The taste is earthy but mellow, which gives a distinct but universal taste (Image: Tom Capon)
I really like coffee. Yes, I know, stop the presses; millennials are fond of coffee, cutlery discovered in the kitchen, and a contentious billionaire located in a tech firm. While this delightful, dark ambrosia is delicious and I rely on it to jump-start my weary 32-year-old mind and occasionally hold my life together, this somewhat magical morning caffeine hit does end up sabotaging another wonderful thing: Sleep.
It’s common knowledge that too much coffee tends to result in restless sleep. That said, little to no coffee means I struggle to respond to the countless daily queries or emails. To combat this, I switched to mushroom coffee – specifically, MOGU’s mushroom coffee.
A unique blend, MOGU combines Arabica beans with Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps and Chaga – three distinct mushrooms with varying effects. These work together to enhance mental clarity, bolster the immune system and provide clean energy.
That sounds like the perfect trifecta, provided it passes the taste test. After brewing my first batch, I took a deep sniff and, instead of nutty undertones, my nostrils were filled with the earthy scent of mushrooms.
It certainly catches you off guard initially, especially when accustomed to the traditional aroma of coffee, but the nose is a potent tool. From one sniff, you can tell it’s infused with the unmistakable fragrance of mushrooms.
However, upon sampling the drink, this is far from overwhelming. Those who typically avoid mushrooms generally object to the texture rather than the flavour itself, which this naturally lacks. The area where MOGU coffee truly shines is marrying the naturally earthy notes of both mushrooms and coffee, reports the Mirror.
The mushrooms also eliminate any potential bitterness from a black coffee (I drink my coffee black unless it’s iced, because I’m not a monster), instead delivering a smooth, mellow finish.
Nevertheless, I am equally intrigued by the health advantages of the ingredients. I am already a Lion’s Mane enthusiast and have replaced my daily supplement (consuming two of these per day) with this coffee. The ingredient is scientifically supported, with this 2023 study published in the USA’s National Library of Medicine suggesting it ‘may improve speed of performance and reduce subjective stress in healthy, young adults’. Meanwhile, a 2017 animal study indicated it can boost the immune system by stimulating gut bacteria.
Replacing my usual supplement with the coffee, I experienced no decline in the effects from lion’s mane I typically feel each day, including mental clarity. In fact, when I hadn’t consumed the coffee, I noticed, based on how cluttered my mind felt that day.
My only drawback with the coffee is that it didn’t seem to function as a pre-workout. Typically, I’ll enjoy a cuppa before hitting the gym, but it didn’t quite provide the boost I usually expect from traditional coffee. That jittery edge regular coffee caffeine provides is particularly beneficial for morning workouts.
MOGU’s coffee and cacao were not just great substitutes for regular coffee and hot chocolate, but surpassed them (Image: Tom Capon)
However, this is precisely what made it superior to standard coffee for daytime consumption. From the first day I began sampling MOGU, I found myself falling asleep much quicker than usual. The lingering energy I’m accustomed to was almost entirely absent – instead, I felt serene, as though I hadn’t consumed any coffee that day. Never have I slept so soundly since I began drinking coffee regularly (that is, when I started working in earnest).
Coffee isn’t MOGU’s only drink with mushroom and I also gave the brand’s mushroom cacao a go. This drink is crafted with ceremonial cacao, reishi, tremella and poria. The cacao is rich in magnesium, typically used to promote a good night’s sleep, and both the reishi and poria are commonly used for relaxation.
This pairs perfectly with the coffee, just later in the evening, as I could taste the deep earthy flavours on my tongue and ease my muscles after a strenuous day’s work.
Is the MOGU mushroom coffee worth it?
For those grappling with caffeine consumption, the MOGU Mushroom Coffee is a genuine revelation. Not only does it offer a unique yet mild flavour that should appeal to most palates, but the benefits I experienced for unwinding make it worth every penny.
So much so, I’ve nearly polished off the entire tub. While it may not be suitable for pre-workout in my situation, for getting on with tasks at your desk, I can’t find anything superior.
For those exploring alternatives, London Nootropics is another well-liked brand, offering lions mane, chaga and cordyceps too. This product comes in sachets rather than a tub, and is currently available with a 20% discount.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
