Mushroom teas are currently experiencing an unprecedented surge in popularity, generating over 1,000 results on Amazon for any given mushroom-tea related search and numerous brands from artisanal startups to global producers. But their incredible success goes beyond trendiness: mushroom tea offers health and wellness benefits that cannot be found elsewhere.

Fungi have quickly become one of the stars of this herbal beverage due to their ability to support and boost immunity while slowing some aspects of aging. But how are these mushrooms achieving such effects, and why do their colors take such different hues?

Tea producers who wish to develop the most potency blends combine various varieties of mushrooms into tea blends, so each ingredient can take its own role in supporting body and mind health. Reishi, revered in Traditional Chinese Medicine as the “Mushroom of Immortality,” is known for being a powerful stress-buster; it reduces anxiety while supporting immunity, cardiovascular system health and cellular wellbeing; it even regulates blood sugar levels while supporting digestive balance!

Other teas may be tailored specifically towards providing energy and focus. Some blends combine chaga with cordyceps – an adaptogen known for increasing metabolism and endurance – while reishi may combine with lion’s mane to provide sustained energy without diminishing mental clarity or durability.

Tea’s color can range from green, red, black and blue or purple due to a substance known as “blue pigment.” Previous research indicated that this blue pigment was formed through an accumulation of organic compounds produced during degradation of psilocybin by certain enzymes; however scientists from Leibniz Institute of Natural Product Research and Infection Biology in Germany were able to isolate specific molecules responsible for its creation using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and Maldi mass spectrometry to watch its biochemical reaction unfold in real time; ultimately pinpointing six pigments produced when psilocybin undergoes oxidation by various enzymatic systems.

Researchers identified chemical pathways and discovered that hydroxyl acids and aromatic amino acids play an integral part in this unique compound mix, with implications for developing novel anti-inflammatory medicines. Mushroom tea could also enhance existing medications and create novel ones, as reported in Nature Chemical Biology. As more consumers discover its many advantages, the mushroom tea industry will likely experience steady expansion. However, some obstacles still exist in terms of harvesting, production, distribution and shelf life that could derail market expansion. Companies operating within the mushroom tea sector should place particular importance on quality, consistency and flavor as well as communicating clearly to their consumers what to expect when sipping each cup of their product.