Is mushroom coffee a healthier alternative to your morning cappuccino? The GHI investigates
Starting your morning with a mushroom macchiato may not sound like the most appealing prospect, but the 'shroom boom is officially in full swing. Just stroll through your local health food store or scroll through social media and you can’t move for fungi-infused brews, from lion’s mane lattes to chaga cappuccinos.
On TikTok, the hashtag ‘mushroom coffee’ has ver 40,000 posts to date and according to research, the global market for mushroom coffee is expected to reach a mega $4 billion by 2030. Celeb aficionados include Kourtney Kardashian, Gwyneth Paltrow and Meghan Markle, who has even invested in California-based superfood latte company Clevr Blends.
Dubbed a healthier alternative to your daily flat white, fans claim you get all the energy-boosting benefits of caffeine, along with a slew of extra health benefits.
But is it really a wellness wonder drink or just another fad? Our Good Housekeeping Institute experts enlisted the help of two nutritionists, along with a panel of testers, to find out.
Meet the experts: Rachel Butcher is an AfN and SENr registered nutritionist with over 15 years’ experience in the health and fitness industry. She has a bachelor’s degree in sports science, a master’s degree in human nutrition and is head of nutrition at Third Space London.
Georgia Chilton, senior nutrition manager at Fresh Fitness Food, holds a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, a master’s degree in sports and exercise nutrition and has over nine years of industry experience.
The best mushroom coffees for 2025
What is mushroom coffee?
Button, porcini and chestnut may spring to mind, but these superfood drinks aren’t made from the kind of mushrooms you find in your local supermarket. We’re not talking about magic mushrooms that make you hallucinate, either.
“Mushroom coffee is made with adaptogenic mushrooms such as lion’s mane, chaga, cordyceps and reishi, blended with the coffee you know and love,” explains nutritionist Rachel Butcher.
You’ll often find healthy extras like maca, ashwagandha, Siberian ginseng and CBD on the ingredients list, too.
Why switch to mushroom coffee?
If you’re sensitive to caffeine or simply trying to reduce your intake, mushroom blends are worth considering. “They typically contain around half the amount of caffeine you’d find in a regular coffee,” says Butcher.
This means you’re potentially less likely to experience jittery feelings, a throbbing headache or an energy slump after slurping your morning coffee.
For those who want to avoid caffeine completely, there are a range of decaf options out there, like Sixways' Hormone Balance blend.
Then there’s the fungi feel-good effect. The adaptogens found in mushroom coffee – which have been used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for thousands of years – are claimed to help manage stress, calm an overactive sympathetic nervous system and support your overall wellbeing.
According to research by the Swedish Herbal Institute, adaptogens work on our central nervous system to reduce the amount of cortisol and adrenaline pumping around the body. They may help our bodies manage stress better and restore balance.
What are the downsides of mushroom coffee?
Despite the anecdotal evidence, Butcher points out that research into the medicinal properties of many adaptogens is lacking. Many of the studies conducted are small and either carried out on animals or test tubes. “That’s not to say that they don’t do anything, but it’s important to note that clinical evidence is limited,” she explains.
It’s also unclear whether mushroom-laced coffees contain high enough doses of adaptogens to have any real effect.
While they’re generally considered safe, they may not be suitable for everyone. “Some mushrooms interact with medications, so if you’re taking anything or have an underlying health condition, consult your doctor before introducing mushroom coffee into your regime,” advises Butcher.
How we test
To find the fungi-filled beverages worth considering, we enlisted the help of Butcher and Chilton to put a range of market-leading brews to the test.
They analysed the mushroom blends based on a range of factors, including quality of ingredients, nutritional make-up and formulation, judging them against their claims.
We also sent each product out to a panel of testers, who used them daily over a seven-day period, before reporting back on ease of use, drinkability and, crucially, whether they experienced any benefits or unwanted side effects.
Back at the GHI, our expert food team taste tested them all – because no one wants to start their day with a tepid, watery brew – and let us know how they found each drink’s flavour, texture and aroma.
Focus Mushroom Coffee
Score: 94/100
According to OYL, this is “mushroom coffee that actually tastes amazing”, and after testing it, we have to agree. Panellists were blown away by the “smooth, aromatic taste” with notes of dark chocolate, nuts and caramel.
Flavour aside, it also impressed on the performance front. “After drinking it, I felt refreshed and focused,” said one tester, while another added: “It had the short-term effect of making me feel more energised.”
The only ground option in our round-up, this blend features 100% speciality grade arabica coffee along with lion’s mane, cordyceps and reishi mushrooms, and can be used with a V60, AeroPress, Chemex, cafetière or moka pot. The mushrooms are hand-picked and certified organic, plus the packaging is fully recyclable.
The expert verdict: Chilton noted that this coffee is made using the fruiting bodies of the mushrooms, which are generally regarded as the most valuable part. She also highlights that OYL’s concentration of active compounds, which are extracted from the mushrooms, is much higher than many others on the market. This suggests the effects of the mushrooms included will be more potent.
The Wellness Blend
Score: 89/100
We love Innermost’s great tasting protein powders at the Good Housekeeping Institute, and the brand’s mushroom coffee proved just as popular. It combines Ethiopian Arabica coffee with a potent blend of chaga, tremella, shiitake, maitake, reishi and cordyceps mushrooms to “provide a balanced energy boost without the jitters.”
Sure enough, testers noted improvements to their energy levels, with one saying, “The crash effect was noticeably less compared to my usual black coffee,” and another commenting: “I felt energetic for hours with no energy crash.”
Though slightly earthy in taste, panel members thought the flavour was pleasant, with hints of cocoa and bitter coffee. They rated the smooth consistency, too.
The expert verdict: Butcher praised the high quality ingredients included in the Wellness Blend, adding that it would make a good alternative to your usual afternoon brew to prevent that dreaded slump. She did highlight, however, that while there is some evidence to show the beneficial effects of adaptogens – particularly cordyceps from an immunity perspective – research is still in its infancy.
Flow Blend
Score: 89/100
Our joint winner from London Nootropics scored highly for ease of use – you get 12 sachets in the beautifully designed box, so you can easily slip them in your bag and take them to the office or on holiday with you.
The Flow Blend features barista-style Arabica coffee, lion’s mane and rhodiola rosea (a medicinal plant that’s been used to treat fatigue and the effects of stress) and, according to the brand, it will help you “discover motivation, mental clarity and focus,” and “reduce procrastination.”
It went down a treat with our panel, who thought the aroma and flavour was delicious and appreciated the lack of earthy, mushroom aftertaste. One tester even said they preferred it to their usual instant coffee. They also felt it gave them a sustained boost of energy, with less slumps and crashes. “There was a distinct difference in how I felt afterwards,” reported one tester, while another was so impressed, they ordered more boxes.
The expert verdict: Another option with a short ingredients list and no artificial flavourings or preservatives. As each serving contains between 80 to 110mg of caffeine – which is similar to an average cup of regular coffee – Butcher believes it’s best for the mornings or early afternoons. “It could still impact your sleep quality if taken too late in the day,” she notes.
Wake Mushroom Coffee
Score: 88/100
Free Soul’s mushroom coffee was a viral hit on social media, but does it live up to the hype? It certainly proved popular with our panel, with testers noting “a sustained energy boost throughout the day,” and “enhanced function without the usual crashes”.
The Wake blend is packed with four functional mushrooms and a fistful of adaptogens including stress-busting Ashwagandha, turmeric (known for its anti-inflammatory properties) and maca (said to improve mood and support hormone balance). It also includes Arabica coffee, cinnamon, cocoa, and Himalayan pink salt.
Though full to the brim with fungi, testers said it smelt and tasted like normal coffee, with some added “festive” and “spicy” notes from the cinnamon and turmeric. “I’d happily continue using it,” said one satisfied tester.
The expert verdict: Free Soul’s mushroom coffee includes an array of strong adaptogens and is free from artificial flavours and sweeteners. Butler does point out, however, that more isn’t necessarily better when it comes to functional products. “Ideally, I'd suggest introducing individual adaptogenic ingredients to see how your body responds,” she says. If it's your first foray into mushroom coffee, you may want to start with one containing less adaptogens and see how you feel.
Think Organic Coffee
Score: 88/100
Another top choice for portability and ease of use, these travel-friendly sachets from Finnish-US company Four Sigmatic (one of the original mushroom coffee brands on the market) have an organic ingredients list that includes medium roast instant coffee, lion’s mane extract, chaga extract and rhodiola extract. The blend promises “enhanced mental focus”.
It earned a thumbs up from our panellists for its mild, mellow flavour (which didn’t taste like mushrooms), classic coffee aroma and smooth consistency. “I liked the taste and found it was quite close to a normal instant coffee,” said one tester. Another thought it was “very easy to drink.”
Prefer French press over instant coffee? The brand also offers a ground mushroom coffee alternative.
The expert verdict: This blend contains 50mg of caffeine, around half the amount of your usual coffee, so it’s one to reach for when you’re craving a cappuccino after lunch. It boasts organic ingredients, including 250mg wood-grown lion’s mane, 250mg of wild-harvested Siberian chaga and organic rhodiola rosea.
Third Aid Kit
Score: 88/100
Not a replacement for your black Americano, this superfood blend from Raise & Replenish tastes more like a creamy chai latte, with fragrant notes of turmeric, ginger and cinnamon coming through. The strong spicy flavour wasn’t for everyone but if you’re a fan of turmeric lattes, it will be right up your alley.
It's been created to help you “recover and revive from the inside" with a healthy dose of vitamin C, turmeric, ginger, black pepper, cumin and Acerola cherry, plus reishi and shiitake mushroom extracts.
Testers found it “cosy and comforting” to drink in the afternoons and evenings, post-exercise or before bed. “It was a good pick-me-up after a hard track session,” one tester told us. They wouldn’t reach for it first thing in the morning, however.
Everyone liked the quality packaging and handy measuring scoop, which made whizzing up their drink easier. They recommended using a milk frother and adding a dash of honey for some sweetness.
The expert verdict: If you’re after a comforting, caffeine-free drink to replace your afternoon double-shot latte, it’s a good choice. According to Butcher, emerging research suggests that turmeric has strong anti-inflammatory properties and can potentially help reduce post-exercise soreness. However, it has poor bioavailability (it’s not easily absorbed by the body), and more research is needed.
Honest Mushrooms
Score: 87/100
We’re huge fans of Verve’s greens powder, and its fungi-filled offering also performed well in testing. Unlike the other products in this round-up, it doesn’t contain any coffee (caffeinated or decaf); instead, it packs 12,400mg of medicinal mushrooms and a handful of other adaptogens. You can add the fine mushroom powder to your beverage of choice, whether it’s a latte, smoothie or some hot or cold water.
Our sceptical testers, who were initially concerned about slurping mushrooms, were instantly won over. “It smells like chocolate and tastes even better,” said one happy panel member, while another told us: “There was no heavy mushroom taste, just cocoa with depth.” They also praised the texture, saying it dissolved well in water and milk, without any clumps or residue.
Performance-wise, some testers noticed a “boost” in their energy levels after consuming it, while others thought it had a “slightly calming effect.” It might be pricey, but the quality of ingredients is impressive, it tastes delicious and it’s extremely versatile.
Expert verdict: Honest Mushrooms delivers a high dose of organic, sustainably sourced mushrooms along with other popular adaptogens. It’s free from fillers, additives and artificial flavours and, unlike many products on the market, has been tested by a third party to check the purity and potency of ingredients.
Mushroom Coffee Super Blend
Score: 87/100
With celeb fans including Charlotte Tilbury, Ellie Goulding and Benedict Cumberbatch, Dirtea has made a name for itself with its pure, potent functional mushroom powders. Its Surperblend goes big on adaptogens, with 1000mg of lion’s mane, chaga and tremella mushrooms, plus Ashwagandha and maca powder, blended with 100% Arabica coffee. It promises “increased energy levels without a caffeine crash.”
Our testers certainly noticed a difference, with one claiming, “It was easier to concentrate at work,” and another saying: “It left me feeling refreshed and relaxed.” No one experienced any unwanted side effects, either.
In terms of taste, the high mushroom content means it is a tad earthy and may take a little getting used to. It wasn’t unpleasant, though, with one tester even describing it as “soothing and beautiful.” We recommend mixing it up with hot water and your favourite plant-based milk for a creamy morning latte.
Expert verdict: Dirtea’s Superblend has a short, all-organic ingredients list and features a strong mix of functional mushrooms and adaptogens. With a gentle 50mg of caffeine, it’s one for mornings and afternoon. As with Free Soul’s Wake option above, Butcher offers a reminder that taking multiple adaptogens at once isn’t always better.
Check out our senior wellness writer's full Dirtea review.
Hormone Balance Mushroom Blend
Score: 86/100
If you’re looking to cut out caffeine completely, consider this decaf blend from Sixways, which is designed to “support regulated hormones and sustained energy”. It’s packed with adaptogens including myo-inositol, maitake mushrooms and maca root along with ginger root, cocoa powder, stevia and a blend of vitamins and minerals.
Multiple testers said they felt calm and relaxed after drinking their brews and would happily purchase the blend again. One panel member described it as a “happy substitute” for their usual afternoon cuppa.
They were also impressed with the taste, which is rich with cocoa and slightly earthy with a chocolatey aftertaste. “It wasn’t bitter at all, and I didn’t have to add any sweetener,” said one tester. Just note, it does require some vigorous stirring to get rid of the lumps.
Expert verdict: This is a reliable pick for those who are trying to steer clear of caffeine completely. According to Chilton, myo-inositol has been shown to have some beneficial metabolic and hormonal effects, however research into the advantages of adaptogens is still limited.
The verdict on mushroom coffees
If you're looking to reduce your caffeine intake and want to give mushroom coffee a whirl, consider our winner, OYL Focus Mushroom Coffee, which tastes delicious, smells like classic coffee and is bursting with benefits.
The Innermost's Wellness Blend proved popular with our testers, who said it gave them an energy boost without any of the caffeine jitters, while London Nootropics' Flow Blend scored highly for taste and aroma.
If you want to cut out caffeine completely, Sixways' Hormone Balance Blend is for you, and if convenience is key, Four Sigmatic's travel-friendly sachets are ideal for chucking in your handbag.
Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute?
Kim Hawley, the Good Housekeeping Institute’s lead tester on mushroom coffees, has reviewed a vast range of wellness products, from greens powders to massage guns. She is a level 4 qualified personal trainer, has a nutrition qualification and has worked in leading health clubs across the UK, so she knows what to look for in a wellness supplement.
Our senior health and wellbeing writer, Priyankaa Joshi, is also an expert in her field, with over six years’ experience in health and wellness journalism, during which she has written about hundreds of products (and tested many herself too).
At the GHI, our experts review thousands of products every year to find the very best on the market, from air fryers and mattresses to hair dryers. We put each product through rigorous testing, both in real-world and lab conditions, to provide unbiased reviews you can rely on.
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