5-MINUTE MUSHROOM LATTE

If you’re like me, you’re just getting your feet wet in the world of medicinal and adaptogenic mushrooms.

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.

Overhead image of blue tray holding ingredients for mushroom hot cacao latte including mushroom powder, maple syrup, cinnamon, and coconut milk

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).

Overhead image of white bowl on a pink towel and a hand stirring cacao powder

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.

Overhead image of hot cacao mushroom latte being topped with steamed milk, with mushrooms and cinnamon sticks in the top right corner

I hope you LOVE these two mushroom drinks! They’re:

Creamy
Perfectly sweet
Comforting
Customizable
& 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!

Straight on image of mushroom cacao hot latte on a cutting board with a blue towel, mushrooms in the background, and blue spoon of cacao powder in front

Ingredients

US Customary – Metric

MUSHROOM HOT CACAO LATTE

1 tsp mushroom powder (we love Four Sigmatic Superfood Blends Reishi Spores or 10 Mushroom Blend*)
1 tsp maple syrup (or other sweetener of choice, plus more to taste)
1 tsp almond butter (optional // or other nut / seed butter)
2 Tbsp cacao powder (or unsweetened cocoa powder)
1 pinch ground cinnamon
1 pinch sea salt
1 cup dairy-free milk (such as cashew, coconut, or almond milk)

MUSHROOM COFFEE LATTE

1 tsp mushroom powder (we love Four Sigmatic Superfood Blends Reishi Spores or 10 Mushroom Blend*)
1 tsp maple syrup (plus more to taste)
1 tsp cacao powder (optional)
1 pinch ground cinnamon
1 pinch sea salt
1 cup dairy-free milk (such as cashew, coconut, or almond milk)
1 shot espresso, or 1/3 cup strong brewed coffee

Instructions

For the hot chocolate:

Add mushroom powder, maple syrup, almond butter (optional), cacao powder, cinnamon, and sea salt to a small blender (we like the NutriBullet).
Steam or heat dairy-free milk until hot and add to the blender. Blend on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until frothy and well blended.
Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding cinnamon for warmth / spice, more sweetener to taste, or more cacao for rich chocolate flavor.
Serve as is, or top with coconut whipped cream, cinnamon, and/or cacao powder. Best when fresh. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until hot.

For the coffee:

Add mushroom powder, maple syrup, cacao powder (optional), cinnamon, and sea salt to a small blender (we like the NutriBullet).
Steam or heat dairy-free milk until hot and add to the blender along with the espresso or coffee. Blend on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until frothy and well-blended.
Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding cinnamon for warmth / spice, more sweetener to taste, or more coffee or espresso for a stronger coffee flavor.
Serve as is, or top with coconut whipped cream or cinnamon. Best when fresh. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until hot.

Notes

*The Four Sigmatic blends we love are the Reishi blend and the Superfood 10 Mushroom Blend. In our experience, the Reishi blend is better for evening time or when you’re wanting a calming effect while the 10 Mushroom Blend is more suitable for daytime as it provides a boost of energy.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate for 1 of the hot cacao lattes. The mushroom coffee will be similar in nutrition but will vary based on the ingredients you add.