The Greatest Mushroom Espresso, WIRED Examined and Reviewed (2025)

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 unhealthy for you stays unsettled. One may consider the shortage of consensus is a Mainstream Media™ psyop to maintain individuals scrambling for marketable options to an issue that’s fully made up, however the cottage trade of espresso alternate options that’s proliferated by this infinite tug of battle is an fascinating end result no matter which facet you’re on. That is the place mushroom espresso makes its inevitable entrance.

Some fast googling revealed 10 recognized gamers within the sport, all of which provide their very own riff on a standard 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 every week with every, together with our high choose, Atlas Espresso Membership’s Latte Superblend ($19), swapping out my morning espresso for every model’s beneficial dose of powder and sizzling water. After day 5 I allowed myself to experiment with sweeteners and milks, which you’ll want with nearly all of those to get by way of your complete 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 until they have been absolutely indoctrinated within the heady way of life this distinctive alt-beverage trade revolves round. I laughed, I cried, I acquired 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 remember to take a look at our guides to the Greatest Espresso Subscriptions, Greatest Power Drinks, Greatest Espresso Makers, and Greatest Electrical Kettles.