Nicole DiPietro
Co-Founder & Master Blender
How to Make Mushroom Coffee Taste Better: 12 Delicious Ways to Upgrade Your Cup
Let's be honest: not everyone falls in love with mushroom coffee on the first sip. While quality mushroom coffee shouldn't taste "mushroomy," it does have an earthier, sometimes more bitter profile than regular coffee.
The good news? With a few simple additions and techniques, you can transform your mushroom coffee from "I'm drinking this for the benefits" to "I genuinely look forward to this every morning."
Here are 12 ways to make your mushroom coffee taste amazing.
Understanding Mushroom Coffee's Flavor Profile
Before we dive into improvements, let's understand what we're working with:
Common Flavor Notes:
- Earthiness (from the mushroom extracts)
- Slight bitterness (from both coffee and some mushrooms)
- Nuttiness (especially with Chaga)
- Umami undertones (subtle savory notes)
Quality mushroom coffee should taste primarily like coffee with subtle depth. If yours tastes strongly of mushrooms or is unpleasantly bitter, you might want to try a different brand first.
Quick Fixes (Under 30 Seconds)
1. Add a Pinch of Salt
Why it works: Salt is a natural bitterness blocker. A tiny pinch (1/16 teaspoon) neutralizes bitter compounds without making your coffee taste salty.
How to do it: Add the salt to your grounds before brewing, or stir it into your finished cup.
Pro tip: This works especially well for mushroom coffees containing Chaga or Reishi, which can have more bitter notes.
2. Use Cinnamon
Why it works: Cinnamon adds natural sweetness and warmth without calories. It also pairs beautifully with the earthy notes in mushroom coffee.
How to do it: Add 1/4 teaspoon to your grounds before brewing, or sprinkle on top of your finished cup.
Bonus: Cinnamon may help regulate blood sugarâcomplementing the adaptogenic benefits you're already getting.
3. Try Vanilla Extract
Why it works: A drop or two of pure vanilla extract adds sweetness and rounds out any harsh edges.
How to do it: Add 1/4 teaspoon to your finished cup and stir well.
Pro tip: Use pure vanilla extract, not imitation. The real thing makes a noticeable difference.
Creamy Additions
4. Oat Milk
Why it works: Oat milk's natural sweetness and creamy texture complement mushroom coffee beautifully. It's also more neutral than some dairy alternatives.
How to do it: Add 2-4 tablespoons to your cup, or froth it for a latte experience.
Best for: Those who find mushroom coffee too intense or bitter.
5. Coconut Cream
Why it works: The richness of coconut cream masks any earthiness while adding a subtle tropical note. It also provides healthy fats that may help with mushroom absorption.
How to do it: Add 1-2 tablespoons of full-fat coconut cream and stir well.
Note: This will add calories, so factor that in if you're tracking intake.
6. Grass-Fed Butter or Ghee
Why it works: The "bulletproof" approach creates an incredibly creamy, satisfying cup. The fats mellow the flavor and add richness.
How to do it: Add 1 tablespoon of butter or ghee to your hot coffee and blend (a milk frother works) until creamy.
Note: This breaks a fast for autophagy purposes, so save it for your eating window if you're intermittent fasting.
Natural Sweeteners
7. Raw Honey
Why it works: Honey adds sweetness while contributing its own health benefits. Local raw honey may even support seasonal allergy resilience.
How to do it: Add 1 teaspoon to your warm (not boiling) coffee and stir well.
Pro tip: Wait until your coffee cools slightlyâextreme heat can destroy some of honey's beneficial compounds.
8. Maple Syrup
Why it works: Real maple syrup adds a warm, caramel-like sweetness that pairs exceptionally well with mushroom coffee's earthiness.
How to do it: Add 1-2 teaspoons to your cup and stir.
Best for: Those who enjoy a richer, more dessert-like coffee experience.
9. Monk Fruit or Stevia
Why it works: These zero-calorie sweeteners won't spike blood sugar and work well during fasting windows.
How to do it: Start with a small amount (these are very sweet) and adjust to taste.
Caution: Some people find these sweeteners have an aftertaste. Try different brands if the first one doesn't work for you.
Flavor Boosters
10. Cacao Powder
Why it works: Raw cacao adds chocolate depth, antioxidants, and pairs naturally with mushroom coffee's earthy profile. It's essentially a healthy mocha.
How to do it: Add 1 teaspoon of raw cacao powder to your cup and stir well (it can clump, so whisk thoroughly).
Level up: Combine cacao with a splash of oat milk and a touch of maple syrup for a guilt-free mocha.
11. Collagen Powder
Why it works: Unflavored collagen dissolves completely and adds a subtle creaminess while providing protein for hair, skin, nails, and joints.
How to do it: Add 1 scoop (typically 10g) to your hot coffee and stir until dissolved.
Note: This will break a fast for autophagy purposes due to the protein/amino acid content.
12. Maca Powder
Why it works: Maca has a malty, slightly butterscotch-like flavor that complements mushroom coffee. It's also an adaptogen, amplifying the stress-support benefits.
How to do it: Add 1 teaspoon to your cup and blend or whisk well.
Bonus: Maca may support energy, hormone balance, and moodâstacking benefits with your mushroom coffee.
Brewing Tips for Better Taste
Sometimes the issue isn't what you addâit's how you brew:
Water Temperature
Problem: Water that's too hot extracts more bitter compounds.
Solution: Use water between 195-205°F (90-96°C), not boiling. Let boiling water cool for 30-60 seconds before brewing.
Water Quality
Problem: Tap water with chlorine or minerals can affect taste.
Solution: Use filtered water for noticeably cleaner flavor.
Don't Over-Extract
Problem: Steeping too long increases bitterness.
Solution: Follow the recommended brewing time for your specific product. For instant mushroom coffee, stir well but don't let it sit too long before drinking.
Proper Ratios
Problem: Too much or too little coffee affects the balance.
Solution: Follow package directions initially, then adjust to your preference. Some people prefer slightly more water to reduce intensity.
Recipe: The Perfect Mushroom Coffee Latte
Here's a tried-and-true recipe that makes mushroom coffee genuinely delicious:
Ingredients:
- 1 serving mushroom coffee
- 6-8 oz hot water (195-205°F)
- 1/4 cup oat milk (or milk of choice)
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon raw honey or maple syrup
- Tiny pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Brew mushroom coffee with hot water
- Add salt and cinnamon, stir well
- Heat and froth the oat milk
- Add sweetener to the coffee
- Top with frothed milk
- Sprinkle extra cinnamon on top
This combination hits all the right notes: the salt cuts bitterness, cinnamon adds warmth, oat milk provides creaminess, and a touch of sweetness rounds everything out.
What to Avoid
Some additions work against mushroom coffee's benefits:
- Excessive sugar: Defeats the purpose of choosing a healthier coffee alternative
- Artificial sweeteners: Some may cause digestive issues or have controversial health effects
- Heavy flavored creamers: Often loaded with sugar and artificial ingredients
- Too many additions: Sometimes less is moreâstart simple and add one thing at a time
Frequently Asked Questions
Will adding things reduce the mushroom benefits?
Generally no. The active compounds in functional mushrooms aren't affected by milk, sweeteners, or spices. The exception: if you're fasting, additions with calories will technically break your fast.
My mushroom coffee tastes like dirt. What's wrong?
This usually indicates a low-quality product rather than a fixable taste issue. Quality mushroom coffee should taste like coffee with subtle earthy depth, not like actual mushrooms or dirt. Try a different brand.
Can I add these to iced mushroom coffee?
Absolutely! Most additions work hot or cold. For iced versions, dissolve any powders in a small amount of hot water first, then add ice and cold milk.
What's the healthiest way to make it taste better?
Cinnamon + a pinch of salt adds no calories, no sugar, and both have potential health benefits. This is the best option for those wanting to keep it clean.
The Bottom Line
Mushroom coffee doesn't have to be something you tolerateâit can be something you genuinely enjoy. Start with a quality product, use proper brewing technique, and experiment with additions until you find your perfect cup.
Most people find that a simple combinationâlike oat milk and cinnamon, or cacao and maple syrupâis all it takes to transform their mushroom coffee experience.
The best mushroom coffee is the one you'll actually drink consistently. Find your formula, and you'll look forward to it every morning.
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