Mushroom Coffee Benefits: What’s Known, What’s Inside & How to Choose
JH Mushroom Coffee Guide
People search for “mushroom coffee benefits” for many reasons. This guide separates what can be measured on a label, such as caffeine, mushroom amounts and servings, from claims that research has not settled, so you can choose on facts.
In this guide
What is mushroom coffee?
Mushroom coffee is coffee blended with extracts or powders from mushrooms such as Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Reishi, Chaga, Turkey Tail and Maitake. Most products still contain coffee, so they contain caffeine. Formulas vary a lot in which mushrooms they use, how much of each, and how much caffeine a serving has.
What does the research say?
Functional mushrooms have a long history of traditional use and are an active research area, but strong evidence in people is limited. A Cleveland Clinic dietitian put it plainly: “There isn’t a ton of research out there suggesting that all of the claims actually hold true” (Cleveland Clinic).
For that reason, JH does not promise specific health effects. We publish what is in each serving so you can compare products yourself, and we recommend treating mushroom coffee as a coffee you enjoy rather than a treatment for anything.
The same source notes that Chaga is high in oxalates. If you have a history of kidney stones, kidney problems or digestive issues, or you take medication, check with your healthcare provider before adding any mushroom product to your routine.
The six mushrooms in JH Original
JH Original contains 275 mg of each of these six mushroom extracts per 5 g serving, for a 1,650 mg blend:
| Mushroom | What it is | Per serving |
|---|---|---|
| Lion’s Mane | A white, shaggy mushroom that grows on hardwood trees | 275 mg |
| Cordyceps | A fungus long used in traditional Asian practice; now commonly cultivated | 275 mg |
| Reishi | A glossy, woody shelf mushroom with a bitter taste | 275 mg |
| Chaga | A dark, crusty growth found mainly on birch trees | 275 mg |
| Turkey Tail | A thin, banded shelf mushroom named for its fan shape | 275 mg |
| Maitake | A clustered, frond-like mushroom also eaten as food | 275 mg |
JH also offers Energy Kick, with 10 mushroom extracts plus collagen. For a closer look at one ingredient, read our Lion’s Mane mushroom coffee guide.
Caffeine: the benefit you can measure
The clearest, verifiable difference between many mushroom coffees and regular coffee is caffeine. USDA data lists about 96 mg in an 8 fl oz cup of home-brewed drip coffee. JH Original lists 16 mg per serving and JH Energy Kick lists 25 mg. Other mushroom coffees publish anywhere from about 35 mg to 90 mg, so check the label.
See the brand-by-brand table in our low-caffeine mushroom coffee guide, or compare mushroom coffee vs regular coffee.
Taste and preparation
Mushroom coffee does not have to taste like cooked mushrooms. The coffee base, mushroom blend and other ingredients shape the flavor, and so does preparation: water ratio, milk or creamer, ice and sweetener. JH Original includes coconut milk powder and MCT oil powder for a rounded cup.
Read our mushroom coffee taste guide or try the iced mushroom coffee recipe.
How to choose a mushroom coffee
- Caffeine per serving, in milligrams.
- Named mushrooms and amounts, not just a count of mushrooms.
- Servings per bag (JH Original has 40).
- Other ingredients, sugar and allergens (JH Original contains coconut; Energy Kick contains bovine collagen).
- Taste, because you will only keep drinking a coffee you enjoy.
- Purchase terms: JH is a one-time purchase with no subscription.
Compare both JH formulas in JH Original vs Energy Kick or the JH Mushroom Coffee Guide.
FAQ
What are the benefits of mushroom coffee?
The benefit you can verify is on the label: many mushroom coffees, including JH, contain less caffeine than a typical cup of brewed coffee. Claims about other effects are not well established by research in people.
Does mushroom coffee have caffeine?
Usually, yes, because most contain coffee. JH Original lists 16 mg and Energy Kick 25 mg per serving.
Does it taste like mushrooms?
Most blends taste mainly of coffee. Preparation and added ingredients change the cup.
Who should check with a doctor first?
Anyone with kidney or digestive conditions, anyone who takes medication, and anyone who is pregnant or has been advised to limit caffeine.
From Morris, Connecticut
JH is a husband-and-wife business based in Morris, in Litchfield County. Learn more about our Connecticut mushroom coffee story.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. JH products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.