Love coffee, but looking to cut back on caffeine or boost the benefits of drinking it regularly? Try mushroom coffee — a trendy alternative that continues to gain popularity online and beyond. Made with functional mushrooms, the drink has been touted to have a variety of health benefits. Keep reading to learn what mushroom coffee is made from and if it actually benefits your health, plus get some good mushroom coffee (and creamer!) recommendations — with and without caffeine.

What Is Mushroom Coffee?

There’s currently no standardized definition of "mushroom coffee," which can contribute to some consumer confusion; at its most basic, the term describes a beverage that either replaces coffee entirely with functional mushrooms, or a one that combines blended functional mushrooms with traditional coffee.

Most mushroom coffees today are sold as instant powders, where the functional mushroom ingredients are blended into soluble coffee. However, new technologies have made it possible for mushrooms to be incorporated into a brewed coffee — including drip coffee, coffee pods, or ready-to-drink beverages — all without compromising taste. This enables people to have a more premium coffee experience.

What’s in Mushroom Coffee?

The functional mushroom species and formulations used to make mushroom coffee varies widely between brands. The most common mushrooms species used to make it include Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Cordyceps, Chaga, and Turkey Tail. However, how the functional mushroom is used in each coffee formulation differs, and can significantly impact the final product. For example, some mushroom coffees use a combination of extracts and the fruiting body of the mushroom (aka the visible part of it), while others use the full spectrum (aka the mushroom's fruiting body and mycelium or roots).

What Are the Health Benefits of Drinking Mushroom Coffee?

"The functional mushrooms used in mushroom coffee depend on the specific benefit a product is designed to support, since different mushroom species have been associated with different physiological effects," says Dr. Julie Daoust, Co-Founder & Chair of the Functional Mushroom Council. The most common functional mushrooms include Lion's Mane, Reishi, Cordyceps, and Chaga, while some products also incorporate Turkey Tail, Shiitake, or Maitake as part of broader mushroom blends. "Because many consumers choose mushroom coffee for focus and cognitive support, Lion's Mane is often one of the most common mushrooms used in these products," says Daoust. "It is also among the most extensively researched functional mushrooms for cognitive function, memory, and mental clarity."

A second commonly used functional mushroom is Reishi, which is often used to support immune health, stress management, sleep quality, and overall resilience. "Human studies have reported improvements in measures related to stress, mood, and sleep, while additional research continues to explore its effects on immune function," says Daoust. Additionally, Cordyceps are generally included for physical energy, endurance, and exercise performance. "Clinical studies have reported potential improvements in aerobic capacity, oxygen utilization, and exercise endurance following consistent supplementation, although results across the broader scientific literature remain mixed," Daoust explains.

One important consideration is that the benefits of functional mushrooms cannot be attributed solely to one mushroom species. Daoust explains that "factors such as cultivation methods, ingredient composition, processing techniques, dosage, and the quality of the research all influence the outcomes observed in scientific studies."

Do Functional Mushrooms Work Better When Combined with Caffeine?

According to Daoust, as of now "there is no controlled human research demonstrating that caffeine increases the effectiveness of functional mushrooms or improves the absorption of their bioactive compounds." Instead, functional mushrooms and caffeine appear to offer complementary effects.

The potential benefits of functional mushrooms have generally been observed after consistent daily use over several weeks. Daoust says that most clinical research has evaluated mushroom ingredients independently rather than combined with caffeine. On the other hand, caffeine is a stimulant and produces an effect of alertness. Coffee seems to be the most convenient way to create a habit and experience, and compliments the flavor of functional mushrooms.

Is Mushroom Coffee Healthy?

"Functional mushrooms have strong potential as prebiotic and immunomodulatory ingredients, but efficacy is highly dependent on how they are grown, processed, and ultimately delivered," says Daoust. It is a way to also sit down and enjoy the ritual of drinking coffee without the caffeine, if you choose a cup without a caffeinated coffee blend. "Mushroom coffee is a wonderful way to discover functional mushrooms and enjoy them as part of a healthy lifestyle, but consumers should have realistic expectations," adds Dr. Catalina Fernández de Ana Portela, mycologist, biologist, and founder and CEO of Hifas da Terra.

What Should You Look for When Buying Mushroom Coffee?

Daoust recommends looking for products that include both the fruiting body and the mycelium (mushroom roots), as much of the clinical research about mushroom coffee today is conducted on full spectrum ingredients. Eerging evidence also shows that key bioactive compounds in the mycelium work synergistically with those in the mushroom's fruiting body to drive more comprehensive functional benefits.

From a quality standpoint, Daoust points out that the mushrooms' sourcing and processing matter. This is because functional mushrooms are bioaccumulators, meaning they can absorb compounds from their environment. For that reason, Daoust recommends looking for whole mushroom ingredients that are grown and processed in controlled environments in the U.S. where standards for safety, traceability, and potency of bioactive compounds are more tightly regulated. Mushrooms grown indoors have a more controlled and monitored growing process.

According to Fernández de Ana Portela, "what really matters is that the manufacturer clearly states which part [of the mushroom] is used, how it was produced, how it was extracted, and what concentration of bioactive compounds it provides. Transparency is much more important than marketing claims."

Here are the questions to ask yourself — and what to look out for on the label — when buying mushroom coffee:

• Which mushroom species are included?

• How much mushroom is provided per serving?

• Where and how were the mushrooms cultivated?

• Has the finished product been tested for heavy metals and other contaminants?

• Is there research supporting the specific ingredient and serving level used?

It’s also important to note that the presence of the word "mushroom" on a label alone does not guarantee product quality, safety, or efficacy. Consumers should seek products from companies that prioritize transparency, rigorous testing, and evidence-based formulation.

How Often Should You Drink Mushroom Coffee?

The answer to this question depends on your goal! If you’re looking to enjoy a cup of mushroom coffee as part of your daily routine for the flavor, then anytime you want. However, if you’re looking specifically to get health benefits out of the functional mushrooms, then it depends on the mushroom species, the ingredients used, and the dosage. It should be noted that most research regarding mushroom coffee has examined its functional benefits when consumed over weeks, not just a cup of coffee every so often.

Daoust adds that "one cup of mushroom coffee may be sufficient, if it contains an amount of mushroom ingredient comparable to that used in supporting research. Products containing only very small amounts of mushroom should not be expected to provide the same outcomes reported in clinical studies."

Mushroom Coffees To Try

As mushroom coffee can be made with or without caffeine, check the label to ensure you're getting the right version for your needs. Here are four mushroom coffees you can try right now:

Functional Mushroom Coffee Creamers To Try

You can also find creamers that use functional mushrooms, and can be stirred into mushroom coffee or your other favorite coffee blend.

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