What Does Mushroom Coffee Taste Like?
If you’re new to the world of mushroom coffee, it can be hard to know where to start. In fact, you might still be wondering whether it’s something you want to try. Since it’s made of mushrooms, doesn’t it make sense that the coffee will taste like mushrooms?
We think the answer might surprise you. Read on for a breakdown of what mushroom coffee tastes like and how you can use it.
What Is Mushroom Coffee?
Mushroom coffee is a fine powder made up of ground mushrooms and other ingredients. Each brand that makes mushroom coffee uses a different formula, but in general, each formula highlights a variety of medicinal mushrooms.
At Everyday Dose, our Mushroom Coffee+ contains Lion’s Mane to help encourage focus, Chaga to support immunity, coffee extract to support energy, L-Theanine to soothe feelings of stress, and grass-fed bovine collagen protein to support gut health.
What Does Mushroom Coffee Taste Like?
You might be wondering if mushroom coffee actually tastes like mushrooms. While our mushroom coffee has an earthy flavor to it, it’s a far cry from the savory mushrooms you might be used to eating.
Our mushroom coffee has the same bitterness and nuttiness that regular coffee has, but you’ll notice that our coffee is noticeably less acidic. This is because we use coffee extract to add a hint of that coffee flavor we all love while leaving the side effects behind.
That being said, the exact taste of the mushroom coffee you choose depends on one thing and one thing only: the ingredients. Read on to learn the unique flavor profiles of the top five types of mushrooms used in mushroom coffee.
Reishi
Reishi is known for its deep, bitter, and a little earthy flavor. It’s not winning any natural sweetness awards, but that’s because it’s packed with triterpenes, the compounds responsible for its strong, almost woody flavor. If you’ve ever tasted tree bark tea, you’ll recognize reishi’s bold, medicinal bite. It’s an acquired taste, but hey, so is espresso!
Chaga
Flavor-wise, chaga mushroom is like a smoky, vanilla-kissed campfire in a cup. Its rich, slightly bitter taste comes from all the antioxidants and melanin it contains, giving it that deep brown, almost coffee-like essence. In fact, chaga is a traditional coffee substitute in some parts of the world.
Lion’s Mane
Lion’s mane mushroom tastes oddly like seafood, but don’t let that weird you out. It’s mildly sweet, with a subtle umami richness that’s often compared to crab or lobster.
This unique flavor comes from its high levels of hericenones and erinacines — the very same antioxidants that also make it one of our favorite adaptogens. It’s soft, delicate, and perfect for soaking up whatever flavors you throw at it. Simply throw in some sweetener and a delicious creamer and you won’t even know the difference.
Turkey Tail
Turkey tail is earthy, mildly bitter, and a little chewy if you try to eat it straight. That toughness comes from its high fiber and polysaccharide content. This might make it tough to chew, but it’s one of the reasons it’s perfect for brewing up with some hot water. Plus, this mushroom can help support the immune system, making it a favorite in the wellness community.
Cordyceps
Cordyceps has a flavor profile that’s as weird as its origin story. It’s mildly nutty, slightly savory, and has an almost cereal-like graininess to it. This comes from its natural polysaccharides and nucleosides, which make it a verifiable superfood.
How Does Mushroom Coffee’s Flavor Compare to Regular Coffee?
Let’s be real — it’s hard to beat the smooth, robust flavor of real espresso. Despite what many coffee alternatives might claim, there’s really nothing else out there that tastes like traditional coffee.
Some mushroom coffee brands don’t even try to fake the flavor — they simply combine a bunch of functional mushrooms and rely on the earthy notes of the mushrooms to appeal to coffee drinkers. In this case, the resulting blend likely won’t taste anything like a good cup of coffee.
If you can stomach that, more power to you. We, on the other hand, can’t go without our morning cup of joe. That’s why we made what is, in our not-so-humble opinion, the world’s best mushroom coffee.
Our mushroom coffee is made with coffee extract, which means that it tastes just like freshly brewed coffee (and smells just like coffee beans). It’s also as easy to make as instant coffee — simply combine our coffee blend with hot water, and you have a delicious brew.
What Do Mushroom Coffee Drinkers Have To Say?
You might be wondering if we can be trusted. After all, our Mushroom Coffee+ is our own blend — wouldn’t you expect us to say it’s the best? We completely understand, which is why we’re going to sit back and let our 200,000+ happy customers do the talking. (You can also stalk the comments on our social media to get a feel for all the hype.
Here’s what our real customers have to say about the flavor profile of our mushroom coffee:
- “I switched to Everyday Dose mushroom coffee and love it! It tastes like coffee without the jitters or crashes. I mix it with natural honey and Fairlife for a smooth, protein-packed boost. Highly recommend!” — Chatti C.
- “Delicious and the frother and spoon are such a nice touch. I love the flavor and the energy is wonderful. For once, something that doesn’t hurt my stomach! I will be moving my indulgence funds around so that I can be sure to be able to keep a constant supply!” — Sylphia W.
- “This is the best I have literally left normal coffee in the dust I do not need it. I get my mush coffee every morning and have had the best experience. The taste is true to word like straight up black coffee I add the collagen creamer and some oat milk and sugar free syrup and it tastes just like regular coffee that use to make luv this coffee it is AMAZING” — Stephanie F.
- “I was skeptical at first and was dreading the idea that this wouldn’t taste good. But man I’m surprised! It’s a great tasting coffee and I legitimately feel the effects lasting throughout my entire workday!” — Justin C.
- “Great taste, does not give you a caffeine high or jitters. I started drinking this after I finished chemotherapy and I feel it has helped with brain fog. I have recommended it to friends who now also love it (including my picky Italian husband)!!” — Nicole S.
- “Brand new mushie! First brand I’ve tried! It takes great, not like mushrooms (which I detest) super happy about that! For more skeptics, it doesn’t smell like mushrooms either! It’s so much more than just a coffee supplement! It’s replacing my collagen because it has even better ingredients than just collagen! I’m getting more good stuff for my brain & body for about the same cost!!! Can’t wait foe more of the freebies they send with each order!” — Penney
What About Caffeine?
Many people drink coffee specifically for the caffeine content, but did you know that your morning coffee contains over 100 mg of caffeine? While that’s technically below the recommended daily limit you might have read online, actual caffeine intake is much more nuanced.
You see, everyone has their own caffeine tolerance that’s made up mostly of genetics. Some people can drink an entire pot of coffee and settle in for a nap, while others get jitters after just a cup and a half of coffee.
That’s why our coffee blend contains much less caffeine than your average cup of coffee. You can still expect to feel a pretty big energy boost, though, because our functional mushrooms come with health benefits that can support focus and motivation.And, if you prefer the kick of caffeine, our Bold Coffee+ contains 90 mg per serving (plus all the healthy mushrooms).
What Can You Do With Mushroom Coffee?
If you’ve never had mushroom coffee before, reading a description of how it’s supposed to taste might not help. It takes a lot of imagination to mentally conjure a flavor you’ve never tried before.
If you don’t know what mushroom coffee tastes like, how will you know what to do with it? Luckily, we live and breathe mushroom coffee, and we have a few tried and true recipes.
Drink It Plain
For the mushroom coffee newbies out there, this is the place to start. Drinking it plain can give you a better grasp of the flavors so you can know how you’d like to use them in your other recipes. Plus, there are certain benefits to enjoying hot drinks in the morning.
To make Everyday Dose mushroom coffee, simply measure out a scoop of mushroom powder and pour hot water over it. The hot water will dissolve the powder, and a few quick stirs will create a smooth, nutty-tasting drink.
Make a Latte
Just like with coffee, you can also use mushroom coffee to make a latte! This is especially great if you like to shake things up from time to time.
Simply follow the instructions for our mushroom coffee latte recipe and enjoy. To make the experience even more relaxing, you can practice some mindfulness meditation while you enjoy your mushroom coffee. Plus, if you like iced coffee, you can easily add ice cubes to make this a delicious summer drink.
Try a Mushroom Mocha
The earthy flavor of mushroom coffee makes it a perfect pair for the rich flavors of chocolate and vanilla. What better way is there to enjoy these decadent flavors than with a mocha? Here’s how to make it.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup brewed mushroom coffee
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 cup milk (or your preferred milk alternative)
- 2 tablespoons sugar (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Whipped cream (optional, for topping)
- Chocolate shavings or cocoa powder (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:
- Brew the Mushroom Coffee: Brew 1 cup of mushroom coffee.
- Heat the Milk: In a small saucepan, heat 1 cup of milk over medium heat until hot but not boiling. Alternatively, you can heat the milk in the microwave.
- Mix the Cocoa: In a large mug, combine 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Mix well.
- Combine Ingredients: Pour the hot brewed mushroom coffee into the mug with the cocoa and sugar mixture. Stir until the cocoa and sugar are fully dissolved.
- Add Vanilla: Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
- Add Milk: Pour the hot milk into the mug, stirring continuously until well mixed.
- Optional Toppings: Top with whipped cream if desired. Garnish with chocolate shavings or a sprinkle of cocoa powder.
Make a Smoothie
If you already make a post-gym smoothie in the morning, add a bit of zen to your daily routine by mixing a scoop of mushroom powder in with the rest of your ingredients. Or, you can try a totally new recipe to properly complement the rich flavors of mushroom coffee. Here’s an example.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup brewed and cooled mushroom coffee
- 1 frozen banana
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (or your preferred yogurt)
- 1 tablespoon almond butter (or your preferred nut butter)
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional)
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional, for sweetness)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- A handful of spinach (optional, for added nutrition)
- Ice cubes (optional, for a thicker smoothie)
Instructions:
- Brew and Cool the Mushroom Coffee: Brew 1 cup of mushroom coffee. Allow it to cool completely before using it in the smoothie.
- Prepare the Ingredients: Slice the frozen banana into chunks for easier blending.
- Combine Ingredients in Blender: In a blender, add the cooled mushroom coffee, frozen banana, Greek yogurt, almond butter, chia seeds, honey or maple syrup , cinnamon, and spinach.
- Blend Until Smooth: Blend all the ingredients on high speed until smooth and creamy. If you prefer a thicker smoothie, add a few ice cubes and blend again.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste the smoothie and adjust the sweetness by adding more honey or maple syrup if needed.
Enjoy Overnight Oats
Overnight oats are a simple and convenient way to prepare tomorrow’s breakfast. If you like to get up and go, having a breakfast that’s as ready to go as you are can make a huge difference in your day. Here’s how you can combine the powers of mushroom coffee with your favorite overnight oats.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup brewed and cooled mushroom coffee
- 1/2 cup milk (or your preferred milk alternative)
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey (optional, for sweetness)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- Toppings of your choice (e.g., fresh berries, nuts, seeds, coconut flakes, etc.)
Instructions:
- Brew and Cool the Mushroom Coffee: Brew 1/2 cup of mushroom coffee using your preferred method. Allow it to cool completely before using it in the oats.
- Combine Ingredients: In a mason jar or a container with a lid, combine the rolled oats, cooled mushroom coffee, milk, chia seeds, maple syrup or honey, vanilla extract, and cinnamon.
- Mix Well: Stir everything together until well combined. Ensure the oats and chia seeds are fully submerged in the liquid.
- Refrigerate Overnight: Cover the jar or container with a lid and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight, to allow the oats and chia seeds to soak up the liquid and soften.
- Add Toppings: In the morning, give the oats a good stir. Add your favorite toppings such as fresh berries, nuts, seeds, coconut flakes, or a drizzle of nut butter.
Wrap It Up
Mushroom coffee is getting more popular by the day, and it’s all because of the amazing health benefits of mushrooms. Rather than tasting like the musty mushrooms you might be used to, mushroom coffee has a deliciously nutty, earthy flavor similar to coffee.
We understand that flavor is everything. What good are the benefits of a supplement if you don’t want to take it? That’s why we included coffee extract in our formula. To learn more about Everyday Dose and our offerings, visit our blog today!
Sources:
Is Coffee Bad for Digestion? | CDHF
18 Benefits of Drinking Hot Water: How Can It Help Your Health? | Nanavati Max Speciality Hospital
What are the Benefits of Mushroom Coffee? | INTEGRIS Health
Picking Stories, Selling Chaga: How History Helped Make Chaga a Superfood | NiCHE
5 Lion’s Mane Mushroom Benefits | Cleveland Clinic
Turkey tail mushrooms act as nonspecific immune modulators | UCLA Health
