Why Mushroom Coffee is the New Hit - A Practical Recipe for a Healthy Drink

Forget traditional coffee – mushroom coffee is the new hit for those seeking health in every cup! This drink combines medicinal mushrooms such as Chaga, Reishi, Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail, and Cordyceps, offering numerous health benefits.

While many people enjoy adding traditional coffee to this mix, I personally prefer the caffeine-free version. In this option, the mushrooms alone provide a subtle but satisfying bitterness, reminiscent of classic coffee.

So, for those looking to avoid caffeine, there’s a version of this drink made only with medicinal mushrooms, without coffee. If you’re unsure how to prepare it, here’s a simple recipe I use.

Recipe for Caffeine-Free Mushroom Coffee:

1.5 liters of water
3 tablespoons of Chaga mushroom powder
1 teaspoon of Reishi powder
1 teaspoon of Turkey Tail powder
1/2 teaspoon of Lion’s Mane powder
Sweetener of your choice (honey, stevia, agave)

Preparation:

Heat the water until it reaches a boil.
Add the Chaga and other mushrooms, then lower the heat so the water gently simmers.
Cover and cook on low heat for at least 30-45 minutes to extract all the medicinal properties from the mushrooms.
Strain the drink into a cup, add your preferred sweetener, and enjoy.

This slow cooking process allows you to extract the maximum amount of polysaccharides and other beneficial substances from the mushrooms.

In the end, you’ll get about a liter of delicious and healthy drink, packed with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial compounds.

If you want a stronger flavor, you can add another tablespoon of Chaga powder. For a more bitter taste, feel free to include an extra teaspoon of Reishi powder. Customize the recipe to your liking!
Enjoy!

Health Benefits of Medicinal Mushrooms in Coffee: Chaga, Reishi, Lion's Mane, and Turkey Tail

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus): Chaga grows on birch trees and contains high levels of antioxidants. Interestingly, it absorbs betulin from birch, which has potential anti-cancer properties.
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum): Known as the “mushroom of immortality,” Reishi reduces stress and improves sleep. In ancient China, only emperors had access to this powerful mushroom.
Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus): Lion’s Mane improves cognitive function and stimulates the growth of nerve cells. It is being researched for its potential in treating neurological disorders.
Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor): Turkey Tail contains polysaccharides PSK and PSP, which are used in cancer therapies in Japan. It also helps balance gut flora.

Recommendations

I usually buy Chaga powder at a Russian pharmacy and recommend the one pictured below. The package contains 20 filter bags, enough for five preparations of mushroom coffee. The text on the package is in Russian, but I managed to read that the Chaga comes from the Altai Mountains, a mountain range in southern Siberia.

Chaga is quite rare in the Balkans and difficult to find in nature, so buying it is often the more practical option for me. On the other hand, when I come across Reishi, Turkey Tail, or Lion’s Mane in the forest, I feel a special sense of satisfaction – every trip into nature becomes a true adventure in search of these medicinal treasures.

I haven’t had the chance to experiment with Cordyceps yet, so I’d love to hear about your experiences! If you’ve already used this mushroom or have a special recipe, feel free to share it with me in the comments.

This is my first blog post, and I hope you enjoyed it. If you’d like to explore more of my work, visit my shop page, where you can find my photography collections. Thank you for reading, and I look forward to your comments and feedback!