Mushroom coffee has a small branding problem. Before you’ve even opened the bag, you might be imagining the liquid left in a frying pan after cooking breakfast. Understandable, but not especially tempting.
Mushroom coffee can taste like regular coffee with earthy notes, or more like a chocolatey, spiced drink. The biggest difference is the base: some blends contain actual coffee, while coffee-free alternatives use ingredients such as cacao.
So if you’re wondering whether you’ll enjoy it, “does it contain mushrooms?” is only the beginning. What else is in the bag matters just as much.
Does mushroom coffee taste like mushrooms?
Not necessarily in the way you might expect. In its taste tests, Serious Eats found that mushroom-infused ground coffees tasted broadly like coffee with a little earthiness, while powdered blends varied with their other ingredients. Some had noticeable savoury notes. There isn’t one flavour shared by every mushroom coffee.
That makes the ingredient list a more useful starting point than the name on the front. If you dislike mushrooms on toast, you don’t have to rule out every mushroom drink. Equally, nobody can promise you won’t notice an earthy flavour in a particular blend. Taste is personal and recipes differ.
Why some mushroom coffees taste like coffee
Some mushroom coffees contain ground or instant coffee alongside mushroom ingredients. Others are coffee-free drinks. Check the label to see which you’re considering.
If the thing you love most about your morning drink is the flavour of espresso, think carefully about that distinction. You may want something that stays close to your usual brew. If you’re open to a different flavour but still want a warm cup with your breakfast, a cacao-based coffee alternative gives you another direction to explore.
Neither choice requires you to convince yourself that two different drinks taste identical. You can enjoy your new cup for what it is.
What does Earthrise taste like?
Earthrise’s Original Blend coffee alternative combines cacao, seven mushrooms and spices, without coffee beans. Its flavour profile centres on dark chocolate and warming spice. Think of a spiced cacao drink as your starting reference, rather than an espresso.
If you’re comparing blends, Stellar Mind has a dark chocolate profile with nutty caramel undertones. Those are tasting notes, rather than a claim that it contains caramel or nuts; check the product’s ingredient and allergen information for the full details.
A useful first-cup expectation is something you can make your own with milk and a little sweetness, if that’s how you like your drinks. There’s no prize for drinking it black when you’d enjoy it more as a latte.
Is mushroom coffee bitter or sweet?
Check whether your chosen blend contains sugar, sweeteners or a creamer, then prepare the recommended serving before adjusting it. That gives you a fair starting point. Adding your usual amount of sweetener automatically can leave you with a drink that’s sweeter than you wanted.
With a chocolate-flavoured blend, it also helps to think about the chocolate you normally enjoy. Someone who loves dark chocolate may want a different balance from someone who usually orders a sweet hot chocolate. Use that preference to guide how much milk and sweetness you add, rather than assuming there’s one correct way to drink it.
How to make your first cup taste good
Start with the instructions on the pack. For Earthrise Original Blend, that means one level tablespoon, or 7 g, mixed thoroughly with 150 mL of hot water, then milk or sweetness to taste. A frother or self-stirring mug helps combine the powder.
Avoid filling your largest mug to the top before you’ve tasted anything. Try the recommended amount of water first, then adjust. If the flavour is too strong for you, add a little more liquid. If it seems thin, use less liquid next time while keeping to the recommended powder serving.
Your usual milk is a sensible place to begin. Try a splash, taste, and add more if you prefer a milkier drink. A small amount of honey or another sweetener is an option too. Change one thing at a time so you know what made the difference.
Pay attention to mixing as well as flavour. If your first sip contains a clump of powder, mix it again before deciding the drink isn’t for you. Follow any preparation guidance for your particular blend rather than expecting every mushroom powder to behave like instant coffee.
Choosing a coffee alternative you’ll actually drink
Before buying, ask yourself what you’re hoping to keep from your current routine. Is it the coffee flavour, the warm mug, the milky texture or simply having something enjoyable while you ease into the day? That answer will help you choose more than a long list of ingredients will.
If you’re curious about cacao and warming spice, our seven-serving Original Blend gives you a smaller bag to start with. Try it a few ways and find the cup you enjoy.
Your morning drink should earn its place because you look forward to it. The best bit of a new ritual is realising you no longer have to talk yourself into making it.
Frequently asked questions
Does mushroom coffee taste exactly like normal coffee?
Some coffee-based blends can be close. A coffee-free cacao blend offers a different flavour, so check what the product is made from before choosing.
Can I add milk to mushroom coffee?
Yes, Earthrise Original Blend can be prepared with hot water and finished with milk to taste. For other products, follow the preparation instructions on the pack.
Does a chocolatey mushroom drink still contain caffeine?
It can. Earthrise Original Blend and Stellar Mind contain no coffee, but their cacao-based recipes each list 15 mg of caffeine per 7 g serving. Coffee-free does not automatically mean caffeine-free.
What if I don’t like my first cup?
Check that you used the recommended serving and mixed it thoroughly. Then try adjusting the milk or sweetness to suit your preferences. If the underlying flavour still isn’t for you, a different style of coffee alternative may be a better fit.
