The Rise of Mushroom Coffee: What to Know, Cautions and Recipes

Explore the rise of mushroom coffee, a trending coffee-like drink made with mushroom extracts. Learn what it contains, what the evidence does and does not show, who should be careful with it, and how to make it at home with recipes.

Mushroom coffee has become a popular drink among some coffee lovers. Combining traditional coffee beans with medicinal mushroom extracts, mushroom coffee is a coffee-like drink that still contains caffeine from the coffee beans. No studies have shown that the added mushrooms make caffeine feel gentler or add health benefits. Let's explore why mushroom coffee is trending and how you can incorporate it into your daily routine with delicious recipes.

What Exactly is Mushroom Coffee?

Mushroom coffee is a carefully crafted blend that integrates coffee beans and medicinal mushroom extracts such as Lion’s Mane and Chaga. These mushrooms have a history of use in traditional medicine, which is not evidence that they are safe or effective in a coffee drink. Blends differ between products, so check the label for the mushroom types and the amount of each per serving. The coffee in the blend provides caffeine, a stimulant. We did not find studies showing that mushroom coffee improves cognitive function or supports the immune system.

What Is Known About the Mushrooms in Mushroom Coffee

Lion’s Mane and Cognition: What Is Known

Lion's Mane contains compounds called hericenones and erinacines. In laboratory studies, Lion's Mane compounds and extracts have stimulated nerve growth factor production in cultured nerve cells.³ In people, a small 16-week trial of 3 g/day of Lion's Mane powder in 30 older adults with mild cognitive impairment found higher cognitive scores than placebo,¹ while a 28-day trial of 1.8 g/day in 41 healthy young adults found faster performance on one task after a single dose and otherwise null or limited findings.² Mushroom coffee itself has not been studied, and the amount of Lion's Mane in a cup may be much lower than in those trials.

Chaga, Antioxidants and Immunity

Chaga is another mushroom used in some mushroom coffees. In laboratory tests, a polyphenol extract of chaga showed antioxidant activity and protected cultured skin cells from oxidative stress.⁴ We did not find human trials showing that chaga or mushroom coffee supports immunity, reduces inflammation or protects against illness. Chaga also carries kidney cautions (see "Who Should Be Careful" below).

Why Mushroom Coffee is Trending

Rise in Health Consciousness

Modern consumers prioritize health and wellness more than ever. Mushroom coffee appeals to health-conscious individuals looking for a coffee-like drink that fits a wellness routine. Whether a mushroom coffee differs nutritionally from regular coffee depends on the product.

Caffeine in Mushroom Coffee

Many people experience side effects from caffeine, such as jitteriness, trouble sleeping and a faster heart rate. In controlled trials, caffeine shortened total sleep time and lengthened the time taken to fall asleep.⁵ Mushroom coffee that contains coffee still contains caffeine, and no studies show that the added mushrooms make these effects gentler. Check the caffeine content per serving on the label.

Increasing Interest in Adaptogens

"Adaptogen" is a term used in herbal traditions and in marketing for substances said to help the body cope with stress. We did not find trials showing that medicinal mushrooms, or mushroom coffee, do this.

Delicious Mushroom Coffee Recipes You Can Try at Home

Mushroom coffee can be used like regular coffee. Here are three recipes. Each uses a cup of brewed mushroom coffee, so each contains caffeine; check the caffeine content on your product’s label. Some recipes contain almond milk or almond butter, which can be swapped if you have a nut allergy.

1. Classic Mushroom Latte

Ingredients:

• 1 cup brewed mushroom coffee
• ½ cup almond milk or oat milk
• 1 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
• Cinnamon for garnish

Preparation:

• Warm almond or oat milk gently.
• Brew the mushroom coffee separately.
  • Brewing Method: Choose your preferred method (e.g., stovetop, pour-over, French press, drip coffee maker). 
• Combine coffee and warm milk in a cup.
• Stir in honey or maple syrup if desired.
• Garnish with cinnamon.

2. Mushroom Mocha Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 cup brewed mushroom coffee (chilled)
• 1 ripe banana
• 1 tbsp raw cacao powder
• ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tbsp almond butter
• Ice cubes

Preparation:

• Place all ingredients into a blender.
• Blend until smooth and creamy.
• Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately.

3. Mushroom Coffee Protein Shake

Ingredients:

• 1 cup brewed mushroom coffee (cooled)
• 1 scoop plant-based protein powder (vanilla or chocolate)
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 cup almond milk
• ½ cup frozen berries
• Ice cubes

Preparation:

• Combine all ingredients in a blender.
• Blend until smooth.
• Serve immediately after blending.

Incorporating Mushroom Coffee Into Your Routine

If you would like to try mushroom coffee, start with one cup a day in place of your regular coffee and notice how you feel. Count its caffeine towards your daily total. If you notice jitteriness, a racing heart, trouble sleeping or an upset stomach, cut back, and speak to your doctor if the symptoms continue.

Choosing the Best Mushroom Coffee

When selecting mushroom coffee, quality matters. Look for brands like Kasivit, which offer premium blends sourced responsibly with high-quality medicinal mushrooms. Ensure the product clearly lists its mushroom types, the amount of each per serving, and the caffeine content per serving.

Explore Kasivit’s high-quality mushroom coffee here: Kasivit Mushroom Coffee Fusion

Who Should Be Careful

Mushroom coffee that contains coffee contains caffeine. A systematic review concluded that intakes of up to 400 mg of caffeine a day in healthy adults, and up to 300 mg a day in healthy pregnant women, were generally not associated with adverse effects, and suggested 2.5 mg per kg of body weight a day for children and adolescents, based on limited data.⁶ The caffeine and mushroom content of a cup varies between products, so check the label.

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Higher caffeine intake in pregnancy was linked to a higher risk of pregnancy loss in a meta-analysis of observational studies, although the authors called the result inconclusive.⁷ People who are pregnant or trying to conceive should count mushroom coffee towards their caffeine total and ask their doctor. We did not find safety data for the mushrooms used in mushroom coffee in pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• Anxiety and panic disorder: In a meta-analysis of caffeine challenges, caffeine at doses of about 400 to 750 mg caused panic attacks in about half of people with panic disorder and increased anxiety in both patients and healthy adults.⁸ People with an anxiety disorder should ask their doctor before using caffeinated products.
• Heart rhythm and heart disease: A 2026 American Heart Association scientific statement reports that, in randomized trials among regular coffee drinkers, caffeinated coffee increased the frequency of premature ventricular contractions (extra heartbeats), while decreasing the occurrence of atrial fibrillation.⁹ People with a heart rhythm condition, palpitations or heart disease should ask their doctor about caffeine.
• Medicines: Interactions between caffeine and common medicines are less well studied than caffeine's own effects (for example, for heart medicines after acute coronary syndrome).¹⁰ We also did not find studies of the mushrooms in mushroom coffee in people taking blood thinners, diabetes medicines or immunosuppressants. Ask your prescriber or pharmacist before use if you take regular medicines.
• Kidney problems and chaga: Chaga contains very high levels of oxalate, and case reports describe kidney injury or kidney failure after daily use of chaga powder.^11-13 The amount of chaga in a cup of mushroom coffee is often not stated. People with kidney stones or kidney disease should avoid chaga-containing products and ask their doctor.
• Mushroom allergy: A 2026 dermatology case report describes a skin reaction (flagellate erythema) after drinking mushroom coffee.¹⁴ Anyone with a mushroom allergy should avoid mushroom coffee. Blends may contain different mushrooms, so read the label.

Conclusion

Mushroom coffee can be an enjoyable way to drink coffee with mushroom extracts. Health benefits have not been shown for mushroom coffee itself, it contains caffeine, and some ingredients carry cautions. If you try it, check the label for caffeine and mushroom amounts, and ask your doctor or pharmacist first if you are pregnant, take medicines or have a health condition.

References (1) Mori K, et al. Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytother Res. 2009;23(3):367-72. PubMed · DOI (2) Docherty S, et al. The Acute and Chronic Effects of Lion's Mane Mushroom Supplementation on Cognitive Function, Stress and Mood in Young Adults: A Double-Blind, Parallel Groups, Pilot Study. Nutrients. 2023;15(22):4842. PubMed · DOI (3) Lai PL, et al. Neurotrophic properties of the Lion's Mane medicinal mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Higher Basidiomycetes) from Malaysia. Int J Med Mushrooms. 2013;15(6):539-54. PubMed · DOI (4) Cui Y, et al. Antioxidant effect of Inonotus obliquus. J Ethnopharmacol. 2005;96(1-2):79-85. PubMed · DOI (5) Chang YH, et al. Age- and dose-specific effects of caffeine on sleep: A meta-analysis of controlled crossover trials. Sleep Med. 2025;136:106874. PubMed · DOI (6) Wikoff D, et al. Systematic review of the potential adverse effects of caffeine consumption in healthy adults, pregnant women, adolescents, and children. Food Chem Toxicol. 2017;109(Pt 1):585-648. PubMed · DOI (7) Chen LW, et al. Maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy and risk of pregnancy loss: a categorical and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies. Public Health Nutr. 2016;19(7):1233-44. PubMed · DOI (8) Klevebrant L, et al. Effects of caffeine on anxiety and panic attacks in patients with panic disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2022;74:22-31. PubMed · DOI (9) Marcus GM, et al. Caffeine and Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2026;154(9):e345-e355. PubMed · DOI (10) Yaghoobian R, et al. Caffeine Drug Interactions and its Clinical Implication After Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Literature Review. Crit Pathw Cardiol. 2023;22(3):95-99. PubMed · DOI (11) Kikuchi Y, et al. Chaga mushroom-induced oxalate nephropathy. Clin Nephrol. 2014;81(6):440-4. PubMed · DOI (12) Lee S, et al. Development of End Stage Renal Disease after Long-Term Ingestion of Chaga Mushroom: Case Report and Review of Literature. J Korean Med Sci. 2020;35(19):e122. PubMed · DOI (13) Kwon O, et al. Chaga mushroom-induced oxalate nephropathy that clinically manifested as nephrotic syndrome: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore). 2022;101(10):e28997. PubMed · DOI (14) Mijares J, et al. Flagellate Erythema From Mushroom Coffee: A Novel Exposure Route for Shiitake Dermatitis. Int J Dermatol. 2026. PubMed · DOI

This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. It does not diagnose, treat or prevent any condition. Speak to a doctor or pharmacist before using a caffeinated or mushroom-containing product, particularly if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take medicines, or have a heart, kidney or anxiety condition.