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Table of Contents
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Table of Contents
Contents
By
Ru Chen
Key Takeaways
Mushroom coffee fuses traditional coffee with medicinal mushrooms. The result can taste grounding and earthy, distinctly bitter, or uniquely shroomy. Using spices and sweeteners can complement or mask the mushroom coffee flavor, aroma, and mouthfeel.
Let’s go over how to elevate the flavor of mushroom coffee using barista-approved pairings.
Flavor compatibility is real. Some things naturally taste good together. Adding the same spice to different dishes won’t have the same result.
When you add a spice or sweetener to mushroom coffee, it’s a lot like cooking–you need to think of the flavor theory. Every mushroom has a distinct taste. Before we dive into the best pairings, let’s review the flavor profiles of the mushrooms most commonly used in mushroom coffees:
Mushroom coffee is often described as having earthy notes. That means it has a savory, bold flavor. To people who can’t acquire the taste for mushroom coffee, it may even taste leathery or dirt-like. Earthy mushroom coffee tends to pair well with most sweeteners and spices.
Nutty mushrooms can taste similar to hazelnuts and almonds. Lion’s Mane can have a slightly nutty taste.
Many mushrooms with medicinal and functional benefits taste bitter. The Reishi mushroom, for example, has a notable bitterness. Works well with cacao and other strong flavorings.
Umami is the taste of savoriness. For example, Turkey Tail and Maitake are mushrooms that have a broth-like umami depth.
Sweet, spicy, creamy, or acidic elements can elevate the mushroom coffee tasting experience. However, too much of any single element can be detrimental to the overall flavor of the cup. Imbalances can also lead to gritty or greasy mouthfeels, and nobody likes coffee textured like oily dirt.
The central idea behind flavor pairing is balance. For example, spice can brighten earthiness, whereas creaminess can round out sharpness. Baristas also think in layers: what flavor reaches the palate during a sip? How does the aroma affect the tasting experience? What ingredients create depth and complexity in the cup to make it a more interesting brew?
For mushroom coffee, baristas typically choose flavors that can soften or complement the mushroom’s special qualities. Complementary flavors are better than overpowering ones.
Mushroom coffee presents itself as a canvas with strong character. Sometimes bitter, sometimes woody, and often earthy. The right flavor pairings will work to bring out the mushroom coffee’s depths, making it a more enjoyable cup either as an occasional indulgence or as a daily brew.
Let’s go over the best flavor pairings for mushroom coffee.
Cinnamon has an iconic warmth, making it especially popular during wintertime. Some people may find cinnamon pungent or overpowering, so be careful using it with lighter roasts or milder mushrooms–it may vanish the mushroom flavor too effectively, which may not be your goal.
To get the most out of adding cinnamon to mushroom coffee, add a light dusting of cinnamon on top of the brew.
Why it works: It adds warmth, a mild sweetness, and a delightful aroma
How to use: Stir cinnamon into mushroom coffee or sprinkle lightly on top of latte
Recipe idea: Cinnamon Mushroom Latte
Cacao tastes a lot like some mushrooms, with notes of bitterness. Cacao powder is more acidic than mushroom coffee, and it pairs well with both the woody Chaga and the bitter Reishi. Adding cacao to a cup of mushroom coffee can make it taste more darkly indulgent.
Why it works: Cacao’s bitterness complements the umami flavor of mushrooms, enhancing the natural flavor without undercutting it
How to use: Blend 1 tsp of cacao powder into a hot cup of mushroom coffee or latte
Recipe idea: Mushroom Mocha Bliss (mushroom coffee + cacao + maple syrup)
Coconut milk has been a recent favorite for coffee drinkers. It’s sweet and tropical, adding a creamy texture to any brew.
Why it works: masks bitterness, adds body and natural sweetness
How to use: Use coconut milk as a base for mushroom lattes
Recipe idea: Iced Coconut Mushroom Latte
Adding citrus can go wrong if you aren’t careful. It’s very acidic and bright, which can easily power through the earthy bitterness of mushroom coffee. It can also balance out some of the umami flavor if you find that overwhelming.
Avoid adding too much citrus, just a little bit of zest is typically more than enough.
Why it works: The acidity of citrus cuts through the earthiness while adding high, bright top notes
How to use: Add orange zest to iced mushroom coffee; lemon zest into hot brews
Recipe idea: Citrus Cold Brew Twist (mushroom cold brew + orange zest + honey)
Vanilla is one of the most popular sweeteners for coffee. It’s excellent at balancing out the acidic bitterness of coffee.
Compared to other flavorings, vanilla has a less complex flavor profile. It may not be as effective a sweetener if you add it to a mushroom coffee dark roast. However, if you add it to mushroom coffee of a light or medium roast level, it will work wonderfully.
Why it works: smooths out bitterness and adds a sweet bakery note
How to use: Stir a ½ tsp vanilla extract into hot mushroom coffee or add vanilla-infused syrup
Recipe idea: Vanilla Mushroom Macchiato
Chai spices include cardamom, ginger, star anise, cloves, and cinnamon. You can use warm chai spices to really intensify the mushroom coffee experience.
Cardamom in particular works well with lighter, milder mushroom coffee. It’s good with Lion’s Mane mushroom coffee, which only has a slight earthy taste.
Why it works: Intensifies warmth, resulting in a comforting spiced drink
How to use: Simmer with coffee or add chai concentrate
Recipe idea: Mushroom Chai Fusion
Many people prefer natural sweeteners. Maple syrup is commonly used for pancakes and waffles, but don’t underestimate its versatility. You can drizzle a spoonful of the viscous maple syrup over your mushroom coffee to add a gentle sweetness to bitter or savory mushroom coffee.
Honey is another iconic sweetener that is rich in antioxidants. It is one of the most beneficial ingredients in human history, used for countless culinary and medicinal purposes.
Why it works: Syrups and honey add a gentle sweetness that isn’t overpowering
How to use: Stir in 1 tsp per cup of mushroom coffee powder. Drizzle on top for a pretty aesthetic
Recipe idea: Maple Mushroom Cortado
When blending fats into coffee, a special technique is required. If you stir normally, it can result in an uneven flavor or a disturbing greasiness. Baristas use emulsification to create a smooth cup of mushroom coffee. To do this, you need to:
Emulsifying the fats also helps enhance the overall aroma and texture of the mushroom coffee.
Mouthfeel greatly affects how we perceive a cup of coffee, even if you don’t consciously think about it when the coffee is good. If the texture is bad, it’s bad.
If you want café-quality texture, we recommend using a milk frother or blender when brewing mushroom coffee with milk. For nut milk, butter, or fats, it’s important to use a frother or blender since these are harder to mix by hand.
Tip: Use warm/hot water to prep instant mushroom blends since heat makes it easier to dissolve powders.
Don’t be scared to experiment just because you haven’t seen it online! We love trying out special versions of mushroom coffee, such as mushroom cold brews and fruity lattes with coconut milk. With summer here, a little bit of zest is a great way to enhance the mushroom coffee experience.
If you want to sweeten your mushroom coffee, choose a sweetener like maple syrup or cinnamon. Too much sugar can clash terribly with the natural complexity of mushrooms. It can also be difficult to dissolve, making for a grittier texture and a slower brew.
Compared to natural sweeteners, artificial flavorings may oddly amplify the bitterness. They can also pose potential health risks. Try to avoid artificial flavorings and sweeteners.
Mint can overpower the complexities of mushroom coffee. It chases away the umami of mushrooms and leaves behind a toothpaste-like flavor. You are free to try it to see if it suits you, but baristas recommend staying away from mint and mushroom.
If coffee is an entire world to explore, think of mushroom coffee like a fascinating new continent. Don’t add only one spice to a cup. You can experiment with spices and sweeteners to your heart’s delight. Here are some of our favorite flavor starter kits you can use to start your flavor experiments at home.
If your coffee of choice is aromatic and spiced, this is the combo for you. It’s bold and fragrant, providing a sweetly comforting taste. All you need is:
If you want to truly indulge in the decadence that mushroom coffee can be, this is a delightful combo. All you need are:
The earthy tones of these mushrooms are perfect for a thicker texture and bolder taste. This is like a mocha for wellness enthusiasts who are in an indulgent mood.
If you like a bright, zesty drink for summer, this combo is perfect. It’s refreshing and crisp, providing a wonderful energy boost right when you need it. If you want, you can pop in plenty of ice cubes to drink it iced after brewing.
Mushroom coffee has proven to be not just a trend. It’s an experience that’s filled with possibilities, just like regular coffee. It’s naturally complex and earthy. Knowing the flavor and texture result you want lets you find the perfect pairing.
Our top flavor pairings:
Experiment to your heart’s content. If the cup of mushroom coffee doesn’t taste good, you can always make a new brew. Personalize your brew until it makes you sigh in appreciation. You can also heat or ice mushroom coffee so the temperature is ideal.
Explore the best mushroom coffee to elevate your experience today.
Ru Chen
Content Writer
Ru Chen is a content writer with several years of experience in creating engaging and well-researched articles. She mostly writes about coffee, business, digital marketing, and law. In her free time, she can be found watching horror movies and playing board games with her partner in Brooklyn.
Ru Chen is a content writer with several years of experience in creating engaging and well-researched articles. She mostly writes about coffee, business, digital marketing, and law. In her free time, she can be found watching horror movies and playing board games with her partner in Brooklyn.
