organic, with 150 mg of caffeine per 12-ounce cup. The coffee is pre-ground and ready to use in a drip coffee maker, French press, or pour-over. Four Sigmatic also offers instant coffees.

Buy it: Four Sigmatic Think Ground Coffee, $16 for a 12-ounce bag

Laird Focus Medium Roast Ground Coffee

Ingredients in this functional coffee blend include organic Peruvian coffee, coffee cherry powder, organic Lion’s Mane mushroom extract, and Rhodiola extract. You don’t taste the mushrooms in this medium-bodied coffee, which has about 100 mg of caffeine per 12-ounce cup. It works for drip coffee, French press, and cold brew.

Buy it: Laird Focus Medium Roast Ground Coffee, $19 for a 12-ounce bag

Clevr Coffee SuperLatte

This coffee blend is made with organic oatmilk powder, organic coconut cream powder, monk fruit blend (with erythritol), organic instant Arabica coffee, organic ashwagandha extract, organic lion’s mane extract, and organic reishi extract. The coffee is certified organic, fair trade, and grown by majority women-led and women-farmed operations, where workers are paid 150% higher wages than fair trade requirements. The mushrooms are also organic.

Because it’s a latte, this coffee has a milky taste and light coffee flavor compared to the others, and it’s sweetened. The coffee is gluten-free and vegan, and contains heat-resistant probiotics and no refined sugar. Combine 3 tablespoons with 6 to 8 ounces of hot water, or have it iced by mixing 3 tablespoons with 5 ounces of water and pouring over ice. One serving has 50 mg of caffeine.

Buy it: Clevr Coffee SuperLatte, $28 for a 12-ounce container (14 lattes)

Everyday Dose Mushroom Coffee+

This mushroom coffee is designated as a supplement, while the others are foods. This means that it is not regulated by the FDA. Ingredients include hydrolyzed bovine collagen peptides, coffee bean extract, L-theanine, organic chaga, and organic lion’s mane. It has 45 mg of caffeine per serving.

The flavor is less coffee-like compared to all the other brands and it has a mushroom flavor to it. It’s dairy free and gluten free. To make a cup, add 1 scoop of the mushroom coffee to your mug with 3 to 7 ounces of water, froth it for 20 to 30 seconds, and add milk of choice, ice, and/or sweetener.

Buy it: Everyday Dose Mushroom Coffee+, $27 for a 7.4-ounce package (30 servings)

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