Adding dehydrated mushrooms to all my soups, stews, and chilis has added a new dimension to our warmth-giving winter dishes.
Not only do I find the toothy chew of these dried mushrooms delightful, but there is that undeniable “something” they impart with their flavor factor, aka umami. It is like the fifth flavor after: sweet, sour, bitter, and salty – followed by that savory, yet unidentifiable umami wonderfulness.
ADAPTOGENS:
For several years there’s been a whole thing about mushroom coffee: brews enhanced with adaptogens from certain mushrooms.
Adaptogens are herbs, roots, and other plant substances such as mushrooms that help our bodies manage stress and restore balance. Learn more here.
Some of us think we need that caffeine boost in the morning to sharpen focus and to be our most alert selves, but often find a feeling of being “wired” plaguing us. Yet, there we are, reaching for another cup.
Mushroom coffee mixes are a combination of ground coffee beans and ground mushrooms that are reputed to help us with their adaptogenic effects, including these mushrooms:
Lion’s mane
Chaga
Reishi
Cordyceps
Turkey tail
Therefore, by definition, there is less coffee and caffeine per cup – but always read the labels for the caffeine content.
Each different kind of adaptogenic/medicinal/functional mushroom boasts qualities that help various health concerns HERE. But in general, these ancient Chinese sources of healing are anti-inflammatory, decrease our stress response, and are beneficial to healing, natural immunity, and proper functioning of every body system.
Users report less of a desire to have a second cup of their reduced caffeine brew because they are totally satisfied with how they are feeling – there’s no need for more and there are no nervous jitters – only mental clarity and a certain calm. HERE.
We are reminded by experts to always check with health professionals for recommendations on ingesting any kind of supplement. Medicinal mushroom powders are considered to be supplements and their content is not strictly controlled by the FDA.
If kidney stones or digestive troubles are possible for you, UCLAhealth.org advises:
“In addition, certain types of mushrooms often used in mushroom coffee (notably, the chaga variety) contain high levels of compounds called oxalates. A diet that contains too many oxalates puts you at risk for developing kidney stones.”
Today, I did not use expensive mushroom coffee powder. Rather, I grabbed a dehydrated shiitake mushroom cap and used the microplane grater to reduce it to a powder.
After frothing a splash of half and half along with a few drops of vanilla, 1 teaspoon of mushroom powder, and maybe a 1/2 teaspoon of turbinado sugar, I poured my freshly brewed coffee on top and stirred.
The results were yummy. There was a just bit of mushroom powder sludge at the bottom of the cup because I had not used a food processor, but then, I only had a microplane to wash – that’s a win, any day.
We’ll see how I like doing this. I may convert to a more traditional selection of healing mushroom varieties to add to my own brew. I would love to know if you are using mushroom powders, especially in your coffee – please make sure to comment below.
The relaunch of the latest updated version of Toolkit for Caregivers is moving to the formatting and production stage, and the work that Sheree is doing on some of the supplementary materials we will be offering readers is so beautiful!
I can’t wait to show you the covers for the audio download and complementary materials that will provide caregivers with additional strategies for their own wellbeing. Soon. Very soon!
If we ever needed a boost in mental clarity and destressing, that would be now and in the coming months.
In health –
Deidre