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9 best mushroom coffees for an alternative morning pick-me-up, tried and tested
Lion’s mane latte, anyone?
Tested by Kim HawleyHealth and Fitness Tester
Starting your morning with a mushroom macchiato may not sound like the most appealing prospect, but the 'shroom boom is officially in full swing. One of a host of new wellness drinks, just stroll through your local health food store or scroll through social media and you can’t move for fungi-infused brews, from lion’s mane lattes to chaga cappuccinos.
Dubbed a healthier alternative to your daily flat white, fans claim you get all the energy-boosting benefits of caffeine, along with a slew of extra health benefits. But is it really a wellness wonder drink or just another fad? Our experts got sipping to find out.
The best mushroom coffees for 2025
Here are the Good Housekeeping Institute's top picks at a glance, including handy sachets and decaf options. Prices range from £13 for 10 sachets up to £49 for a 120g pouch.
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To find the brews that bring you benefits and actually taste good, we asked a team of nutritionists to help us assess a range of market-leading options.
Meet the nutritionists: Rachel Butcher is an AfN and SENr registered nutritionist with over 15 years’ experience in the health and fitness industry. She is head of nutrition at Third Space London. Georgia Chilton, senior nutrition manager at Calo, holds a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, a master’s degree in sports and exercise nutrition and has over nine years' industry experience. Ruby Chuahan, is an AfN registered nutritionist with an MSc in nutrition sciences, and is also a nutritionist at Calo.
We also recruited a panel of at-home testers to try the drinks for a week and our in-house food team conducted their own taste tests. You'll find a full breakdown of how we test below.
Score: 90/100
Our winner from Spacegoods – which combines a high-strength blend of adaptogens with vitamin B5 and 120mg of caffeine from Arabica coffee – claims to support energy, focus and mental performance.
According to our panellists, it lives up to its promises, with several noting improvements to their concentration levels and overall productivity. “It gave me more energy and I got through more tasks at work,” said one tester, while another told us: “I’m surprised how good I felt after a few days; less tired and more alert.”
With a rich, earthy flavour, they found it a pleasure to drink, too. One panellist even said they were “blown away” by the taste and have replaced their usual coffee already. It can be blended with hot or cold water, or you can add it to your morning smoothie.
Expert verdict: Chauhan rated the potent blend of mushroom extracts and adaptogens, which work together to support stress relief, energy and support overall health. Rainbow Dust is made in England, and has been third party tested to ensure the ingredients list is accurate and it's free from contaminants. Just note, the caffeine content is on the higher side.
Key specifications
| Adaptogens | Lion’s mane, cordyceps and chaga mushrooms, maca root, rhodiola rosea |
|---|---|
| Caffeine content | 120g |
Score: 89/100
We love Innermost’s great tasting protein powders, and the brand’s mushroom coffee proved just as popular. It combines Ethiopian Arabica coffee with a potent blend of chaga, tremella, shiitake, maitake, reishi and cordyceps mushrooms to “provide a balanced energy boost without the jitters.”
Sure enough, testers noted improvements to their energy levels, with one saying, “The crash effect was noticeably less compared to my usual black coffee,” and another commenting: “I felt energetic for hours with no energy crash.”
Though slightly earthy in taste, panel members thought the flavour was pleasant, with hints of cocoa and bitter coffee. They rated the smooth consistency, too.
The expert verdict: Butcher praised the high quality ingredients included in the Wellness Blend, adding that it would make a good alternative to your usual afternoon brew to prevent that dreaded slump. She did highlight, however, that while there is some evidence to show the beneficial effects of adaptogens – particularly cordyceps from an immunity perspective – research is still in its infancy.
Key specifications
| Adaptogens | Chaga, tremella, shiitake, maitake, reishi and cordyceps mushrooms |
|---|---|
| Caffeine content | 20 – 30mg |
Score: 89/100
London Nootropics scored highly for ease of use – you get 12 sachets in the beautifully designed box, so you can easily slip them in your bag and take them to the office or on holiday with you.
The Flow Blend features barista-style Arabica coffee, lion’s mane and rhodiola rosea (a medicinal plant that’s been used to treat fatigue and the effects of stress) and, according to the brand, it will help you “discover motivation, mental clarity and focus,” and “reduce procrastination.”
It went down a treat with our panel, who thought the aroma and flavour was delicious and appreciated the lack of earthy, mushroom aftertaste. One tester even said they preferred it to their usual instant coffee. They also felt it gave them a sustained boost of energy, with less slumps and crashes. “There was a distinct difference in how I felt afterwards,” reported one tester, while another was so impressed, they ordered more boxes.
The expert verdict: Another option with a short ingredients list and no artificial flavourings or preservatives. As each serving contains between 80 to 110mg of caffeine – which is similar to an average cup of regular coffee – Butcher believes it’s best for the mornings or early afternoons. “It could still impact your sleep quality if taken too late in the day,” she notes.
Key specifications
| Adaptogens | Lion’s mane mushroom, rhodiola rosea extract |
|---|---|
| Caffeine content | 80-110mg |
Score: 88/100
Free Soul’s mushroom coffee was a viral hit on social media, but does it live up to the hype? It certainly proved popular with our panel, with testers noting “a sustained energy boost throughout the day,” and “enhanced function without the usual crashes”.
The Wake blend is packed with four functional mushrooms and a fistful of adaptogens including stress-busting Ashwagandha, turmeric (known for its anti-inflammatory properties) and maca (said to improve mood and support hormone balance). It also includes Arabica coffee, cinnamon, cocoa, and Himalayan pink salt.
Though full to the brim with fungi, testers said it smelt and tasted like normal coffee, with some added “festive” and “spicy” notes from the cinnamon and turmeric. “I’d happily continue using it,” said one satisfied tester.
The expert verdict: Free Soul’s mushroom coffee includes an array of strong adaptogens and is free from artificial flavours and sweeteners. Butler does point out, however, that more isn’t necessarily better when it comes to functional products. “Ideally, I'd suggest introducing individual adaptogenic ingredients to see how your body responds,” she says. If it's your first foray into mushroom coffee, you may want to start with one containing less adaptogens and see how you feel.
Key specifications
| Adaptogens | Lion’s mane, reishi, maitake and shiitake mushrooms, KSM-66 ashwagandha, maca, cinnamon, turmeric |
|---|---|
| Caffeine content | 65mg |
Score: 88/100
Another top choice for portability and ease of use, these travel-friendly sachets from Finnish-US company Four Sigmatic (one of the original mushroom coffee brands on the market) have an organic ingredients list that includes medium roast instant coffee, lion’s mane extract, chaga extract and rhodiola extract. The blend promises “enhanced mental focus”.
It earned a thumbs up from our panellists for its mild, mellow flavour (which didn’t taste like mushrooms), classic coffee aroma and smooth consistency. “I liked the taste and found it was quite close to a normal instant coffee,” said one tester. Another thought it was “very easy to drink.”
The expert verdict: This blend contains 50mg of caffeine, around half the amount of your usual coffee, so it’s one to reach for when you’re craving a cappuccino after lunch. It boasts organic ingredients, including 250mg wood-grown lion’s mane, 250mg of wild-harvested Siberian chaga and organic rhodiola rosea.
Key specifications
| Adaptogens | Lion’s mane and chaga mushrooms, rhodiola extract |
|---|---|
| Caffeine content | 50mg |
Score: 87/100
We’re huge fans of Verve’s greens powder (read our best greens powder round-up for more info), and its fungi-filled blend also performed well in testing. Unlike the other products in this round-up, it doesn’t contain any coffee (caffeinated or decaf); instead, it packs 12,400mg of medicinal mushrooms and a handful of other adaptogens. You can add the fine mushroom powder to your beverage of choice, whether it’s a latte, smoothie or some hot or cold water.
Our sceptical testers, who were initially concerned about slurping mushrooms, were instantly won over. “It smells like chocolate and tastes even better,” said one happy panel member, while another told us: “There was no heavy mushroom taste, just cocoa with depth.” They also praised the texture, saying it dissolved well in water and milk, without any clumps or residue.
Performance-wise, some testers noticed a “boost” in their energy levels after consuming it, while others thought it had a “slightly calming effect.” It might be pricey, but the quality of ingredients is impressive, it tastes delicious and it’s extremely versatile.
Expert verdict: Honest Mushrooms delivers a high dose of organic, sustainably sourced mushrooms along with other popular adaptogens. It’s free from fillers, additives and artificial flavours and, unlike many products on the market, has been tested by a third party to check the purity and potency of ingredients.
Key specifications
| Adaptogens | Lion’s mane, reishi, cordyceps, chaga, oyster, tremella, maitake, almond and shitake mushrooms, ashwagandha, rhodiola rosea root and gingko biloba leaf |
|---|---|
| Caffeine content | None |
Score: 87/100
With celeb fans including Charlotte Tilbury and Benedict Cumberbatch, Dirtea has made a name for itself with its pure, potent functional mushroom powders. Its Surperblend goes big on adaptogens, with 1000mg of lion’s mane, chaga and tremella mushrooms, plus Ashwagandha and maca powder, blended with 100% Arabica coffee. It promises “increased energy levels without a caffeine crash.”
Our testers certainly noticed a difference, with one claiming, “It was easier to concentrate at work,” and another saying: “It left me feeling refreshed and relaxed.” No one experienced any unwanted side effects, either.
In terms of taste, the high mushroom content means it is a tad earthy and may take a little getting used to. It wasn’t unpleasant, though, with one tester even describing it as “soothing and beautiful.” We recommend mixing it up with hot water and your favourite plant-based milk for a creamy morning latte.
Expert verdict: Dirtea’s Superblend has a short, all-organic ingredients list and features a strong mix of functional mushrooms and adaptogens. With a gentle 50mg of caffeine, it’s one for mornings and afternoon. As with Free Soul’s Wake option above, Butcher offers a reminder that taking multiple adaptogens at once isn’t always better.
Check out our sleep & wellness editor's full Dirtea mushroom coffee review.
Key specifications
| Adaptogens | Lion’s mane, chaga and tremella mushrooms, ashwagandha, maca |
|---|---|
| Caffeine content | 50mg |
Sixways Hormone Balance Mushroom Blend (30 servings)
Score: 86/100
If you’re looking to cut out caffeine completely, consider this decaf blend from Sixways, which is designed to “support regulated hormones and sustained energy”. It’s packed with adaptogens including myo-inositol, maitake mushrooms and maca root along with ginger root, cocoa powder, stevia and a blend of vitamins and minerals.
Multiple testers said they felt calm and relaxed after drinking their brews and would happily purchase the blend again. One panel member described it as a “happy substitute” for their usual afternoon cuppa.
They were also impressed with the taste, which is rich with cocoa and slightly earthy with a chocolatey aftertaste. “It wasn’t bitter at all, and I didn’t have to add any sweetener,” said one tester. Just note, it does require some vigorous stirring to get rid of the lumps.
Expert verdict: This is a reliable pick for those who are trying to steer clear of caffeine completely. According to Chilton, myo-inositol has been shown to have some beneficial metabolic and hormonal effects, however research into the advantages of adaptogens is still limited.
Key specifications
| Adaptogens | Myo-inositol, maitake mushroom, maca root |
|---|---|
| Caffeine content | None |
Score: 85/100
Kiki Health is known for its organically grown and wildcrafted supplements (we’ve tested the brand’s collagen and matcha powder, too). Its formula blends 100% freeze-dried Arabica coffee with shitake, lion’s mane and reishi mushrooms. It's made from the fruiting bodies of the mushrooms, which are considered more potent, and there are no artificial sweeteners, fillers or colours clogging up the ingredients list.
Despite the blend of high-strength mushrooms, testers noted that the flavour was inoffensive and “not very mushroomy". They said it resembled a standard instant coffee, with a slightly bitter taste and subtle hints of cocoa. “I’ve tried other mushroom products and this is the best I’ve tasted so far,” said one panel member. Some also told us it provided a jitter-free boost and sipping in the morning helped improve their focus and made them feel calmer.
Expert verdict: The mix of mushrooms may help support focus, immunity and stress balance. “They work well together to give you calm, steady energy, without the crash,” says Chilton. She added that the high-strength extracts provide more benefits in a smaller dose. Just note, this product is on the pricier side.
Key specifications
| Adaptogens | Shitake, lion’s mane and reishi mushrooms |
|---|---|
| Caffeine content | Not specified |
How we test mushroom coffee
Our experts analysed the mushroom blends based on a range of factors, including quality of ingredients, nutritional make-up and formulation, judging them against their claims.
We also sent each product out to a panel of testers, who used them daily over a week, before reporting back on ease of use, drinkability and, crucially, whether they experienced any benefits or unwanted side effects.
Back in the Good Housekeeping Institute test kitchen, our expert food team taste tested them all – because no one wants to start their day with a tepid, watery brew – and let us know how they found each drink’s flavour, texture and aroma.
Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute?
Kim Hawley, the Good Housekeeping Institute’s lead tester on mushroom coffees, has reviewed a vast range of wellness products, from the best greens powders to the best massage guns. She's a level 4 qualified personal trainer, has a nutrition qualification and has worked in leading health clubs across the UK, so she knows what to look for in a wellness supplement.
Our sleep and wellness editor, Priyankaa Joshi, is also an expert in her field, with over seven years’ experience in health and wellness journalism, during which she has written about hundreds of products (and tested many herself too).
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, our experts review thousands of products every year. We put each product through rigorous testing, both in real-world and lab conditions, to provide unbiased reviews you can rely on.
For this test, we also enlisted the help of nutritionists Georgia Chilton, Ruby Chauhan and Rachel Butcher, to help you make an informed decision about mushroom powders.
What is mushroom coffee?
Button, porcini and chestnut may spring to mind, but these superfood drinks aren’t made from the kind of mushrooms you find in your local supermarket. We’re not talking about magic mushrooms that make you hallucinate, either.
“Mushroom coffee is made with adaptogenic mushrooms such as lion’s mane, chaga, cordyceps and reishi, blended with the coffee you know and love,” explains Butcher.
You’ll often find healthy extras like maca, ashwagandha, Siberian ginseng and CBD on the ingredients list, too.
Why switch to mushroom coffee?
If you’re sensitive to caffeine or simply trying to reduce your intake, mushroom blends are worth considering. “They typically contain around half the amount of caffeine you’d find in a regular coffee,” says Butcher.
This means you’re potentially less likely to experience jittery feelings, a throbbing headache or an energy slump after slurping your morning coffee.
For those who want to avoid caffeine completely, there are a range of decaf options out there, like Sixways' Hormone Balance blend.
Then there’s the fungi feel-good effect. The adaptogens found in mushroom coffee – which have been used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for thousands of years – are claimed to help manage stress, calm an overactive sympathetic nervous system and support your overall wellbeing.
According to research by the Swedish Herbal Institute, adaptogens work on our central nervous system to reduce the amount of cortisol and adrenaline pumping around the body. They may help our bodies manage stress better and restore balance.
What are the downsides of mushroom coffee?
Despite the anecdotal evidence, Butcher points out that research into the medicinal properties of many adaptogens is lacking. Many of the studies conducted are small and either carried out on animals or test tubes. “That’s not to say that they don’t do anything, but it’s important to note that clinical evidence is limited,” she explains.
It’s also unclear whether mushroom-laced coffees contain high enough doses of adaptogens to have any real effect.
While they’re generally considered safe, they may not be suitable for everyone. “Some mushrooms interact with medications, so if you’re taking anything or have an underlying health condition, consult your doctor before introducing mushroom coffee into your regime,” advises Butcher.
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The verdict on mushroom coffees
Our winning Spacegoods Rainbow Dust blend proved highly popular with our testers, who said it gave them an energy boost and tasted great.
If you want to cut out caffeine completely, Sixways' Hormone Balance Mushroom Coffee is for you, and if convenience is key, Four Sigmatic's Organic Mushroom Coffee comes in handy travel sachets that are ideal for chucking in your handbag.
Priyankaa is our sleep and wellness expert, specialising in expert-tested reviews and roundups on the latest health and fitness products. From walking boots to running machines, Priyankaa has written about hundreds of products and is passionate about providing in-depth, unbiased reviews. Plus, as an avid runner and gymgoer, she knows exactly what to look for when finding the right gymwear, fitness tracker or earphones.
Priyankaa has an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and over five years’ experience in health and fitness journalism. Priyankaa has written for Stylist’s Strong Women Training Club, where she regularly wrote about diversity in the fitness industry, nutrition tips, training advice and her experience completing various fitness challenges. She has also written for a variety of publications including Business Insider, Glamour, Bustle, Metro, HuffPost UK, gal-dem and more. Outside of work, Priyankaa can usually be found trying out a new gym class, seeking out London's best eats or watching a Spanish TV show in a bid to keep up her language skills.
Kim Hawley is our health and fitness product tester. Her career in fitness has spanned over 30 years. Prior to joining the Good Housekeeping Institute, she worked as a personal trainer, writer and fitness instructor for some of London’s most prestigious health clubs, including The Harbour Club, David Lloyd and The Chelsea Club. Passionate about women’s health and fitness, especially in pre/post menopause, she is also a Level 4 PT and holds a professional nutritional qualification. Kim is responsible for rigorously testing everything from cross trainers to smart watches.
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