Every year on October 1, International Coffee Day brings out the celebrations of the second most consumed beverage worldwide: the number one is … you guessed it: water.
On that day, cafés around the globe launch promotional campaigns, coffee enthusiasts share photos of their favorite brews, and serenade the beverage that powers our mornings.
But in recent years, a new question has emerged: Is regular coffee really the best way to start the day?
For many of us who have had intimate and complicated relationships with coffee throughout our adult lives, the answer is changing. The future of coffee may not be in the beans alone—but in what we blend them with.
In recent years, Mushroom coffee has risen from niche wellness circles to mainstream awareness, gaining popularity internationally. It’s not just another trend—it’s a coffee alternative designed for long-term health and focus, and it is here to stay!
Why We Seek Coffee Alternatives
Coffee connects us. It’s how we start our mornings, how we catch up with friends, how we power through work. But if we’re honest, it doesn’t always love us back. Too many cups can leave us feeling wired, anxious, or just plain tired. Some key reasons why we seek alternatives include:
- The Jitters: Caffeine overstimulates the nervous system, leaving many anxious or restless.
- The Crash: Energy spikes quickly, then drops after a couple of hours as blood sugar and cortisol fluctuate.
- Digestive Issues: Caffeine can cause an upset stomach, it increases stomach acid production and stimulates contractions in the digestive tract.
- Sleep Problems: Caffeine’s half-life (up to 6 hours) means an afternoon cup can still disrupt nighttime rest.
These drawbacks have sparked demand for coffee alternatives; beverages that preserve the ritual but offer smoother energy, cognitive support, and other health benefits beyond a quick buzz.
Mushroom Coffee Explained
As the name suggests, mushroom coffee is a blend of coffee and medicinal mushrooms. Not psychedelic mushrooms, but functional mushrooms; safe, edible species like Lion’s Mane and Reishi, long used in traditional Chinese medicine for many health benefits.
The key is the synergy between coffee and the mushrooms: you still get the alertness of coffee, but with added neuroprotection, stress balance, and immune support.
The Science Behind Mushroom Coffee
What makes this coffee alternative more than hype: it’s not magic, it is science.
Lion’s Mane: Cognitive Clarity
Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is famous for stimulating nerve growth factor (NGF), which helps repair and create new brain cells. Clinical Studies suggest it may improve memory, focus, and even reduce symptoms of mild cognitive impairment.
Reishi: Stress Relief in a Cup
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) has adaptogenic properties—it helps regulate cortisol and calm the nervous system. In the context of coffee, it reduces the “wired but tired” effect caffeine can trigger.
So much more than mushrooms: other botanical ingredients can also provide powerful synergy with coffee:
Ashwagandha & L-Theanine: Balance and Calm
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Ashwagandha root: an adaptogen that lowers cortisol, reduces stress levels and improves endurance and resilience for both our body and mind
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L-Theanine, an amino acid from green tea, works synergistically with caffeine to enhance focus while smoothing out jitters.
Together, these bioactive compounds deliver calm alertness—a unique benefit of mushroom coffee compared to regular brews.
Coffee Alternatives Through History
It’s worth noting: mushroom coffee isn’t the first coffee alternative. During World War II, when coffee beans were scarce, people turned to roasted chicory root, barley, and dandelion root as substitutes.
And modern days offer countless options, such as matcha green tea, herbal teas, and concoctions that taste like dirt, all in the name of quitting coffee for something that is better for you.
Well, there is one problem: none of them can replace the pleasure of sipping coffee: rich aroma, color, and complex flavor profile that only coffee can offer.
Modern coffee alternatives like mushroom coffee don’t just replace coffee—they enhance it. Instead of taking away the pleasure, they elevate with functional upgrades designed for today’s stress-filled, focus-demanding world.
Health Benefits of Mushroom Coffee
Switching to mushroom coffee offers a spectrum of benefits:
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Sustained Energy – The combination of Caffeine + L-Theanine provides smooth focus without the crash.
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Reduced Anxiety – Reishi and Ashwagandha modulate stress responses, making it ideal for those who find regular coffee overstimulating.
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Brain Health – Lion’s Mane stimulates NGF (Nerve Growth Factor), while coffee fruit extract boosts BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) for long-term neuroprotection.
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Gut Support – Mushrooms nourish our guts, which in turn influence mood and immunity.
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Immune Boost – Functional mushrooms are rich in antioxidants and beta-glucans that strengthen immune defences.
It is so much more than a drink to kick start your mornings: it sets the mood and intention that determines how successful the rest of your day will be!
Celebrate International Coffee Day with Mushroom Coffee
If you love rituals, International Coffee Day is the perfect chance to try something new. Here are a few ways to celebrate this year:
1. Brew and Savor Your First Cup of Mushroom Coffee
Choose a blend with Lion’s Mane and Reishi for balanced focus and calm. Enjoy the process as a mindful ritual: smell it, hold it, feel the warmth and savour it sip by sip with your eyes closed.
2. Host a Coffee Swap
Invite friends to try different coffee alternatives—from matcha to chicory to mushroom coffee. Compare how each makes you feel and share your experience with your friends.
Here is one of the comparisons on the most popular mushroom coffees / alternatives that you and your friends might find helpful:
3. Pair with a Brain-Friendly Breakfast
Skip the sugary pastries and pair your mushroom coffee with a brain and mood boosting Omega-3 mushroom omelet or a beet and walnut salad. These meals complement the brain-boosting benefits of functional mushrooms.
4. Learn the Science of Food and Mood
Take 10 minutes to read about the gut-brain axis—the way your gut microbiome affects mood and cognition. Here is one of the blogs that you might find helpful.
Go With Your Gut: How Microbiome-Friendly Foods Boost Your Brain & Mood
Practical Tips for Switching to a Coffee Alternative
- Start Gradually: Replace your second or third coffee with mushroom coffee before swapping your first morning cup. Compare how you feel differently between the cups and make notes as you gradually replace all of your regular coffees.
- Experiment with Flavors: Experiment blends with milk or plant-based milk, cinnamon, cacao, or turmeric to make the transition more effortless and enjoyable.
- Track Your Productivity: Notice whether you feel less jittery, more calm, or more focused after switching for a week.
- Monitor Your Sleep: Keep track of your quality of sleep and how you feel more rested and energized in the morning.
Why Mushroom Coffee Is the Future
We live in a time when many of us expect more from our daily rituals. Just as kombucha replaced soda for health-conscious consumers, and plant-based milk has become mainstream, mushroom coffee is set to become the next big wellness staple.
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It addresses the shortcomings of traditional coffee.
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It aligns with the rise of functional beverages and adaptogenic drinks.
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It offers both instant gratification (focus, energy) and long-term benefits (brain health, stress resilience).
Coffee isn’t going away, but the coffee of the future is smarter, calmer, and happier.
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This International Coffee Day, upgrade your ritual with JostArriba, a smooth, delicious coffee alternative crafted with organic Colombian beans, Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Ashwagandha, and L-Theanine. It’s so much more than mushroom coffee; It’s clinically proven to help you feel better, in both body and mind. Sip smarter with Eightbillion. |
