Chocolate and mushrooms are two delicious, comforting food sources, making their combination an increasingly popular trend in wellness brands and consumers. Ancient Mesoamerican traditions lauded this pairing as an aphrodisiac, energy booster and gateway into psychedelic experiences – something modern wellness practitioners may only just have recently adopted!

Medicinal mushrooms such as reishi, turkey tail, cordyceps and chaga have long been recognized for their beneficial effects on immune function, cardiovascular health, cognitive performance and more. When blended with raw cacao powder they offer an easy way to incorporate these functional foods into a soothing hot beverage; mushroom tea with cacao can even be made at home following this simple recipe!

Mushroom Cacao

The quality and type of cocoa used, the selection of specific mushrooms and inclusion of additional nutrient-dense herbs and adaptogens will all play an integral part in shaping the overall flavor profile of any given mushroom cacao blend. Typically, its aroma will blend familiar roasted chocolate notes with earthiness from mushrooms that ranges from subtle forest floor notes (Lion’s Mane/Turkey Tail) to robust minerality/wet soil/leather and aged wood characteristics (Reishi/Chaga).

Many manufacturers also add other compounds to improve mouthfeel and boost nutritional value, including thickeners like guar gum, as well as herbal extracts like ashwagandha and maca for antioxidant support. Some drinks even use coconut or nut milk for an additional creamy effect in their drink formulas.

Mushroom Cacao: What to Look For

When purchasing mushroom cacao powder, look for one that is organic and fair trade certified, with minimal additives listed clearly on its ingredients label. A high-quality cocoa powder either raw or Dutch processed should provide optimal base flavors and textures; many blends may include natural sweeteners like coconut sugar, cane sugar, maple syrup or monk fruit to balance any bitterness from mushrooms and cocoa together.

Finally, make sure you choose a mushroom tea containing Reishi as it has mood-boosting and stress-reducing properties. Reishi acts as a strong anti-inflammatory, promotes immune function and can calm nerves; additionally it acts as a mild MAOI (mast cell activating inhibitor) – meaning it may counteract other supplements which deactivate serotonin and norepinephrine production which produces feelings of happiness and bliss in your brain.