Mushroom coffee is regular coffee with functional mushrooms added, and usually a little less caffeine. You keep the taste and ritual of coffee, and gain mushrooms like lion's mane and cordyceps that have been used in traditional Chinese and Japanese practice for centuries. Here's how the two compare, side by side.
Mushroom coffee vs. regular coffee at a glance
| Regular coffee | Signature Mushroom Coffee Blend | |
| Caffeine | Often 130mg+ in a 12-oz cup | About 90mg per scoop |
| Functional mushrooms | None | Lion's mane, cordyceps, chaga, tremella (8:1 fruiting-body extracts) |
| L-theanine | None | 150mg |
| Extras | None | Alpha-GPC, organic ginkgo, organic cacao, 1g organic Irish sea moss |
| Calories (black) | Near zero | 5 |
| Preparation | Brewer, pods or grounds | Instant: stir and drink |
| Testing | Rarely published | Every batch tested for mold, mycotoxins, glyphosate and heavy metals |
Energy: the biggest difference people notice
Regular coffee delivers caffeine and not much else. Many people who switch to mushroom coffee say their energy feels steadier, with fewer jitters and less of a crash. Part of that is simply moderate caffeine. Part may be L-theanine: in a study of 27 adults, caffeine combined with L-theanine improved both speed and accuracy on an attention-switching task more than caffeine alone (Owen et al., 2008). And cordyceps and lion's mane bring their own long traditions for stamina and focus.
Health: what each brings
- Regular coffee has a strong research record. Moderate drinking is linked to a lower risk of early death in large studies. See Is Coffee Good for You?
- Mushroom coffee keeps all of that and adds functional mushrooms. Research on them is early but encouraging. See Functional Mushrooms.
Taste
A good mushroom coffee tastes like coffee, slightly smoother and earthier, not like mushrooms. See What Does Mushroom Coffee Taste Like?
Quality
Most coffee brands don't publish test results. Coffee is a crop that often meets mold before roasting, so we test every batch and publish the lab report. See Mold-Free Coffee.
Who should switch?
- People who feel jittery or crash on regular coffee
- Anyone wanting to cut back on caffeine without giving up the ritual
- People who want more from their morning cup
- Travelers and busy mornings, since it's instant
If you love your brewed coffee, you don't have to choose: many people drink regular coffee on weekends and mushroom coffee on workdays.
Try our Signature Mushroom Coffee Blend
Organic Arabica, 8:1 fruiting-body extracts of lion's mane, cordyceps, chaga and tremella, plus Alpha-GPC, L-theanine, organic ginkgo, organic cacao and a full gram of organic Irish sea moss. About 90mg of caffeine, no sweeteners and no fillers, and every batch is third-party tested for mold, mycotoxins, glyphosate and heavy metals.
Shop the Signature Mushroom Coffee Blend → Subscribe and save 25% for life, plus a free gift with your first subscription.
Frequently asked questions
Is mushroom coffee better than regular coffee?
For many people, yes. It keeps coffee's benefits, adds functional mushrooms and L-theanine, and usually has less caffeine.
Does mushroom coffee have less caffeine than regular coffee?
Usually. Ours has about 90mg per scoop, less than a typical 12-ounce brewed coffee.
Can I mix mushroom coffee with regular coffee?
Yes. Some people stir a half scoop into their brewed coffee while they transition.
Does mushroom coffee taste different from regular coffee?
Slightly. It's smoother and a little earthier, but it still tastes like coffee.