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.

Ah, coffee—a morning ritual for many, myself included. It’s the quintessential millennial cliché: a deep affection for that steaming cup that kick-starts the day. Yet, as much as I adore this rich, dark elixir that fuels my 32-year-old brain, there’s a downside. This beloved caffeine boost sometimes plays havoc with another essential part of life—sleep.

We’ve all heard it: too much coffee can lead to restless nights. But cut back too severely, and I find myself struggling to keep up with the relentless stream of emails and queries that define daily life. In my quest for balance, I discovered an intriguing alternative: mushroom coffee, specifically from MOGU.

MOGU’s mushroom coffee is a fascinating blend that combines Arabica beans with three types of mushrooms—Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, and Chaga. Each brings its own unique benefits, from enhancing mental clarity and strengthening the immune system to providing a steady stream of clean energy.

Of course, the true test is in the taste. As I brewed my first cup, I took a moment to inhale the aroma. Instead of the familiar nutty scent, my senses were greeted by an earthy fragrance, courtesy of the mushrooms.

This unexpected aroma may catch you off guard at first, especially if you’re used to the traditional coffee scent. However, the nose is a powerful guide, and from that initial whiff, you know you’re in for something unique.

Tasting the coffee, I found the mushroom element wasn’t overpowering. Many who shy away from mushrooms do so because of their texture, which isn’t an issue here. The real magic of MOGU coffee lies in how it harmonizes the earthy notes of both mushrooms and coffee, creating a surprisingly pleasant blend, as noted by the Mirror.

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.

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.