Until recently, I never would’ve dreamed of putting mushrooms anywhere near my coffee or hot chocolate, but now I’m putting them in my morning lattes, smoothies, evening hot chocolate, and beyond! Let me show you how easy it is to make 2 delicious mushroom “lattes” at home in just 5 minutes. My fascination with mushroom powders began after listening to this Rich Roll podcast episode with Tero Isokauppila, the founder of Four Sigmatic — a company that’s seeking to educate people on the benefits of medicinal mushrooms and make them accessible to consumers. I had no idea mushrooms could be so good for you. From the simple act of eating sautéed mushrooms to adding lion’s mane mushroom to your morning coffee, the health benefits are kind of amazing. I’m certainly no expert, but from what I’ve gathered the best and most accessible mushroom to eat is shiitake (be sure to eat them cooked in a little fat to increase bioavailability). As far as mushroom powders go, I recommend reaching for chaga (for antioxidants, overall wellness, and immunity), reishi (for calm, relaxation, and sleep), lion’s mane (for brain function and focus), and cordyceps (for performance, adaptogenic effects, and increased oxygen flow).
So why mushrooms in coffee? Adding things like mushroom powders to coffee can offset some of the downsides of coffee, including jitters, acidity, and disrupted digestion. When adding mushrooms to things like hot chocolate, you’re simply reaping the benefits of the various kinds of mushrooms on top of the antioxidants in cacao. And the cool thing is you really can’t taste the mushrooms! Their earthiness pairs nicely with both coffee and chocolate flavors. It’s kind of a win-win. Now, that’s not to say drinking super-sugary lattes or pots of coffee in the morning with a side of mushroom powder makes the health downsides go away. But, there is a lot of evidence to suggest that adding more mushrooms to our diet can be beneficial. With that said, I’ve been playing around with two mushroom blends from Four Sigmatic (not sponsored — just love their stuff!) and have really enjoyed them so far. I can’t say I’ve noticed dramatic effects, but I like knowing that if I am going to have caffeine, the effects won’t be quite as harsh. And if I’m having hot chocolate anyway, might as well enjoy some health benefits while I’m at it. I hope you LOVE these two mushroom drinks! They’re: CreamyPerfectly sweetComfortingCustomizable& Seriously delicious These lattes would make the perfect morning pick-me-up with health perks (especially the coffee version) or evening wind down or afternoon treat (especially the hot chocolate). If you’re into cozy drinks, also be sure to check out our 3-Ingredient Healing Turmeric Tonic, Feel Good Hot Chocolate, 5-Minute Vegan Golden Milk, Best Vegan Matcha Latte, and our fan favorite 5-Minute Caffeine-Free Chai Mix! If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
