mushroom coffee has taken the internet by storm since its debut as an anti-stress and inflammation aid, with potential benefits including immune-boosting benefits from medicinal mushrooms like chaga, cordyceps, reishi and lion’s mane fungi such as chaga cordyceps reishi lion’s mane and others such as reduced stress inflammation as well as improving sleep. But does this wellness trend live up to the hype?

Mushrooms, long revered for adding umami (flavor) to savory dishes and their wealth of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, have long been seen as healthy superfoods. But now mushroom coffee purveyors claim its health benefits include increased focus, less stress, improved sleep and more!

Mushrooms such as chaga, reishi and turkey tail mushrooms are popular options when creating mushroom coffee blends. These adaptogens may help ease daily stresses while improving overall wellness; furthermore they’ve been linked with immune support, increased energy levels and reducing inflammation that helps protect against diseases.

Functional or medicinal mushrooms typically come from their natural habitats, making them more expensive than their grocery store equivalents. As such, mushroom coffee tends to cost significantly more than traditional bags of coffee–usually costing double.

Numerous mushroom coffee brands will display the type and quantity of mushrooms per serving on their labels, so it’s essential to read and heed what’s written on the back to ensure you receive enough beneficial varieties of fungi for maximum impact. Some coffee blends may include other beneficial components, like cinnamon, nutmeg or turmeric spices as well as green tea extract or probiotics – these extra additions should always be listed so that consumers know exactly what they’re getting!

Some coffee blends come as powder you mix with boiling water to brew, while others can be prepared like regular coffee. Still others may contain no coffee at all and still provide an energy boost, though reading labels to see how these products are created is important, since some may contain additives like coconut milk which alter its flavor.

Although some claims about mushroom coffee have been evaluated on both lab animals and humans, more research needs to be conducted to demonstrate that its health benefits match what has been claimed about it. But if you prefer an extra robust cup of joe in the morning, there are various options online and various retailers where they can be purchased. As always, be sure to read and carefully consider the ingredients list, as some products use mushroom extract instead of actual dried ground mushrooms which may provide less nutrition. Furthermore, keep in mind that these blends may contain more sugar and calories than your average cup of joe. Lastly, it is wise to consult your physician prior to making significant alterations in your diet.