Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee Review: What Does It Taste Like and Is It Good for You?
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Most people love to kickstart their day with a cup of coffee. A traditional cup of joe typically provides a jolt of energy and may even help you feel more focused and alert. But what about non-traditional coffee? It may sound strange, but what if you could get the same results from a cup of coffee that has extracts derived from mushrooms in it? That’s what Four Sigmatic set out to do with their mushroom coffee that’s designed to taste just like premium coffee while providing the added wellness benefits of adaptogenic herbs and functional mushrooms.
Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee was created to give your brain and body even more of a boost than you would get with traditional coffee without spoiling the smooth, familiar flavor and aroma that coffee lovers have grown to expect and enjoy about regular coffee.
In our review of Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee, we go over several products made by the company, along with information about the benefits of functional mushrooms, what mushroom coffee tastes like and potential side effects. If you’re curious about adaptogenic mushroom coffee, read on for our in-depth review of what you can expect from Four Sigmatic.
This content is meant to be informative, but should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention or treatment of health problems. Always speak with your doctor before starting any new supplement or exercise regimen.
The Best Blends of Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee:
- Think Ground Coffee with Lion’s Mane & Chaga Mushrooms
- Perform Coffee with L-Theanine & Cordyceps Mushrooms
- Balance Coffee with Ashwagandha & Eleuthero Adaptogens
- Ground Mushroom Coffee with Probiotics
- Immune Support Coffee with Vitamin D & Chaga Mushrooms
- Chill Decaf Coffee with Reishi & Chaga Mushrooms
Think Ground Coffee with Lion’s Mane & Chaga Mushrooms
Four Sigmatic
Key info
- Main ingredients: Organic and fair-trade ground coffee (dark roast), organic lion’s mane mushroom extract (250 milligrams) and organic chaga mushroom extract (250 milligrams)
- Certifications: Organic, fair-trade certified, single-origin, third-party lab tested, vegan, keto and gluten-free
- Caffeine content: 150 milligrams per 12-ounce cup
- Servings per container: 16
- Price: $20 for 16 servings, or $16 with a subscription
The Four Sigmatic Think Ground Coffee with Lion’s Mane and Chaga Mushrooms is one of the brand’s top-selling products and a great choice for people who are accustomed to drinking regular coffee, but want to amp up the health benefits of their morning brew. The Think Ground Coffee with Lion’s Mane & Chaga Mushrooms brews smooth and dark for mental focus and the caffeinated punch you’re accustomed to with a cup of standard coffee. It was designed to improve mental focus and energy with the addition of a special blend of log-grown, grain-free lion’s mane fruiting body extract.
The dark roast coffee beans are fair trade Arabica coffee beans from a family-run farm in Honduras that feature hints of dark chocolate and nuts. There are about 150 milligrams of caffeine per 12-ounce cup of this coffee, and the blend contains 250 milligrams of organic Lion’s Mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) per serving, which the brand says promotes mental focus and clarity.
There are also 250 milligrams of organic chaga mushroom extract (Inonotus obliquus) per serving. This functional mushroom has been used for centuries to support the immune system and is extracted from sustainable birch trees. According to some sources, it was even used as a substitute for coffee during World War II when coffee wasn’t available. Like regular coffee, Think Ground Coffee can be brewed in a traditional drip coffee maker, French Press or pour over.
Pros:
- Customer reviews express a love for the taste
- Ground coffee format is easy to prepare
- Blend of mushrooms is said to boost focus and mental energy
Cons:
- May not be ideal for those who don't like the flavor of a darker roast
Perform Coffee with L-Theanine & Cordyceps Mushrooms
Four Sigmatic
Key info
- Main ingredients: Organic and fair-trade ground coffee (dark roast), organic cordyceps mushroom extract, L-theanine and organic coffee extract
- Certifications: Organic, fair-trade certified, single-origin, third-party lab tested, vegan, keto and gluten-free
- Caffeine content: 190 milligrams per 12-ounce cup
- Servings per container: 16
- Price: $20 for 16 servings, or $16 with a subscription
The Four Sigmatic Perform Coffee with L-Theanine & Cordyceps Mushrooms is designed for coffee drinkers looking for a potent boost of energy for optimal performance and sustained energy levels. This blend infuses organic coffee beans from a small family run co-op in Honduras with three powerful functional ingredients to amplify your brew. Perform Coffee with L-Theanine & Cordyceps Mushrooms has 500 milligrams of vegan, grain-free organic cordyceps mushroom extract (Cordyceps militaris), which is said to help support your body’s natural production of energy. This particular functional mushroom is popular in supplements for runners and other endurance athletes due to its ability to support energy, stamina and endurance.
L-Theanine is added to help counteract the jitters that can accompany excessive caffeine intake because this amino acid has been shown to help balance out the caffeine surge and provide a calming effect to the brain. L-Theanine is found with caffeine in nature, such as in the green tea extract used to make the Four Sigmatic Perform Coffee blend. Lastly, to amplify the caffeine dosage in this mushroom coffee, coffee bean extract is added, bringing the total caffeine content to 190 milligrams of caffeine per 12-ounce serving, which is on par with a dark roast cup of coffee from Starbucks of the same size.
For coffee lovers who rely on that powerful punch of caffeine in the morning and want to swap out Starbucks coffee for an amplified brew containing functional ingredients, this is one of the best Four Sigmatic mushroom coffees to start with given the fact that the caffeine content is so similar and the organic, fair trade, single origin Arabica coffee beans feature that same dark, nutty and slightly chocolatey taste of a rich dark roast coffee. You can use this ground coffee in a traditional drip coffee maker, French press, pour over or even cold brew, making it a versatile and easy-to-use blend.
Pros:
- Gives you a jolt of energy while taming the side effects of too much caffeine
- Ground coffee format is easy to prepare
- Higher caffeine content is on par with a cup of Starbucks coffee
Cons:
- Caffeine content may be too much for some people
Balance Coffee with Ashwagandha & Eleuthero Adaptogens
Four Sigmatic
Key info
- Main ingredients: Organic and fair-trade ground coffee (medium roast), organic ashwagandha, organic eleuthero, organic tulsi (basil) and organic chaga mushroom extract
- Certifications: Organic, fair-trade certified, single-origin, third-party lab tested, vegan, keto and gluten-free
- Caffeine content: 75 milligrams per 12-ounce cup
- Servings per container: 16
- Price: $20 for 16 servings, or $16 with a subscription
The Four Sigmatic Balance Coffee with Ashwagandha & Eleuthero Adaptogens is formulated with specific adaptogens to help your body manage stress. Although this is still a caffeinated coffee, the blend uses what is described as premium organic “half caf” coffee for a less potent jolt of energy while still giving you a boost. Half caf refers to a 50/50 blend of regular organic coffee from a sustainable Honduran producer and organic decaffeinated coffee from a sustainable Peruvian producer, resulting in a cup of coffee that has about half the caffeine as Four Sigmatic Think Ground Coffee (about 75 milligrams per 12-ounce cup rather than 150 milligrams).
The addition of the adaptogens ashwagandha, eleuthero extract, tulsi extract and chaga mushroom extract is intended to provide the perfect balance between energizing your body and mind and simultaneously helping your body reduce stress and feel more relaxed, rather than jittery, tense and geared up. Specifically, this blend contains 300 milligrams of organic ashwagandha extract, an adaptogenic herb used to reduce stress and fatigue. The organic eleuthero extract is an adaptogenic root used to support stamina, endurance and overall wellbeing. Organic Tulsi extract, known as "holy basil," is a well-known adaptogen used in Ayurvedic medicine to boost mood, support digestion and promote balanced energy levels.
Lastly, there are 150 milligrams of organic chaga extract (Inonotus obliquus) used to support the immune system and brain function. Compared to the Four Sigmatic Think Ground Coffee and Power Coffee, which are dark roast brews, the Balance Coffee with Ashwagandha & Eleuthero Adaptogens is a medium roast brew with notes of caramel and nuts.
Pros:
- Lower caffeine is good for those who are sensitive to caffeine
- Ground coffee format is easy to prepare
- Blend of mushrooms intended to reduce stress
Cons:
- May not be ideal for those who like heavy, dark blends
Ground Mushroom Coffee with Probiotics
Four Sigmatic
Key info
- Main ingredients: Organic and fair-trade ground coffee (medium roast), organic Chaga mushroom extract (300 milligrams), organic turkey tail mushroom extract (200 milligrams), yacon juice powder and probiotic Bacillus subtilis (1 billion CFUs per serving)
- Certifications: Organic, fair-trade certified, single-origin, third-party lab tested, vegan, keto and gluten-free
- Caffeine content: 150 milligrams per 12-ounce cup
- Servings per container: 16
- Price: $20 for 16 servings, or $16 with a subscription
The Four Sigmatic Ground Mushroom Coffee with Probiotics is a medium roast that's described by the company as smooth and full-bodied without a bitter aftertaste. The functional mushrooms, adaptogens and probiotics included in this blend are designed to help support your immune function and digestive health.
It's a caffeinated coffee blend (150 milligrams of caffeine per 12-ounce cup of coffee) made from organic, fair-trade coffee beans sustainably grown in Guatemala.
This blend includes 300 milligrams of organic chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) for immune support and 200 milligrams of organic turkey tail mushroom (Trametes versicolor), which is thought to support your immune system and gut health. Organic yacon juice powder comes from a tuber ground in the Peruvian Andes, and provides prebiotics to feed the probiotics and healthy bacteria in your gut microbiome. Unique to this Four Sigmatic functional coffee, this coffee offers one billion CFUs (colony forming units) per serving of the probiotic Bacillus subtilis—a hearty probiotic strain that can survive boiling in coffee. This probiotic can support healthy digestion, gut health and immunity.
Pros:
- Supports gut health, and the particular strains used in this blend can survive coffee preparation methods
- Easy way to get probiotics without taking a standalone probiotic supplement
- Also includes natural prebiotics to feed the gut bacteria
- Customer reviews express a love for the taste
Cons:
- May initially cause diarrhea
- Should not be reheated in the microwave
Immune Support Coffee with Vitamin D & Chaga Mushrooms
Four Sigmatic
Key info
- Main ingredients: Organic and Fair-Trade ground coffee (medium roast), organic chaga mushroom extract, organic turkey tail mushroom extract, zinc and vitamin D
- Certifications: Organic, fair-trade certified, single-origin, third-party lab tested, vegan, keto and gluten-free
- Caffeine content: 150 milligrams per 12-ounce cup
- Servings per container: 16
- Price: $20 for 16 servings, or $16 with a subscription
The Four Sigmatic Immune Support Coffee with Vitamin D & Chaga Mushrooms is one of the best mushroom coffees for times when you’re feeling a little sniffly, or even as your daily brew to help keep your immune system robust.
Described as a “daily bodyguard,” the Immune Support Coffee with Vitamin D & Chaga Mushrooms pairs premium organic coffee beans with four immune-supporting ingredients—vitamin D, zinc, turkey tail and chaga mushrooms. It's a medium roast coffee, said to have notes of caramel and chocolate. Each serving provides 140 percent of your daily value of vitamin D and 100 percent of your daily value of zinc, two key micronutrients to support your immune system.
As a caffeinated mushroom coffee, you'll also get 150 milligrams of caffeine per 12-ounce cup for a good boost of energy and focus. There are also 250 milligrams of the functional mushroom chaga (Inonotus obliquus), used for its immune system supporting properties, and 250 milligrams of organic turkey tail (Trametes versicolor), a medicinal mushroom thought to support gut health and the immune system.
Pros:
- May provide a boost to your immune system
- Ground coffee format is easy to prepare
- Has 100 percent of your daily value of zinc and 140 percent of the daily value of vitamin D
Cons:
- Pricey per serving
Chill Decaf Coffee with Reishi & Chaga Mushrooms
Four Sigmatic
Key info
- Main ingredients: Organic and fair-trade decaffeinated ground coffee (medium roast), organic reishi mushroom extract and organic chaga mushroom extract
- Certifications: Organic, fair-trade certified, single-origin, third-party lab tested, vegan, caffeine free, keto and gluten-free
- Caffeine content: Zero milligrams
- Servings per container: 16
- Price: $20 for 16 servings, or $16 with a subscription
The Four Sigmatic Chill Decaf Coffee with Reishi & Chaga Mushrooms gives you all of the taste and flavor of caffeinated coffee, plus the health benefits of functional mushrooms without the jolt of caffeine, making this the best Four Sigmatic mushroom coffee for those who are sensitive to caffeine or who want to enjoy a cup of coffee later on in the day without disrupting their sleep schedule.
The fair-trade coffee beans are sourced from a cooperative of small farms in Peru and then put through the Swiss Water Process—an organic, chemical-free process that results in decaf coffee. To help you unwind and decrease stress, there are 300 milligrams of organic reishi mushroom extract (Ganoderma lucidum) per serving. For a bit of immune support and mental boost, there are 200 milligrams of organic chaga mushroom extract (Inonotus obliquus), as well.
Pros:
- Customers love the taste
- Ground coffee format is easy to prepare
- Decaffeinated for those who want to enjoy caffeine in the evening
- Functional mushroom may help you relax and unwind
Cons:
- No caffeine
What Is Four Sigmatic?
Four Sigmatic offers a full line of caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee blends that incorporate medicinal mushrooms, adaptogens and functional mushrooms intended to elevate the health benefits of your cup of coffee. Based in Finland, Four Sigmatic not only has overwhelmingly positive customer reviews for their various functional mushroom coffees, but also is a trusted brand due to the science, research and certifications that back each product. Each product description fully explains what's in the coffee, where the individual beans are grown, the exact dosage, the types of adaptogenic mushrooms or other herbs added to the coffee and the purpose they serve.
Evidence-based research is provided where applicable, and there is an in-house registered herbalist that contributes blog posts for additional educational purposes. Four Sigmatic even offers informational video courses called the “Mushroom Academy” to learn more about what goes into the coffee and the benefits and types of different functional mushrooms.
The name “Four Sigmatic” is derived from the fact that Four Sigmatic foods are the 100 most nutrient-dense superfoods on the planet, such as cacao, coffee, reishi, cordyceps and ashwagandha, which are said to be four sigmas (or four standard deviations) above average in terms of the nutrient content of the food. The company makes premium ground mushroom coffee, instant coffee, elixirs, lattes, protein powders and other products with superfoods designed to promote wellness.
How Does Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee Taste?
Perhaps the biggest hangup that people have about trying Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee is the potential of the coffee's taste being spoiled by the inclusion of mushrooms. According to Four Sigmatic, all of the coffee blends taste exactly like premium coffee without any sort of hint of mushrooms. This is corroborated by customer reviews both on Four Sigmatic’s website and independent websites that note there is no detectable mushroom flavor or notes of mushrooms in the Four Sigmatic coffees.
However, there are a few customer reviews that note that there’s a bit of an earthy taste to some of the dark roast blends, but not much different than a typical strong coffee. The product description for each type of mushroom coffee also describes the flavor profile of the specific blend, such as whether it has notes of chocolate, nuts or caramel and whether it's smooth and dark or light and vibrant. Like a regular cup of coffee, you can also add any type of sweetener, milk, plant-based milk, MCT oil or creamer to Four Sigmatic’s coffees to prepare your cup the way that you like it most.
How to Prepare Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee
Four Sigmatic coffee can be prepared like any regular coffee. Ground coffee varieties can be made in a traditional drip coffee machine, French press, pour over or cold brew. Some can even be made as espresso, but you may need to grind the grounds extra fine. For hot coffee, the recommendation is to add four tablespoons of coffee to 12 ounces of hot water. You can also choose from Four Sigmatic’s instant coffee offerings, which just require adding hot water, or their coffee pods, which can be used like K-Cups in a Keurig or single-cup coffee maker.
Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee Quality
The Four Sigmatic coffees are all certified organic, fair trade, non-GMO, single-origin and vegan. The coffees are also lab-tested to ensure that they don't contain molds or toxins. The coffee beans and ingredients are all high quality, and the Four Sigmatic products have amassed over 20,000 five-star ratings on the company website, with thousands of five-star ratings for the organic coffee blends on Amazon, as well. Plus, the company offers a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee or your money back.
Benefits of Drinking Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee
Four Sigmatic reports that there are many health benefits of drinking mushroom coffee with lion’s mane, reishi and other functional mushrooms, above and beyond the benefits of drinking regular coffee. The specific mushroom blends found in the Four Sigmatic products are each designed to provide specific wellness benefits, such as improving focus, increasing stamina, reducing stress and supporting the immune system. Four Sigmatic’s Mushroom Academy offers more information about why adding these superfoods to coffee is worth it.
Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee Side Effects
According to the Cleveland Clinic, mushroom coffee is typically considered safe, but it may cause digestive issues. Although Four Sigmatic is actually a good coffee alternative for those who are really sensitive to caffeine because there's less caffeine per cup (and some decaffeinated and low-caffeine options), there can be side effects to consuming too much caffeine, including nervousness, jitteriness, anxiety, increased blood pressure, heart palpitations, difficulty sleeping and irritability.
Who Should Drink Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee
Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee can be a great choice for people who enjoy the benefits of drinking a regular cup of coffee and want additional benefits from unique superfoods, adaptogens, antioxidants, medicinal mushrooms and nutrients.
Who Should Not Drink Mushroom Coffee
According to the Cleveland Clinic, mushroom coffee is not recommended for people with kidney issues or who are prone to kidney stones, as chaga mushrooms are high in oxalates, which may increase the risk of developing kidney stones. Four Sigmatic also recommends that anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding should speak to a doctor before trying their products. The Four Sigmatic coffees are also not certified Kosher. Finally, if you are sensitive to caffeine, make sure to choose a decaffeinated mushroom coffee so you don’t interrupt your sleep schedule or have to manage the negative effects of consuming caffeine if you’re not used to it.
Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee FAQs
Does mushroom coffee raise your blood pressure?
Caffeine has the potential to raise your blood pressure, so any of the Four Sigmatic products with caffeine can potentially increase your blood pressure.
Is mushroom coffee anti-inflammatory?
Mushroom coffee is high in antioxidants and may help reduce inflammation. For example, chaga extract has been shown to confer anti-inflammatory properties.
Does Four Sigmatic mushroom coffee have caffeine?
The caffeine content in Four Sigmatic coffee depends on the product. The instant mushroom coffees all contain 50 milligrams of caffeine per serving. The ground mushroom coffees provide a full serving of caffeine, with the specific amount varying depending on how you brew the coffee, but ranging from about 120–150 milligrams per 12-ounce cup. The exceptions include the Balance Coffee with Ashwagandha & Eleuthero, which has about 75 milligrams of caffeine per serving, and the Perform Coffee With L-Theanine & Cordyceps, which has about 190 milligrams of caffeine. There are also decaffeinated coffees and decaffeinated functional mushroom products.
Is Four Sigmatic coffee mold-free?
Four Sigmatic reports that all ingredients and final batches of the products are tested in third-party labs for heavy metals, microbial quality, aflatoxins, mycotoxins, mold, yeast and pesticides. This rigorous testing process helps ensure that you are getting a safe, high-quality coffee that does not contain molds or toxins.
Final Thoughts
Four Sigmatic offers premium organic coffee infused with medicinal mushrooms, adaptogens, nootropics, functional herbs and different micronutrients to promote various aspects of your health. By sourcing high-quality ingredients, using third-party testing and being transparent and educational in the type of functional ingredients added to each coffee and why, Four Sigmatic coffee seems to be a trustworthy brand manufacturing safe, effective mushroom coffee. The coffee can be seamlessly incorporated into your daily routine as a substitute for regular coffee to give your body the health-promoting effects of functional mushrooms without compromising the taste of your coffee.
Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.
