Part of our Mushroom Coffee guide library.
Short answer: Mushroom coffee mostly tastes like coffee, often a little milder and smoother, with a faint earthy note in the background. It does not taste like cooked mushrooms, because most products use dried mushroom extracts blended into the coffee. How it tastes depends on how much coffee each serving contains and which mushrooms are used: reishi, for example, can add bitterness. Milk, oat milk, a little sweetener or cinnamon make it taste more like a regular coffee drink.
The word "mushroom" puts a lot of people off before they ever take a sip. If you are wondering whether mushroom coffee tastes like a mushroom soup, a regular latte or something in between, here is what to expect and how to make it taste the way you like.
What you'll learn
- What mushroom coffee actually tastes like
- Why some blends taste more bitter or earthy than others
- How it compares with regular coffee
- Easy ways to make it taste better
What does mushroom coffee taste like?
| Quality | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Main flavor | Coffee, usually milder than a regular cup |
| Background notes | Earthy, slightly woody; some blends are a little more bitter |
| Mushroom flavor | Faint or none; it does not taste like cooked mushrooms |
| Body and texture | Like instant coffee; powders can feel slightly gritty if not fully stirred in |
| With milk | Close to a mild latte |
It usually comes across as a softer coffee rather than a "mushroom drink." First impressions vary, though, so it is worth trying it both black and with milk before deciding.
Why it tastes that way
It is mostly coffee. Mushroom coffee is regular coffee blended with mushroom extracts. NeuroCoffee, for example, contains instant Arabica coffee (made with 100% Arabica beans) with lion's mane, chaga, cordyceps, reishi and turkey tail extracts, plus Alpha-GPC (Product Facts).
There is less coffee per cup. Because part of each serving is mushroom extract, mushroom coffee usually contains less coffee than a regular cup, which is one reason it tastes milder. One serving of NeuroCoffee has 30 mg of caffeine (Product Facts), while a 12-ounce cup of regular brewed coffee has about 113 to 247 mg (FDA).
Some mushrooms are bitter. Reishi is known for bitterness: in one analysis, a high amount of triterpenic acids accounted for the bitter taste of a reishi-type mushroom and its extract, and the amount varied a lot between species and strains (Hennicke et al., 2016). That is why two mushroom coffees can taste quite different even when the labels look similar.
Mushroom coffee vs regular coffee: taste at a glance
| Mushroom coffee | Regular brewed coffee | |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee strength | Milder; less coffee per serving | Full coffee flavor |
| Bitterness | Varies with the mushrooms used | Varies with roast and brewing |
| Earthy notes | Often a faint earthy background | Depends on the beans |
| Caffeine | NeuroCoffee: 30 mg per serving (Product Facts) | About 113–247 mg per 12 fl oz (FDA) |
For a broader comparison beyond taste, see mushroom coffee vs regular coffee.
How to make mushroom coffee taste better
- Stir it fully. Add a splash of hot water first and stir into a smooth paste, then top up. This avoids a gritty texture.
- Add milk or a plant milk. Oat, almond or regular milk softens bitterness and makes it taste like a mild latte.
- Use a little sweetness. A small amount of brown sugar, honey or maple syrup balances earthy notes.
- Add warm spices. Cinnamon, cocoa or vanilla pair well with the earthy flavor.
- Try it iced. Many people find an iced version smoother, especially with milk.
Recipes to try: Brown Sugar NeuroCoffee Latte and NeuroCoffee Frappe.
Is mushroom coffee right for you?
If you like coffee but want a lighter caffeine dose, the taste is an easy switch. If you dislike any bitterness, start with milk and a little sweetener, or try a matcha-based blend instead; see mushroom matcha vs mushroom coffee. Keep in mind that mushroom coffee still contains caffeine; see does mushroom coffee have caffeine?
Common myths (quick reality check)
Myth: Mushroom coffee tastes like mushrooms. Reality: Most blends taste mainly like coffee, with only a faint earthy note, because they use dried extracts rather than cooked mushrooms.
Myth: All mushroom coffees taste the same. Reality: Taste depends on how much coffee is in each serving and which mushrooms are used; reishi, for example, can add bitterness.
Myth: Mushroom coffee is caffeine-free. Reality: Most mushroom coffee is real coffee and contains caffeine, usually less than a regular cup.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What does mushroom coffee taste like?
Mostly like coffee, usually milder and smoother, with a faint earthy note. It does not taste like cooked mushrooms.
Does mushroom coffee taste like mushrooms?
Not really. Most products use dried mushroom extracts blended into coffee, so the coffee flavor dominates and any mushroom note is faint.
Is mushroom coffee bitter?
It can be slightly bitter, depending on the coffee and the mushrooms. Reishi in particular can add bitterness. Milk or a little sweetener balances it.
Does mushroom coffee taste like regular coffee?
It tastes similar but milder, because each serving usually contains less coffee than a regular cup. With milk, it tastes much like a mild latte.
How can I make mushroom coffee taste better?
Stir it into a smooth paste first, then add milk or a plant milk, a little sweetener, and warm spices like cinnamon. Many people also find an iced version smoother.
Related guides
- What does matcha taste like?
- Does mushroom coffee have caffeine?
- Mushroom coffee: benefits, ingredients and what the research shows
- Mushroom coffee vs regular coffee
- Mushroom matcha: what it is and how it compares
- When to drink mushroom coffee
Disclaimer and when to seek help
This article is for general education and is not medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Mushroom coffee contains caffeine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, sensitive to caffeine, take medication, or have a health condition.
References
- OurJrney. Product Facts: serving size, caffeine and full ingredient lists taken from each product label.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). "Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine Is Too Much?".
- Hennicke F, et al. "Distinguishing commercially grown Ganoderma lucidum from Ganoderma lingzhi from Europe and East Asia on the basis of morphology, molecular phylogeny, and triterpenic acid profiles." Phytochemistry, 2016;127:29-37. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2016.03.012
