Mushrooms have long been an integral component of holistic healing practices. Now they’re making headlines as one of the newest beverage trends – Gwyneth Paltrow and Mischa Barton have publicly extolled its virtues as brain-boosting lion’s mane mushroom tea is making headlines! This functional beverage combines medicinal mushrooms with other healing herbs to provide a nutritious drink perfect for daily consumption.

Mushroom teas come as powdered supplements that you can add directly into hot water or as loose leaf mixes that must be steeped, similar to herbal tea. Many brands come with an included tea bag or other non-mushroom ingredients to give a familiar flavor profile; other varieties contain tea leaves along with herbs such as sage, peppermint or hibiscus for enhanced flavor profiles; these varieties may also come caffeine-free for those seeking non-stimulating tea beverages.

No matter their form, modern mushroom teas typically incorporate adaptogen mushrooms, known to alleviate stress-inducing symptoms such as reishi, chaga and cordyceps.

Depending on the fungus species used to make mushroom tea, its flavor varies accordingly. Some varieties, like chaga, offer rich earthy and bitter notes balanced by natural vanillin components while other varieties like lion’s mane feature more delicate sweetness that pairs nicely with cinnamon or chamomile ingredients. When choosing which mushroom tea blends to brew at home for yourself, we suggest starting out with either reishi or chaga blends so as to gain experience in mushroom flavor profiles.

Although some mushroom teas can be made using whole dried mushrooms, it’s usually easier to find them as loose-leaf mixes or pre-made bags. Some are intended for easy mixing and blending into smoothies or coffee beverages while others feature additional ingredients like chamomile, turmeric, black pepper, ginger or cardamom for traditional steeping.

As with other popular tea trends like yerba mate or golden milk, mushroom tea’s benefits can only truly be realized through regular consumption, or “ritualized intake.” One dose may provide some initial support; however, for maximum efficacy the benefits will only become evident over time. To help facilitate your new habit we’ve rounded up some of the best places near you where you can purchase this wonderful beverage.