Ground mushroom coffee combines ground coffee beans with mushroom extracts and can be sold in instant, grounds and pods. Most are blends of chaga, reishi, cordyceps and lion’s mane mushrooms, all with purported medicinal benefits. The marketing pitch is that they enhance focus, boost immunity and improve memory and mood. The coffee itself has a subtle, earthy flavor that complements the fungi and is a little less bitter than a regular cup of joe.

Typically, mushroom coffee contains half as much caffeine as regular coffee and can help reduce jitters and bloating in some people. It also contains complex B vitamins that work with coffee beans to boost the body’s ability to release energy from fat. In addition, mushrooms are high in fiber and a variety of polysaccharides that support gut health.

GB Mushroom Coffee: An In-Depth Review

The exact health benefits are unclear, as most research is done in test tubes and animals rather than human subjects. However, the mushroom extracts do contain several adaptogens that may help reduce stress and anxiety, aid sleep and ease inflammation1,2.

Mushroom coffee is made by mixing ground coffee beans with mushrooms extracted into a powder. The mix is then brewed like normal coffee, in an automatic pot, a french press or a pour-over set up. Some companies also add other ingredients, including milk powder, to make a more cafe-style drink. People who are pregnant or lactating, children and individuals with underlying heart issues should talk to their healthcare provider before trying mushroom coffee.