Mushroom coffee is a beverage created by mixing traditional coffee beans with powdered mushrooms. It has become increasingly popular due to its purported health benefits, including increasing energy levels and improving cognitive function, antioxidants, antivirals and antibacterials; depending on which types of mushroom coffee one chooses (typically Chaga, Cordyceps and Lion’s Mane are popular choices), it contains.

Mushroom coffee Whole Foods trend is driven by rising consumer demand for functional beverages that offer additional health benefits beyond hydration. Concocted of coffee grounds mixed with ground or powdered mushrooms, mushroom coffee can be found in ground form as well as instant and single serve pods. Brewing can either be done automatically using conventional coffee makers, or manually by adding hot water and steeping for several minutes with ground mixture – creating a beverage with distinct earthy notes and less acidity than conventional coffee beverages.

Filtered water should always be used when making mushroom coffee as this will filter out impurities and minerals that could compromise its taste or quality. An optimal brewing temperature range for mushroom coffee should be between 195-205 degrees Fahrenheit for full extraction of its flavors and benefits.

Whole Foods’ buyers have predicted several food and beverage trends for 2018, including mushroom coffee as one of them. Flower-based products like lavender lattes, elderflower lemonade and spirulina smoothies; edible plant waste such as pickled watermelons rinds or pickled beet-green pesto; high-tech puffed snacks and Middle Eastern ingredients like eggplants or dried fruits may also feature. Also on their radar are trends such as jicama taco shells, jackfruit al pastor or even kale juice powders – projections by company buyers themselves!