Mushrooms are beloved fungi known for adding umami flavor to food dishes, and also boast several health benefits that have long been touted by mushroom enthusiasts. Some of the touted benefits include immune system boosting, stress reduction, liver wellness and antioxidant support. Therefore, it is no surprise that mushroom coffee has recently come into fashion; this trendy beverage combines regular coffee with ground mushroom extract for an earthier or nutty flavor profile than its conventional counterpart.

Mushroom coffee differs from culinary mushrooms both in terms of its flavor and chemical makeup. Dried and extracted to extract their health-promoting compounds, mushroom powder used for mushroom coffee often features chaga, lion’s mane cordyceps or turkey tail mushrooms – each scientifically studied for their beneficial health properties – that have been added into coffee beans as an ingredient blend. Some popular mushroom coffee brands utilize combinations including these varieties.

One of the main draws of mushroom coffee is that it does not contain as much caffeine as traditional coffee; depending on which brand, each serving can have about half as much. Ryze mushroom coffee for instance contains 48 milligrams per cup, while Four Sigmatic products provide 50 milligrams in one packet of their product. According to registered dietitian nutritionist and founder of MyFoodAdvisor, reduced caffeine can help prevent jittery feelings associated with regular coffee consumption.

Though mushroom coffee contains less caffeine, that doesn’t guarantee its safety for everyone. Anyone with kidney or gastrointestinal conditions should consult their physician prior to trying the beverage. Mushrooms contain high concentrations of oxalates which could increase kidney stone formation if someone already suffers from renal issues or has had them in the past.

Be mindful that there has not been much research conducted specifically on mushroom coffee; most studies focus on medicinal mushrooms in general and their impact on human health. Some claims about mushroom coffee’s benefits – like improved immunity or cognitive enhancement – come from test tube research or animal trials but no clinical trials that include humans have yet been completed; until such time as more human research takes place it would probably be wiser to stick to whole mushrooms and regular coffee rather than trying out this novelty brew.