Touted as a healthier alternative to your usual cup of coffee, Decaf mushroom coffee is a mix of ground beans with medicinal mushrooms. The ingredients include chaga, reishi, turkey tail, and cordyceps, which are all known to have various health benefits, including boosting immunity. The blend is advertised to improve focus and mental clarity, boost energy levels, reduce stress, and support healthy immune function.

The fungi in mushroom coffee undergo a drying, extraction and grinding process before they are mixed with ground coffee beans to create the beverage, which is usually less caffeinated than traditional coffee. The result is sold as instant coffee, latte mixes and pods that promise the same perks as your typical cup of joe with a lower caffeine content.

Decaf Mushroom Coffee: The Caffeine-Free Alternative

While the fungi used in mushroom coffee have some impressive health claims, many of the results reported in studies on these types of mushrooms are based on test tubes and animal research, which isn’t always reliable. In addition, most mushroom coffee products don’t disclose how much of each ingredient is included in the mix, so it can be hard to determine whether the claimed nutrient amounts are adequate for positive effects.

Ultimately, you’re better off sticking with plain old coffee and enjoying whole mushrooms in salads, soups, stir fry and chili to reap the potential health benefits of this versatile food. Mushrooms provide nutrients like vitamins B2, B3, B5, folic acid, potassium, selenium and more. Plus, they’re full of fiber that helps prevent bloating and supports digestion.