Blog
Mushroom Coffee Mix – A New Wellness Trend
Mushroom coffee is an emerging wellness trend that combines conventional coffee with medicinal mushrooms that offer numerous health benefits.
Add mushroom powder to your coffee for a calmer experience without experiencing caffeine’s rapid spikes and valleys*.
Ingredients
Medicinal mushrooms have long been utilised as part of an overall wellness routine to promote overall health, vitality, longevity and immunity. Functional mushroom coffee utilizes an assortment of nutritionally dense mushrooms such as lion’s mane, chaga, cordyceps turkey tail and reishi to provide an energy boost for both body and brain. Benefits of mushroom fruiting bodies come from water soluble molecules known as beta-d glucans which are normally contained within their cell walls, but when extracted via hot water extraction they become readily bio-available for consumption by body systems – helping improve cognitive function, reduce stress levels and support physical performance – all while simultaneously maintaining blood sugar balance*.
These mushroom extract powders are often added to instant coffee in single serve plastic packets for convenience, which isn’t great for the environment and can become costly over time. A more sustainable option would be making your own DIY mushroom coffee brew at home; this way you have complete freedom over selecting specific mushrooms depending on your needs and taste preferences – maitake may help balance blood sugar, while chaga may relieve acidity in the body, while reishi is considered a powerful adaptogen to reduce stress*.
When making your own mushroom coffee brew, be sure to choose a powder containing only mushrooms without fillers like grain starch, brown rice, or other substances like grain starch. A high-quality product should contain ingredients like lion’s mane, cordyceps, chaga or turkey tail mushrooms.
Nutritional Benefits
Mushroom coffee combines ground coffee with mushroom extracts to produce a drink that’s often less caffeinated than traditional coffee. Mushroom coffee mixes can be added directly to regular coffee grounds or purchased ready-to-drink mugs and pods, as mushrooms provide ample amounts of healthful nutrients that may increase energy levels while improving wellness.
Many of the mushrooms included in this alternative drink contain beta-glucans, a type of soluble fiber which has been shown to lower your risk for heart disease. Research also indicates they can balance gut microbiome composition and improve immunity function, according to registered dietitian and health coach Jessica Cording. She refers to them as adaptogens which help regulate the body’s response to stress.
Other mushrooms found in this blend, like chaga and reishi, have long been recognized to help support a healthy nervous system. Reishi has long been used as a natural stress reliever and anti-inflammatory that soothes gut lining; research suggests chaga may even boost immunity to help combat cold and flu symptoms.
Turkey tail and maitake mushrooms in this blend may help support healthy liver function, according to research published in Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health. Both have antioxidant properties which could protect it against inflammation-caused damage.
Mushrooms have also been shown to help reduce stress levels, which is especially valuable during times of anxiety or depression. Unlike caffeine, the biocompounds found in mushrooms may help balance cortisol levels which may help relieve symptoms of stress while encouraging relaxation.
One advantage of this blend is its lower caffeine content compared to traditional coffee. A typical serving contains only 14mg, significantly lower than what can be found in an average cup. As such, it makes this an excellent way to increase energy without becoming jittery or sleepless – though prior to consuming any such mix consult your physician as certain mushrooms such as lion’s mane and turkey tail may interfere with medications for diabetes and those that slow blood clotting.
Taste
Though mushroom coffee blends may sound strange at first, they’ve quickly gained in popularity thanks to their unique taste and health-promoting benefits. Most mushroom coffee blends contain instant coffee as the foundation and then include various adaptogenic mushrooms such as lion’s mane, chaga, cordyceps or reishi for optimal performance. Some contain additional herbal extracts or superfoods like maca, ashwagandha or siberian ginseng for further energy enhancement.
Caffeine blends can not only provide a natural source of caffeine, but they may also boost cognitive function, energy levels and support the immune system. They typically contain less than half the caffeine found in regular coffee drinks so you won’t experience jittery feelings or an intense throbbing headache afterwards. Many also come without added sugar – making it an excellent healthy alternative.
When selecting a mushroom coffee mix, select a brand that prioritizes quality. Look for organic ingredients and certifications that reflect your values as well as considering what type of coffee was used – for instance Four Sigmatic’s balanced blend of dual-extracted chaga and cordyceps combined with rigorous quality tested 100% Arabica coffee provides stimulation without jitters.
MudWtr offers another appealing solution in their Chagaccino product, which combines ground coffee with brewed chaga powder for optimal flavor and therapeutic properties. Easy to prepare with milk or plant-based alternatives; for an authentic brew try adding it into an AeroPress or Chemex coffeemaker for best results.
Purchase mushroom powder in individual plastic packets and create your own cup of mushroom bliss right at home! For optimal results, it is best to switch up between whole bean and freeze-dried versions; use this tutorial’s brewing process as a guideline to ensure maximum flavor and nutrition from each cup of fungi goodness!
Before adding mushrooms to your daily regimen, remember that some can interact with medication and should not be consumed by those with serious medical conditions. It’s also wise to consult your physician prior to adding new supplements into your diet plan.
Preparation
To create mushroom coffee mix, simply combine one teaspoon of mushroom extract powder per cup of ground coffee. If grinding your own beans, it is recommended that the mushroom extract be added after all beans have been ground in order to avoid damaging their delicate structure. Finally, store this resulting blend in an airtight jar at room temperature until ready for use.
Functional mushrooms contain water soluble molecules known as beta-d glucans that are normally locked away within the hard cell wall of mushroom fruiting bodies. Hot water extraction releases these powerful compounds from their hard shell and makes them bio-available, improving focus, clarity, and mental performance. When added to coffee it also offers added fiber as well as B vitamins such as niacin, riboflavin, and pantothenic acid which work to boost energy from carbohydrates found within coffee beans.