Part of our Alpha GPC & NeuroMatcha guide library.
Short answer: Mushroom matcha is powdered matcha green tea blended with functional mushroom extracts such as lion's mane or reishi. Compared with mushroom coffee, its caffeine comes from tea instead of coffee, it naturally contains L-theanine, and it is often lower in caffeine: one serving of NeuroMatcha has 17.64 mg, versus 30 mg in NeuroCoffee. Research on mushroom matcha blends themselves is limited, so what we know comes from studies of the individual ingredients.
Mushroom matcha has become a popular alternative for people who want something gentler than coffee. Here is what is actually in it, how it compares with mushroom coffee, what the research on its ingredients shows, and how to make it.
What you'll learn
- What mushroom matcha is and what goes into it
- How it compares with mushroom coffee, including caffeine
- What studies on matcha's caffeine, L-theanine and mushrooms found
- How to make it, and who should be careful
What is mushroom matcha?
Matcha is green tea grown in the shade and ground into a fine powder, so you drink the whole leaf. Shading the tea plants raises their theanine and caffeine content (Chen et al., 2022). In one lab analysis, matcha contained about 16 mg of caffeine and about 10 mg of L-theanine per gram (Koláčková et al., 2022); amounts vary by product and grade.
Mushroom matcha adds extracts of mushrooms like lion's mane, reishi or cordyceps, and some blends add other ingredients. For example, NeuroMatcha contains organic matcha, a six-mushroom blend (cordyceps, lion's mane, shiitake, king trumpet, reishi, turkey tail), Alpha-GPC, MCT oil, coconut milk powder, blue spirulina and Himalayan pink salt (Product Facts).
Mushroom matcha vs mushroom coffee
| Mushroom matcha | Mushroom coffee | |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Matcha green tea powder | Coffee (often instant) |
| Caffeine per serving | NeuroMatcha: 17.64 mg (Product Facts) | NeuroCoffee: 30 mg (Product Facts) |
| L-theanine | Naturally present in matcha | Not present in coffee |
| Flavor | Grassy, slightly sweet green tea | Coffee flavor |
| Good fit if you | Want less caffeine or prefer tea | Want the taste and ritual of coffee |
For context, a 12-ounce cup of regular brewed coffee has about 113 to 247 mg of caffeine (FDA). See how much caffeine mushroom coffee has for a full comparison.
What the research says
There are no published trials on mushroom matcha blends as a whole, so the evidence comes from their ingredients:
- Caffeine and L-theanine: a review of 49 human studies found that caffeine improved alertness and performance on long, demanding tasks even at 40 mg; L-theanine alone improved relaxation starting at about 200 mg; and the two together particularly improved attention switching (Dietz & Dekker, 2017). In another study, 97 mg of L-theanine with 40 mg of caffeine improved task-switching accuracy and alertness (Giesbrecht et al., 2010).
- Lion's mane: one 1.8 g dose was linked to faster performance on an attention test after 60 minutes in a small pilot study, while 28 days showed only a trend toward lower stress (Docherty et al., 2023). Memorial Sloan Kettering describes the clinical data as limited (MSKCC).
A realistic expectation: a gram of matcha held about 10 mg of L-theanine in one analysis, while the studies above used 50 to 200 mg. A cup of mushroom matcha is a gentle, lower-caffeine drink, not a dose that matches those trials.
How to make mushroom matcha
- Add one serving (follow your label; NeuroMatcha is 2 tablespoons, 6 g) to a mug or bowl.
- Pour in a little hot water, not boiling, and whisk or froth until smooth.
- Top up with more hot water or warm milk for a latte, or shake with cold water and ice.
Recipe ideas: Flow-State Iced Latte, Strawberry Matcha Latte and Iced Matcha Lemonade.
Who should be careful
- Caffeine-sensitive people: even a lower-caffeine drink contains caffeine. Check with a provider if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have anxiety, insomnia, an irregular heartbeat or high blood pressure (MedlinePlus).
- People taking medication: mushroom supplements can interact with some medicines; lion's mane has been linked to stomach discomfort, nausea and rash (MSKCC).
- Anyone using blends with Alpha-GPC: read our Alpha GPC safety guide, especially if you have heart or stroke risk factors.
Common myths (quick reality check)
Myth: Mushroom matcha tastes like mushrooms. Reality: Flavor depends on the blend; many taste mostly of matcha, especially as a latte.
Myth: Mushroom matcha is caffeine-free. Reality: Matcha naturally contains caffeine. NeuroMatcha has 17.64 mg per serving.
Myth: It gives the same effect as the L-theanine studies. Reality: A cup usually contains far less L-theanine than the 50 to 200 mg used in studies.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is mushroom matcha?
It is powdered matcha green tea blended with functional mushroom extracts such as lion's mane or reishi, sometimes with other ingredients.
Does mushroom matcha have caffeine?
Yes. Matcha naturally contains caffeine. One serving of NeuroMatcha has 17.64 mg, compared with about 113 to 247 mg in a 12-ounce cup of regular brewed coffee.
Is mushroom matcha better than mushroom coffee?
Neither is better for everyone. Mushroom matcha usually has less caffeine and naturally contains L-theanine; mushroom coffee tastes like coffee. Choose the one that suits your caffeine tolerance and taste.
Does mushroom matcha taste like mushrooms?
It depends on the blend. Many taste mostly of matcha, a grassy, slightly sweet green tea flavor, especially when made as a latte.
Can I drink mushroom matcha every day?
Most healthy adults can, as long as total caffeine from all sources stays within about 400 mg a day. Check with your doctor if you take medication or are pregnant.
Related guides
- Why Alpha GPC is paired with matcha
- Does mushroom coffee have caffeine?
- Is mushroom coffee good for you?
- A morning focus routine with matcha and Alpha GPC
- Lion's mane mushroom supplements: do they work?
Disclaimer and when to seek help
This article is for general education and is not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your health care provider before using mushroom or caffeinated products if you are pregnant or nursing, take medication, or have a medical condition.
References
- Koláčková T, et al. "The effect of in vitro digestion on matcha tea (Camellia sinensis) active components and antioxidant activity." Antioxidants, 2022;11(5):889. doi:10.3390/antiox11050889
- Chen X, et al. "Effect of shading on the morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics as well as the transcriptome of matcha green tea." International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022;23(22):14169. doi:10.3390/ijms232214169
- Dietz C, Dekker M. "Effect of green tea phytochemicals on mood and cognition." Current Pharmaceutical Design, 2017;23(19):2876-2905. doi:10.2174/1381612823666170105151800
- Giesbrecht T, et al. "The combination of L-theanine and caffeine improves cognitive performance and increases subjective alertness." Nutritional Neuroscience, 2010;13(6):283-290. doi:10.1179/147683010X12611460764840
- Nobre AC, Rao A, Owen GN. "L-theanine, a natural constituent in tea, and its effect on mental state." Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2008;17(Suppl 1):167-168. PubMed 18296328
- Docherty S, et al. "The acute and chronic effects of Lion's Mane mushroom supplementation on cognitive function, stress and mood in young adults." Nutrients, 2023;15(22):4842. doi:10.3390/nu15224842
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. "About Herbs: Lion's Mane Mushroom". Updated June 2024.
- MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). "Caffeine".
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine Is Too Much?"
