Mushrooms have long been recognized as superfoods, appearing in wellness products like gummies and tinctures. But recently mushroom coffee has gained immense attention: this beverage combines regular coffee with extracts from medicinal mushrooms like Chaga Reishi Turkey Tail Lion’s Mane to provide immune system support, cognitive enhancement, liver detoxification, liver protection and much more – but is it worth its premium price tag and tastes great?

Different from the fungi you’d typically saute with butter or add to your salad, the mushrooms used to create mushroom coffee tend to be dried and extracted for medicinal use, creating an earthier version that tastes similar to regular coffee. It has quickly become a trend within wellness circles where mushrooms are seen as powerful adaptogens against stress.

Mushroom coffee may seem like an easy and delicious way to add more fungi into your diet, but it’s important to keep in mind that mushrooms should be consumed whole for optimal nutrition and there has been no substantial research supporting the claims made by purveyors of this beverage. Indeed, some mushrooms used can even cause digestive issues and high oxalates levels that increase risk of kidney stones; before making the switch it’s advisable to consult your physician or dietitian first.

Rise is the brand that started it all and offers a blend of organic Arabica coffee beans mixed with extracts from five mushrooms (Chaga, Reishi, Turkey Tail, Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps), MCT Oil and coconut milk for healthy fats and additional flavoring. Their marketing strategy aims to build customer relationships as well as long-term revenue by offering subscriptions that can be cancelled at any time.

Other competitors of Four Sigmatic include Four Sigmatic, which is more established and has wider retail distribution. MUDWTR offers another mushroom-focused brew designed for holistic lifestyles; specifically those already eating mushrooms or those trying to give up caffeine altogether.

Both brands are tailored to reach out to a diverse array of audiences and use marketing to emphasize the empowering nature of functional drinks. However, while their messaging and visuals may appear positive, neither one stands out in terms of product superiority.