Cup of mushroom coffee next to sliced mushrooms on a cutting board.
May 25, 2022

Mushroom Coffee vs. Regular Coffee: What Are the Differences?

Many people drink it every morning—that eye-opening, hot (or cold) beverage that wakes them up and gets them going. While it’s true that coffee has some health benefits, it’s not the only reason why people choose to start their day with it. The characteristic aroma, comforting warmth, and stimulating effects are also cited as key reasons that compel people to reach for a cup first thing in the morning or even later in the day. Whether you prefer it straight up or enhanced with sweeteners, a cup of coffee may be something you have come to look forward to, or even depend on.

But there is currently a lot of hype building around another type of coffee: mushroom coffee. Evidence of its popularity can be found on social media, in trendy publications, and on the shelves of popular stores. As a result, this unique beverage that contains both coffee and functional mushroom powder is finally gaining the recognition it deserves.

While morning coffee represents a chance for self-indulgence for many people, the addition of mushrooms can transform a regular cup into an opportunity for self-care. So, what are the differences between mushroom coffee vs. regular coffee? And is mushroom coffee something you need to try? Read on for a comparison of these two energizing beverages.

Similarities and Differences Between Mushroom Coffee vs. Regular Coffee

The consumption of coffee has cultural and social implications in countries around the world. Meeting a friend for coffee or taking a coffee break is something many of us have grown used to doing. Still, there is a reason that some meaningful rituals and routines revolve around this particular beverage. From humble instant coffee mixed at the kitchen counter to gourmet beans roasted and brewed in specialty coffeehouses, people get attached to their own preferred iterations as they customize each cup to suit their tastes.

For most people, drinking coffee is a practice that also brings health benefits. The simple process of brewing ground coffee beans in water transfers many phytochemicals to the resulting beverage. Caffeine is probably the most well-known of these, but there are many others like antioxidants, polyphenols, and minerals. They all make coffee a healthy beverage for most people when consumed in moderation.

Characteristics of Regular Coffee and Mushroom Coffee

Regular Coffee

Mushroom Coffee

Caffeine

Low Calories

Enjoyed Hot or Cold

Energizing

Antioxidants

✔✔

Polyphenols

✔✔

Bioactive Compounds

✔✔

Prebiotic Fiber

✔-

✔✔

Protein

✔-

✔✔

Immune Support

✔✔


As you can see, coffee and mushroom coffee have many attributes in common. Both may be similarly enhanced with your favorite add-ins, including milk, cream, sweeteners, and flavorings. But some of these may increase calories (if you’re counting).

Enumerating the Benefits of Mushroom Coffee

While coffee has benefits on its own, the addition of high-quality and functional mushroom powder can improve them with characteristic bioactive compounds found in mycelium and fruiting body mushrooms. These unique chemicals provide support for various body systems.

Energy

While the caffeine in both types of coffee is stimulating, some people are sensitive to it and an excessive amount may cause them to feel anxious or jittery. Functional mushrooms provide additional energizing elements to coffee without the added caffeine. A mushroom known for supporting energy and endurance, cordyceps mushroom powder blend may be mixed into your favorite coffee drink or blended in a post-workout smoothie.

Antioxidants

The addition of functional mushroom powder increases the antioxidant content of coffee. By providing antioxidants that balance free radicals caused by normal physiological processes and environmental toxins, mushroom coffee supports the body’s response to oxidative stress. Chaga is a mushroom that contains one of the highest known levels of antioxidants. Just a small scoop added to your coffee each day can increase its antioxidant content.

Vitamins and Minerals

Coffee beans come from shrubs and trees belonging to the genus coffea. They grow in tropical climates around the world. The coffee brewed from these beans include phytochemicals such as riboflavin, magnesium, polyphenols, and diterpenes. The addition of functional mushroom powder infuses many additional bioactive compounds that support a range of physiological functions.

Prebiotic Fiber

Since coffee beans are filtered out in the brewing process, only a small amount of soluble fiber passes into the final beverage. The addition of dried and milled mushroom powder to mushroom coffee provides significantly more fiber that supports the growth of beneficial bacteria and contributes to a healthy gut flora.

Protein

While the protein content in regular coffee is negligible, the addition of functional mushroom powder makes mushroom coffee a source of essential amino acids. Unlike plant proteins which may lack essential amino acids, mushroom protein contains all of the key building blocks—making them a more complete source of protein.

Immune Support

While it’s said that the bioactive compounds in coffee support the immune system when 3-5 cups are consumed daily, that level of caffeine may be problematic for some. Adding a serving of 2g of functional mushroom powder to your coffee can provide significant immune support, allowing you to extract more benefits from less caffeine.

Making the Most of Your Daily Indulgence

You can easily incorporate mushroom coffee into your daily routine. If you have a particular coffee routine you enjoy, simply add a teaspoon-sized scoop of functional mushroom powder to your cup and prepare it as you normally would. Select a mushroom powder supplement that aligns with your health and wellness goals or the specific body systems you want to support. Remember to swirl your cup occasionally as you sip to keep the healthy mushroom solids suspended and get every last drop.

As an alternative, try a specially-curated functional mushroom coffee blend that you can simply mix into hot water. Both the Om Mushroom Coffee Blend and Om Mushroom Coffee Latte Blend are available in 30-serving canisters or in a 10-pack box of single-serve sachets. If you prefer a caffeine-free beverage that uses mushrooms for energy instead, try the Om Mushroom Morning Energy Blend. It features seven superfood mushrooms along with maca and rhodiola to provide an energizing morning beverage when reconstituted in hot water or milk.

The addition of healthy, functional mushrooms can elevate your daily coffee routine and provide you with more energy throughout the day. You can also support health and wellness every time you enjoy your morning coffee. After all, there’s nothing better than a guilty pleasure with some added benefits.

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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Functional mushroom products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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