What is mushroom coffee?

Mushroom coffee is a unique beverage made by blending ground medicinal mushrooms with coffee beans. Unlike the culinary mushrooms commonly found in grocery stores, this drink uses medicinal mushrooms such as lion's mane, turkey tail, reishi, chaga, and cordyceps. To create the blend, dried mushrooms are finely ground and mixed with ground coffee beans. Once prepared, the mushroom coffee blend can be brewed using various methods, including pour-over, Turkish coffee, drip coffee, French press, or espresso. In this guide, we will focus on making pour-over coffee using the drip brewing method.

Benefits of Mushroom Coffee

Incorporating medicinal mushrooms into coffee may offer several health advantages:

• Antioxidant-Rich: Mushrooms like chaga are high in antioxidants, which help combat oxidative stress and support overall health.
• Immune Support: Reishi and turkey tail mushrooms contain compounds that may enhance immune function.
• Cognitive Enhancement: Lion's mane mushroom is believed to support brain health, potentially improving focus and mental clarity.
• Reduced Caffeine Content: Mushroom coffee typically contains less caffeine than regular coffee, leading to fewer jitters and a smoother energy boost.

While these benefits are promising, more research is needed to fully understand the effects of mushroom coffee on human health.

How to make mushroom coffee?

Making mushroom coffee requires attention to grind size and brewing method to ensure the best flavor. The grind size should match the brewing method you're using—this applies to mushroom coffee as much as regular coffee. Using the wrong grind size can lead to an unsatisfactory cup.

In this recipe, we’ll prepare mushroom coffee using the pour-over method, which is known for yielding a flavorful and aromatic cup. If you'd like to learn more about pour-over coffee, click here.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups water (filtered or bottled if tap water is low quality)
• 6 tablespoons (45 grams) mushroom coffee (medium coarse ground)
• Warm milk and honey for sweetening (optional)

Equipment:

• Gooseneck kettle
• Pour-over coffee maker or brewer
• Coffee filter (stainless steel preferred; paper filters may retain coffee oils)

Directions: 

1. Prepare the Water

• Add water to a kettle and bring it to a boil.
• Once boiled, let the water cool for 5 minutes to reach the ideal temperature of 200°F (93°C).
• If your kettle has an adjustable temperature setting, heat the water directly to 200°F instead of boiling.

2. Set Up the Brewer

• Place a coffee filter in your pour-over coffee maker or brewer, and position it over a cup or carafe.
• If using a paper filter, rinse it with hot water to eliminate any papery taste and pre-warm your cup. Discard the rinse water.

3. Add the Coffee Grounds

• Place the ground mushroom coffee into the filter, ensuring an even distribution.

4. The Blooming Phase

• Pour a small amount of hot water (about ⅛ of the total) over the coffee grounds, just enough to saturate them.
• Allow the coffee to bloom for 30-45 seconds. During this phase, trapped gases in the coffee are released, creating small bubbles.

5. Brew the Coffee

• Slowly pour the remaining water over the grounds in a circular motion, ensuring all the coffee is evenly wet.
• For the best flavor, pour in intervals—adding water, waiting 30 seconds, then pouring more—until all the water is used. The brewing process should take 2-3 minutes.

6. Serve and Enjoy

• Once the dripping stops, your mushroom coffee is ready to enjoy. Add warm milk and honey if you like a sweeter, creamier cup.
• This simple method ensures a flavorful, aromatic cup of mushroom coffee that you can enjoy on its own or customized to your liking!

Recipe Notes for Mushroom Coffee

To ensure the best results, keep these tips in mind when preparing mushroom coffee:

• Adjust to Your Taste: The golden ratio for pour-over coffee (16:1, water-to-coffee) is used in this recipe, but feel free to adjust it based on your taste preferences. Use more or less coffee for the perfect cup.
• Water Quality Matters: Water quality plays a significant role in the final flavor. If your tap water contains impurities or odors, use filtered or bottled spring water for a purer coffee taste. Avoid distilled water, as its plain nature lacks the minerals needed for a flavorful brew, but it is still preferable to low-quality tap water.

How to Serve Mushroom Coffee

Serving mushroom coffee can be as simple or as creative as you like:

• Choose the Right Cup: Serve mushroom coffee in a cup that complements the brewing method. For example, since we are making pour-over coffee in this recipe, a regular coffee cup works perfectly.
• Pair with a Treat: Pair your mushroom coffee with a delicious coffee cake for a delightful combination. Just as with regular coffee, mushroom coffee pairs wonderfully with baked goods.

Common Questions & Answers

Q: Does mushroom coffee taste like mushrooms?

A: No, mushroom coffee retains the traditional coffee flavor with subtle earthy undertones from the mushroom extracts, which are generally mild and complement the coffee's taste.

Q: Is mushroom coffee suitable for people with mushroom allergies?

A: Individuals with mushroom allergies should avoid mushroom coffee, as it contains mushroom extracts that could trigger allergic reactions.

Q: Can I brew mushroom coffee using a regular coffee maker?

A: Yes, mushroom coffee can be brewed using standard methods such as drip coffee makers, French presses, or espresso machines. Ensure the grind size matches your brewing method for optimal results.

Q: Are there any side effects associated with mushroom coffee?

A: While generally considered safe, some individuals may experience digestive discomfort or allergic reactions. It's advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before adding mushroom coffee to your diet, especially if you have existing health conditions or are pregnant.

Q: Can I mix mushroom coffee with regular coffee?

A: Yes, you can mix mushroom coffee with regular coffee! Combining the two allows you to enjoy the benefits of both. Here are a few things to consider:

Benefits of Mixing:

• Balanced Flavor: Mushroom coffee often has a milder flavor compared to regular coffee. Mixing them can create a balanced taste profile, reducing bitterness.
• Nutritional Boost: Mushroom coffee contains adaptogens and nutrients that may provide health benefits, such as improved focus, reduced stress, or immune support. Combining it with regular coffee lets you enjoy these benefits while still getting a caffeine kick.
• Customizable Caffeine Levels: If you want to reduce your caffeine intake, mixing mushroom coffee (which usually has less caffeine) with regular coffee is a great option.

How to Mix:

• Start with equal parts mushroom coffee and regular coffee to see how you like the flavor.
• Adjust the ratio based on your preference—more mushroom coffee for a milder, earthy taste, or more regular coffee for a stronger caffeine hit.

Things to Keep in Mind:

• Mushroom coffee often dissolves differently (if instant) or brews differently (if ground), so experiment with brewing methods to find what works best.
• Check the ingredients of your mushroom coffee to ensure there are no additives that might clash with your regular coffee.

Enjoy experimenting and finding your perfect blend!

Q: Is mushroom coffee beneficial for health?

A: Yes. It is made with coffee beans and medicinal mushrooms. It carries the health benefits of both coffee beans and mushrooms, which are already medicinal mushrooms. Medicinal mushrooms are full of antioxidants that help the body get rid of toxins. They also help improve the immune system, reduce inflammation in the body, and protect against chronic diseases.

Q: Does mushroom coffee have caffeine?

A: Mushrooms itself does not contain caffeine. However, since mushroom coffee contains coffee beans, it has caffeine.

Q: Can I make Greek coffee with mushroom coffee?

A: Yes, you can make Greek coffee with mushroom coffee as long as the grind size is appropriate. The grind size to make Greek coffee is extremely fine, finer than espresso grind, so mushroom coffee should be as such for making Greek coffee.

Q: Can I put mushroom coffee in my coffee machine?

A: Yes. You can brew mushroom coffee the way you brew your morning coffee. Just be sure about the grind size for a perfect taste.