Mushroom coffee is something you didn’t expect, right? Well, we have mush room (pun intended) on this page, and we like to talk about new ways of enjoying your cup of Joe. So, why not talk about coffee made with mushrooms? Especially when a Finnish company is one of the market leaders. And this time, we are not talking about growing coffee in the lab.
What is mushroom coffee and how it’s made?
Forget the image of espresso with a mushroom hat floating inside. Now, please. Thank you. Mushroom coffee is one of the newer trends in the 2020s. It is a mixture of finely ground mushrooms and coffee beans. What mushrooms, you ask?
You won’t find shiitake, chantarelle or truffle here. Those shrooms belong to your plate. This coffee is made with medicinal mushrooms. The usual ones are:
- Chaga
- Cordyceps
- Lion’s mane
- Reishi
- Turkey’s tail
The fruiting bodies of these mushrooms are dehydrated and finely ground. Then, they are mixed with equally finely ground coffee beans, usually in a 50% – 50% ratio. Then, you can use this mixture as you would use any regular coffee.
Mushroom coffee is often sold as an instant coffee mix, which adds to the simplicity of usage. Just add some hot water, and your coffee is good to go. Perfect for business people or when you are late for bus/school/work.
History of mushroom coffee
Although Instagram influencers will try to convince you they came up with the idea, the mushroom coffee history is much older.
Let’s go to Finland. Land of thousand lakes, famous for most coffee consumption per capita. The country we sometimes mock it’s still stuck in the first coffee wave. But they beg to differ.
The Finns started using Chaga mushrooms as a substitute for coffee in World War II. War times usually results in a drastic reduction in coffee, sugar, confections, and other non-essential goods.
So, in the 1940s, the Finns would gather Chaga shrooms. A little bit of washing, drying, grinding, and you have Chaga powder. You only need some hot water, and you have a perfect coffee substitution in war times. The Americans used Okra seeds for similar purposes in the Civil War.
Disclaimer: Not the Avengers one, but the real Civil War. (I can’t believe I have to point it out).
Today’s mushroom coffee is made using a mix of coffee and shrooms. The historical Finnish coffee would be considered as tea. However, Chaga coffee (tea?) gave the foundation for leading the Finnish mushroom coffee brand. Which one? Continue reading, and you will find out.
(OK, it’s Four Sigmatic)
Health benefits of mushroom coffee
Let’s see how mushroom coffee makes you a better version of yourself.
Lower in caffeine
A lot of people drink coffee just for the caffeine spike. However, some social groups should avoid caffeine for medical reasons. Mushroom coffee is made with equal ratios of coffee and mushroom powder. Hence, it has 50% less caffeine than regular coffee. However, some brands might use different ratios, so check the label before use.
Health benefits of mushrooms
Medicinal mushrooms have been used in medicine for centuries, especially Chinese medicine. However, they woke more extensive scientific interest in 1970. Here is a list of alleged health benefits of consuming medicinal mushrooms.
- Improved immunity
- Reduced risk of heart diseases
- Rich source of nutrients
- Antiulcer
- Anti-allergenic (food allergies)
- Reduces inflammation
Why do we say alleged? Although scientific evidence of benefits gained by consuming mushroom coffee is more than promising, more research is needed. Especially when you need to verify the health effects on the human body. And we like verified facts.
That said, you should talk to your doctor if you have any serious medical issues before including this coffee in your diet.
Pros and Cons
Finnish mushroom coffee story
Meet Four Sigmatic. A company founded by Tero Isokauppila, a Finn with a plan. Tero grew up on a family farm in Finland (13th generation of farmers!). Except for practical knowledge, Tero also has a degree in Chemistry, Business, and a Certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition at Cornell University. He founded Four Sigmatic in 2012.
Today, Four Sigmatic is one of the world leaders in the mushroom coffee niche. You can check their shop here, with three main categories: protein, coffee, and cacao. If you want to get a discount on your orders, use our referral code:
If you want to find out more about healing mushrooms, be sure to check the book Healing Mushrooms: A Practical and Culinary Guide to Using Mushrooms for Whole Body Health. Written, of course, by Tero Isokauppila.
The Four Sigmatic story is truly a great one. We will dedicate another article to it, so our readers can get to know every detail. For now, find comfort in trying their fabulous products!
FAQ
Can mushroom coffee replace mushrooms in your diet?
No. Simple as that. If you want to include more mushrooms in your diet, eating them is a much better choice. Not to mention you will get the fibres that coffee lacks.
How does mushroom coffee taste?
It tastes almost similar to “normal” coffee. Depending on the variety, it can have an earthy or nutty taste.
Will mushroom coffee make me high?
These are medicinal mushrooms, not psychedelic. They will make you healthier.
How to store mushroom coffee?
You should store it in its original package and keep it away from light, air and moisture.
Are there any side effects from consuming mushroom coffee?
Consuming Chaga mushrooms is not recommended for people who have kidney diseases. Besides that, mushroom coffee has the same side effects as regular coffee.
Conclusion
Mushroom coffee is definitely something you need to try. It’s tasty, nutritious, and trendy. However, it’s not a substitution for a healthy diet. But, if you want to try it for the taste (or less caffeine), we say: go for it!
