The world has been hooked on caffeine for hundreds of years, and within the yr 2025 the scientific argument over whether or not espresso is sweet or dangerous for you stays unsettled. One would possibly consider the dearth of consensus is a Mainstream Media™ psyop to maintain folks scrambling for marketable options to an issue that’s utterly made up, however the cottage trade of espresso options that’s proliferated by this limitless tug of warfare is an attention-grabbing end result no matter which aspect you’re on. That is the place mushroom espresso makes its inevitable entrance.
Some fast googling revealed 10 identified gamers within the sport, all of which provide their very own riff on a typical base formulation of dried mushrooms–normally a combo of lion’s mane, chaga, and cordyceps—boosted with buzzy add-ons like probiotics and nootropics. I spent per week with every, together with our prime choose, Atlas Espresso Membership’s Latte Superblend ($19), swapping out my morning espresso for every model’s beneficial dose of powder and scorching water. After day 5 I allowed myself to experiment with sweeteners and milks, which you’ll want with virtually all of those to get via all the cup with out gagging.
{Photograph}: Pete Cottell
Some hit like a gentle cup of espresso, some have been precise espresso, and others have been uncanny concoctions no regular particular person would ever crave except they have been absolutely indoctrinated within the heady way of life this distinctive alt-beverage trade revolves round. I laughed, I cried, I bought the runs, and I crashed on my sofa within the early afternoon extra instances than I might depend, all for science, and all so that you don’t have to do that by yourself.
Up to date June 2025: We have added Cuppa, Rasa, and Om Grasp Mix to the rankings, and checked hyperlinks and costs for accuracy.
Additionally you should definitely try our guides to the Finest Espresso Subscriptions, Finest Vitality Drinks, Finest Espresso Makers, and Finest Electrical Kettles.