A new trend has emerged — mushroom coffee. It’s coffee made with added mushroom coffee product that some claim offer a range of health benefits, including stress relief and increased energy levels. While the drink sounds odd, it’s actually very similar to regular coffee and often tastes slightly nuttier or earthier. The mushrooms used are typically medicinal mushrooms, such as chaga, lion’s mane and cordyceps, which are also often found in dietary supplements because of their purported health benefits.

Where to Buy Mushroom Coffee: Your Ultimate Guide

Some mushroom coffee products boast a lower caffeine content than traditional coffee, which may help people who struggle with the side effects of caffeine, such as jitters and a difficulty falling asleep at night. However, most of the mushrooms that are used in these brews have not been researched for their ability to affect human health. And the mushrooms in these drinks are typically dried and extracted, which means that they may not contain the same amount of beneficial compounds as whole, raw mushrooms.

In addition, some of the ingredients in mushroom coffee — like chaga mushrooms — are high in oxalates, which can be harmful to those with kidney or digestive problems. Those with chronic illness or who are taking medications should talk to their doctors before adding mushroom coffee to their diet.

In terms of choosing the best mushroom coffee products, Olszewski recommends Laird Superfood’s version, which is organic, shade-grown and contains a blend of functional mushrooms, such as lion’s mane, chaga, tremella and turkey tail. It’s also free of sugar and gluten-free, vegan, halal and has third-party verification for quality.