RYZE Mushroom Coffee Review

It's no secret that many of us rely heavily on coffee to get through the day. According to the National Coffee Association, coffee consumption hit a two-decade high in 2022, with a hefty 66% of Americans over 18 reporting drinking a coffee in the past day. Coffee is a way of life, but that doesn't mean we've become immune to its undesirable side effects: the afternoon crashes, jitters, upset stomach, and withdrawal headaches. Whether you're sensitive to caffeine, looking to cut back, or have medical reasons for limiting caffeine, companies like RYZE offer an option for those who want to reduce their caffeine intake but aren't quite ready to part ways with their morning brew.

RYZE Mushroom Coffee offers a proprietary blend of six potent mushrooms to replace your typical morning coffee, advertising half the caffeine but all the energy and more. Not sure if it’s for you? We evaluated RYZE to provide you with all the details about this instant alternative, so you can determine if it’s the right choice for you.

RYZE mushroom coffee works if you want a healthy morning beverage with less caffeine than plain coffee, but the health benefits are likely to be less dramatic than advertised. RYZE claims its 2g of whole mushrooms per serving will boost your brain health, immunity, and gut health. The mushrooms in this blend are rich in nutrients, but the benefits promised by RYZE aren't fully established. Further, RYZE's relatively high mushroom quantities are still lower than those used in clinical studies showing potential health benefits. The lack of transparency about dosage per type of mushroom makes it even more challenging to determine how these ingredients could impact (or ultimately benefit) consumer health. Meanwhile, more affordable coffee alternatives — like black and green teas or even other mushroom coffee brands (such as MUD/WTR or Rasa) — can also potentially provide health benefits with a caffeine boost.

Over the past two decades, Innerbody Research has helped tens of millions of readers make more informed decisions about staying healthy and living wholesome lifestyles. We evaluate the products and services we review based on current health standards and medical research, continuously assessing our information to ensure it’s always up-to-date.

In writing this article, we’ve read over 100 research studies to provide the most accurate information about each ingredient in RYZE mushroom coffee. We have also surveyed the vast landscape of mushroom coffee competitors, comparing and contrasting details of over 50 products from several mushroom coffee brands to bring you an unbiased review. We communicated with RYZE’s customer service to gauge their helpfulness and to learn critical details about this product that you can’t find elsewhere on the Internet.

Additionally, like all health-related content on this website, this review was thoroughly vetted by one or more members of our Medical Review Board for accuracy.

We evaluated RYZE based on the safety, cost, efficacy, and taste of coffee alternatives. We also looked at the nutritional value and sustainability of its ingredients, as well as how easy the product is to prepare. We thoroughly researched the competitive landscape to show you how RYZE measures up.

For the average consumer, the mushrooms used in RYZE are likely safe in the quantities used to make the product. Still, there is limited information on the safety of mushroom supplementation at different dosages, so getting your doctor’s opinion based on your specific medical history is always best, especially if you’re taking medications or are pregnant. RYZE does state in the FAQ that the product is safe for those pregnant or breastfeeding, but recommends asking your doctor first.

We were disappointed at the lack of transparency regarding individual mushroom dosage, though we have found this to be a common occurrence across most competitors (except MUD/WTR, which lists that there are exactly 562mg of each mushroom per serving). RYZE’s mushroom content overall, 2g, is greater than that of many of its alternatives using whole mushroom powder. But, while the overall mushroom content is a positive attribute, it’s likely not enough to bring about the positive effects the RYZE team claims on its website.

Some consumers in the market for mushroom coffee may prefer it to be made with mushroom extract, as it often contains higher quantities of specific bioactive compounds like beta-glucans and triterpenes (some researchers believe these have anticancer, antibacterial, and antiviral properties).23 As a whole-mushroom powder, RYZE still contains the same compounds — including others that can get lost in the extraction process — but likely in lower concentrations. Ultimately, this difference is something to keep in mind before deciding to purchase a whole-mushroom product like RYZE or a product containing an extract.

The taste and smoothness of the beverage are two of RYZE’s strengths, with many consumers finding it a pleasant addition to their morning ritual. The company’s eco-friendly philosophy, including the sustainable growth of its organic mushrooms, is another positive. And though we can’t say for sure due to a lack of detailed information, RYZE is very likely nutritious because of its mushroom content; among other nutrients, mushrooms are rich in B vitamins.

RYZE Mushroom Coffee is worth a try if your budget allows it and you want a healthful beverage without expecting dramatic benefits. You might love it and want to continue consuming it, as many customers have, but it’s also possible you may feel it fails to deliver for the cost. If you’re curious for more details, we’ve laid out our full assessment below so you can decide if RYZE is right for you.

Safety

The safety of some of the mushrooms found in RYZE is not yet fully understood. It's recommended you speak with your doctor before trying RYZE or any new supplements, especially if you have a preexisting condition, take medication, are lactating, are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. While RYZE claims on its FAQ page that the mushroom coffee is “perfectly safe to consume” during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, there’s very little research about the possible effects of these specific mushrooms on pregnancy.

Some fungi naturally produce mycotoxins, and their effects can range from gastrointestinal distress to severe health complications, including neurotoxicity. Researchers also state that mushrooms can "accumulate high concentrations of toxic metallic elements" depending on factors like the fungi species and growing environment. (In fact, mushrooms are even used to decontaminate polluted land.)

Before delving into the specific mushrooms in the blend and their potential health concerns, it's important to discuss RYZE's testing claims. While the company claims to test for mycotoxins and heavy metals, the wording of their statement is a bit confusing to us:

"... our organic mushrooms are sustainably grown in California. The other ingredients are sourced from the best suppliers in the country, being thoroughly tested for mycotoxins and heavy metals."

Does this mean their mushrooms aren't tested, but other ingredients are? Or is this a simple miswording? We reached out to RYZE customer service about this and received an email from one of the company founders a few days later. They answered our question with, “Yes, we 3rd party lab test each batch of our product for mycotoxins, molds, and heavy metals.” Lab results were attached but only showed Microbiological test results (such as for Salmonella or E. coli).

Heavy metal and mycotoxin testing to ensure mushroom safety isn’t exclusive to RYZE; MUD/WTR clearly communicates on its website that all of its mushrooms go through “in-house and third-party testing for heavy metals and other contaminants.” Rasa also discloses that it uses “a wide range of strategic testing at third-party laboratories to screen for pesticides, heavy metals, sulfites, allergens, and microbial contaminants.” And Om Mushroom Superfood is another competitor that assures proper testing in the FAQ on its website.

Having discussed that, let’s go over the mushrooms in the blend and break down some of the health concerns associated with each:

Cost

RYZE Mushroom Coffee is pricier than many other mushroom coffees on the market. At $1.50 per serving (for a one-time purchase), it's still more economical than ordering at your local coffee shop. However, some competitors (like Om Mushroom Superfood and MUD/WTR) offer around the same amount of mushrooms for an even lower cost per serving.

If you want to purchase RYZE Mushroom Coffee through the brand’s website, you have a couple of options: You can make one-time purchases or start a subscription. Currently, RYZE only ships to the United States (free shipping) and Canada (a $14.99 fee).

A single, 30-serving bag of RYZE Mushroom Coffee will cost you $45, while a subscription will get you one bag of coffee for a flat rate of $36 every month. That's 20% in savings. You can also buy one of three bundles, either as a one-time purchase or a monthly subscription:

• RYZE Starter Kit (60 servings)
• Mushroom Coffee 90 Servings (a 3-pack of 30-serving bags)
• RYZE 'N Shine Bundle (Coffee: 30 servings, Creamer: 30 servings)

If you’re someone who enjoys frequent lattes and mochas from your favorite coffee shop, consider how much money you’d save per month with RYZE’s $36/month subscription.

The RYZE Starter Kit comes with two 30-serving bags of mushroom coffee, a recipe booklet, and a free handmade acacia spoon with your first order. The Mushroom Coffee 90 Servings bundle comes with three 30-serving bags of mushroom coffee. Finally, the RYZE 'N Shine Bundle is very similar to the RYZE Starter Kit but comes with a 30-serving bag of their Mushroom Coconut Creamer instead of a second 30-serving Mushroom Coffee bag.

The more servings you buy, the more you save; for one-time purchases, 60 servings (two bags) save you 11%, and 90 servings (three bags) save you 15% of their total price. If you get a subscription instead, 60 servings will save you 8%, and 90 will save you 16%. The coffee plus creamer bundle will save you only 4% as a one-time purchase compared to buying 30 servings (1 bag) of each product separately. As a subscription, you only save 1% with this bundle.

You can pause or cancel subscriptions at any time without penalty.

RYZE's website could be more intuitive to use; it can be difficult to navigate, and the promotions or discounts are also not always clearly stated. If you click "Try Now," you can receive the Welcome Discount. With this discount, you will be able to purchase the subscription typically priced at $36 for $6 less (about 16.67% off) or get the $66 RYZE Starter Kit (60 servings) for $11 less. This discount can be combined with the RYZE Club deal if you sign up for the email list.

If you take advantage of both discounts, you can get your 1-pack mushroom coffee subscription for $27 instead of $36.

Be advised that if you go directly to RYZE’s Shop on Demand section, the Welcome Discount will not apply to your purchase, and you will only be able to use your 10% discount code from email signup. You'll end up paying $32.40 in this case.

Efficacy

Proprietary blends (and other types of ingredient blends) are tricky territory. Although RYZE Mushroom Coffee contains several ingredients the company claims offer various health benefits, the small doses of these ingredients found in the product don't have enough evidence to support their efficacy. The same applies to other mushroom coffee competitors — the amounts offered don’t usually come close to the quantities used in studies.

Usually, this breadth of ingredients means you're sacrificing a specific, observable health outcome for potential yet unquantified wellness. Until more evidence shows how these ingredients work together, albeit in smaller quantities, effectiveness remains a gray area for RYZE and others across the competitor landscape.

Imagine that RYZE’s 2g of mushrooms per serving across six varieties are divided into equal quantities: that would give you 333mg of each. But it's just as likely that the proportions are unequal, with some mushrooms present in higher amounts than others. These mushrooms don’t show the same potential benefits in studies. Unfortunately, we have no way of knowing the numbers, and we wish RYZE would be more transparent about their dosages.

Another factor making it difficult to assess efficacy is that many clinical research studies use mushroom extract, while others use the whole mushroom in powdered form. Therefore, any potential results from RYZE may differ from some clinical research studies because the two forms of mushrooms have different concentrations of functional compounds.

Taste

Testers mostly agree that RYZE Mushroom Coffee doesn't have a strong mushroom taste. The earthiness from the mushrooms is mild and easily masked by creamer. If you love the taste of mushrooms and bitterness doesn't faze you, you may enjoy products featuring mainly Reishi and Shiitake, the earthiest-tasting mushrooms typically found in blends.

RYZE contains instant coffee, which in and of itself has a distinct taste compared to brewed coffee. If you have a strong preference for that freshly brewed coffee taste, some alternatives like Four Sigmatic Think, Wunderground Organic Brainchild, or Pure Shrooms Mind & Body ground coffees might be more appealing to you.

Nutritional Value and Caffeine

In addition to being low calorie, high fiber, and high protein, the mushrooms featured in the RYZE blend are technically rich in nutrients. B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin D, potassium, selenium, iron, copper, zinc, calcium, manganese, and beta-glucans only represent a fraction of the nutritional content found in the mushrooms used. However, it's impossible to say how much of each vitamin and mineral is present in RYZE Mushroom Coffee because the blend is proprietary.

RYZE's nutrition facts don't report any fiber or protein, which could mean that the mushrooms lose some nutrients in preparation despite being made from whole mushrooms. But it may still be more nutritious than coffee alone. Other competitors, like Om Mushroom Superfood, report the percentage of beta-glucans, a complex sugar known to have immune-boosting properties. This is another figure missing from RYZE's available information.

We do know, however, that RYZE contains 48mg of caffeine. Some of its caffeinated competitors, like La Republica, don't report caffeine content, which may be particularly important for people to know if they are pregnant or need to limit caffeine due to a medical concern.

Sustainability

RYZE mushrooms are sustainably grown in California and are 100% organic. The Arabica coffee in RYZE is also organic and shade-grown in Mexico. Shade-grown coffee is more sustainable than sun-grown coffee, as this method mimics the natural environment of the coffee plant. This process has ecological benefits, prevents soil erosion, reduces the need for pesticide use, and, additionally, the slower ripening process yields better-tasting beans that are lower in acid and caffeine.

Sustainability appears to be an important detail to many of RYZE’s competitors as well. For example, MUD/WTR, Rasa, Om Mushroom Superfood, and Laird Superfood take great care to detail their efforts to maintain sustainability.

RYZE mushroom coffee also contains organic MCT oil powder for added smoothness. MCT oil can either come from coconut or palm kernels. Coconut crops are more sustainable than palm crops, a known driver of deforestation. We spoke directly with RYZE to discover more about its MCT oil and were happy to learn that RYZE uses coconuts instead of palm kernels. Its coconuts come from Sri Lanka, and the MCT oil powder is produced in the U.S.

Convenience

RYZE Mushroom Coffee is an instant powder mix that can be added to water, milk, or creamer, whether hot or cold. For many, part of the convenience of this blend is that it has coffee as an ingredient; if you're looking for a way to supplement mushrooms, what could be easier than making it part of your morning routine?

Preparing RYZE is simple and straightforward; all you need to make your first cup of mushroom coffee is to stir one tablespoon of the instant powder into 8-10oz of a hot or cold liquid of your choice.

Other mushroom coffee competitors require brewing, which takes longer to prepare and involves other kitchen gadgets. Some may also prefer to keep their coffee drinking separate from their mushroom supplementation, or they could want more control over the kind of coffee they consume. If this sounds like what you’d prefer, Sacred 7 might be one competitor to consider, as its mushroom supplement powder can be added to your drink of choice.

Outside of the product itself, navigating the RYZE website to find additional information can be rather difficult at times, but ordering their products doesn’t require any more time or effort than a typical online retailer.

RYZE Superfoods is a young brand founded in 2020 by Harvard graduates Andrée Werner and Rashad Hossain. After spending years overconsuming coffee and feeling more and more drained by the practice, they began dabbling in adding medicinal mushrooms to their cups until they found a formula they were happy with: the RYZE Mushroom Coffee sold today. RYZE currently offers mushroom coffee, mushroom coconut creamer, mushroom matcha, and mushroom chicory. They also offer a text-message-based mindfulness and gratitude journal for RYZE members (those who purchase their products).

RYZE Mushroom Coffee is aptly named for what it is: an instant powdered drink that is part mushrooms, part coffee. It does contain caffeine, but only half the amount in a typical cup.

What are the benefits of mushrooms?

Over the past two decades, research on edible mushrooms has boomed, and the benefits of these nutrient-dense fungi are becoming more evident.

Mushrooms in the right quantities can do wonders for our health. They have antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as anti-tumor and anti-aging potentials, to name a few. But mushrooms are often an acquired taste, and only some are willing to eat them in the quantities necessary to reap the full benefits.

RYZE Mushroom Coffee could be a helpful alternative if you're looking to cut down on (but not eliminate) caffeine consumption for reasons including, but not limited to, the following:

• You’re pregnant, but your doctor gave you the green light to consume caffeine in small quantities
• You’re sensitive to caffeine but looking for a daily pick-me-up.
• You’re looking to drink less caffeine for digestive or other health reasons.

Although labeled as safe for pregnant people, recent studies have shown that even the current recommended limit of 200mg of caffeine per day can adversely affect a growing fetus.4 Coffee consumption while pregnant could lead to low birth weight, which is associated with other health risks in adulthood, such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.5 Additionally, research on mushroom consumption during pregnancy or lactation is too limited to confirm its safety; it's best to err on the side of caution under these circumstances.

RYZE Mushroom Coffee (and most other competitors) is a good option for those who adhere to certain diets, like vegan, gluten-free, or keto. The blend has MCT oil to make the drink creamy and smooth, masking much of the mushroom taste and giving the drink body without compromising its keto- and vegan-friendly nature with dairy.

The bulk of RYZE Mushroom Coffee consists of a proprietary blend of six mushrooms. This proprietary blend means we don’t know how much of each mushroom is in every serving of RYZE Mushroom Coffee. However, we know that studies use about 4g of Cordyceps mushrooms and about 2g a day of Lion's mane to demonstrate each mushroom’s beneficial effects.6 7 Considering that there are only 2g of the proprietary blend in every serving, it’s unlikely that there’s enough of all six mushrooms to see all purported health benefits with just one cup a day.

That said, dozens of cultures have been using these mushrooms for centuries, and research has confirmed the validity of many of their historical uses. We researched each of the six mushrooms used in RYZE’s proprietary blend, made from 100% fruiting bodies, and found that they all have long legacies of holistic healing, each with individual strengths. And, whether talking about physical activity or the nutritious foods we consume, something is typically more beneficial than nothing.

Cordyceps

Cordyceps mushrooms — a genus containing more than 700 mushroom species — have long been part of Chinese traditional medicine. At least 35 different Cordyceps species have demonstrated potential medicinal benefits, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, antimalarial, and antifungal properties.8 Cordyceps may even have anti-aging, anti-tumor, and anticonvulsant effects, but further clinical research is necessary to understand its impact and mechanism of action.9 10 16

Cordyceps made the news during the 1993 Olympics when Chinese athletes credited their success to Cordyceps sinensis supplementation.11 According to RYZE, the Cordyceps in its blend will increase and sustain your energy, bringing out your inner athlete. However, the company doesn’t specify which Cordyceps species is used. An image on RYZE’s website depicts Cordyceps militaris, with its distinctive orange color. Because Cordyceps sinensis is extremely rare and expensive due to strict host-specificity, confined geographical distribution, excessive harvesting, and habitat degradation, RYZE likely used Cordyceps militaris, which is easier to cultivate.12 13

Cordyceps has many potential benefits.15 However, only some of these activities have strong evidence confirming them:14

• Immunostimulating
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antiviral
• Anti-tumor
• Able to enhance physical performance
• Hypolipidemic
• Hypoglycemic
• Able to regulate steroid and sperm synthesis

As of now, only a few studies have demonstrated its antioxidant activity; RYZE’s claims of Cordyceps being a “potent antioxidant” are debatable.

Lion's Mane

Lion’s mane, scientifically known as Hericium erinaceus, is one of the most popular mushrooms to take as a health supplement without toxic effects.24 They can be found widely across North America, Europe, China, and Japan. They are known to have high levels of antioxidant compounds with antimicrobial activity.17 In fact, Lion's mane is so good at keeping oxidative damage out of your brain that a 2019 study showed it could suppress inflammation in your hippocampus, the easily damaged part of your brain that manages your memory.18 These antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties might even help stave off mental health problems like anxiety and depression, though research on this is insufficient.19

Lion's mane is also a rich source of proteins, carbohydrates, and fiber. It contains minerals like calcium and thiamin, essential amino acids, and physiologically important polysaccharides. These polysaccharides help stave off and manage diseases such as high blood pressure, hypercholesterolemia, liver problems, cancer, obesity, ulcers, and diabetes.20

One of the most valuable components in Lion's mane, the polysaccharide Erinacine A., is only found in its mycelium.21 RYZE, for instance, uses 100% fruiting bodies in its blend.

• The mycelium is the vegetative body of the mushroom that remains underground.
• The fruiting body is the reproductive part that produces spores.

These different parts bring different properties and nutritional values within one individual species. In Lion's mane, for instance, the mycelium has evidence supporting its protective effect against stroke, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Major Depression, neuropathic pain, and age-related hearing loss.22

While evidence of this fungi’s potential benefits is fascinating, it doesn’t support the claims of sharper focus and calm on RYZE's website.

Reishi

The reishi mushroom, or Galoderma lucidum, has been historically renowned in several East Asian countries, often referred to as a mushroom of immortality or the medicine of kings. People believed Reishi could extend your lifespan, promote agility, and strengthen memory. With modern science and testing techniques, researchers have found that it could help control blood glucose levels, prevent cancer, and protect your liver.25 26 However, clinical trial results have been somewhat inconsistent, so more research is needed to confirm some of these findings.

The most compelling research shows promising hypoglycemic effects in type-2 diabetes patients. This activity may be due to leucine, the most abundant amino acid in Reishi, which is known to possess hypoglycemic and antioxidant properties.27 Reishi is also a good source of protein and contains significant amounts of major minerals. It is particularly rich in riboflavin, niacin, and thiamin. These are just a few of its most salient nutritional characteristics.

RYZE states that Reishi can help you relieve stress, but we couldn’t find any clinical evidence to support the claim. Over time, scientists may better understand other ways Reishi mushrooms can help your body and general health.

Shiitake

Like many medicinal mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, or Lentinula edodes, have antioxidant, anti-tumor, and immunomodulatory properties.28 They are also rich in amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.

One significant benefit of shiitake mushrooms is their antithrombotic capacity, which helps degrade blood clots and, in some cases, keeps them from forming outright.29 Among their primary bio-functional components implicated in its antithrombotic capacity are vitamin E, oleic acid, linoleic acid, ergosterol, and butyric acid.30

Lentinan extract, a specific class of B-glucans from shiitake mushrooms, has also shown promise as an antibacterial, antiviral, and immunomodulatory bioactive component. This extract has become more relevant in the past few years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as lentinan has demonstrated protective effects against oxidative stress-induced cell death caused by cytokine storms.31 It could also hold potential as a treatment for sepsis-induced lung injury and against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.32

This evidence does seem to support RYZE’s claims that Shiitake mushrooms boast immune system benefits.

Turkey tail

While turkey tail mushrooms have minimal nutritional value, except for niacin and linoleic acid, they offer a wide range of health benefits.33 Turkey tail mushrooms, or Coriolus versicolor, seem to have prebiotic effects.34 36 Prebiotics helps to build up your gut microbiome by stimulating the growth of healthy bacteria your body naturally produces, working a step ahead of probiotics. A healthy prebiotic regimen can help you regulate your gut, improve your digestive health, and protect against antibiotic side effects.

Additionally, a 2023 study showed that the small molecules from C. versicolor seem to have immunomodulatory and anticancer effects.35 Its bioactive compound AM could be a potential cancer drug for the treatment of glioblastoma in the future. Further, polysaccharides (PSP) in C. versicolor have immunostimulatory effects that can lead to recurrence-free survival in cancer patients and higher counts of immune cells.34

A systematic review of 13 clinical trials also showed that cancer patients who received a combined treatment of Coriolus versicolor extract and traditional anticancer agents had a significant survival advantage compared to those receiving conventional therapeutics alone, with a 9% absolute reduction in 5-year mortality.34 More clinical trials are underway to understand its efficacy against numerous types of cancer.

The evidence we found appears to align with most of what RYZE claims as benefits of turkey tail mushrooms. However, we were unable to find studies supporting the company’s suggestions that the fungus relieves chronic fatigue.

King trumpet

King trumpet mushrooms, better known as king oyster mushrooms, are common in the grocery store or your local health foods store but are a hidden medicinal gem. Like most medicinally beneficial mushrooms, king trumpet mushrooms have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. They are also highly nutritious, containing significant levels of protein, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium.37

Recent research has shown that king trumpet mushrooms, or Pleurotus eryngii, in particular, contain N-acetyltryptamine, a precursor for melatonin and serotonin.38 This means that king trumpet mushrooms might help you regulate your sleep cycle and moods, along with lowering your stress reaction. By helping your body to make more serotonin, they can also improve your perception of hunger and fullness while suppressing ghrelin (a hunger hormone).39 Research also points to king trumpet mushrooms possessing immunomodulating effects, which can help your body fight cancer, infections, and other diseases.40

RYZE lists king trumpet as being part of the mix mainly to fight inflammation, and the research we found appears to support this. For the other suggested benefits, like cardiovascular support, we were unable to find studies on the topic.

Other ingredients

RYZE Mushroom Coffee also contains organic instant coffee grown in Mexico. While we don’t know how much coffee is in every serving, what we do know is it has 48mg of caffeine, which is about half the caffeine content of a standard cup of coffee or about as much as a serving of brewed black tea.

Finally, RYZE Mushroom Coffee includes an unknown amount of medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil. MCT oil is made from coconut or palm kernels. However, it is distinct from coconut and palm oil, which contain long-chain triglycerides (LCTs).

LCTs take much longer to metabolize than MCTs. This means that the body quickly metabolizes MCT oil and produces ketones, which serve as a good energy source for your brain. It can also help to increase your feelings of fullness, reducing your overall food intake.41

When added to something like coffee, fat helps to bind everything together and keeps your drink creamy. It also attaches to tannins, the compound that makes coffee taste bitter, and neutralizes them. That’s why oat milk tends to mask the bitter taste of black coffee better than almond milk or other low-fat alternatives.

We spoke directly with RYZE and learned its mushroom coffee is composed of whole mushrooms made into a powder (same as MUD/WTR and Om Mushroom Superfood) rather than a powdered extract (like Pure Shrooms, Wunderground, and Sacred 7). But what’s the difference, you ask?

Mushrooms that go through an extraction process release many of their bioactive compounds like polysaccharides (beta-glucans) and terpenes. Whole mushroom powder, on the other hand, is pretty much what it sounds like — the entire mushroom, but pulverized.

The primary difference is that in an extract, the mushrooms have been processed to collect a liquid with high concentrations of bioactive compounds at the end. Hot water extraction is one of the most common methods, but sometimes they are also processed in ethanol to release other compounds, as well, in a dual-extraction process. When you consume whole mushrooms, the body has to work more to get some of these same bioactive compounds. However, consuming the whole mushroom also has benefits like protein and fiber, which are lost in the extraction process (as part of the mushroom is discarded).

Often mushroom extract is controlled and tested so that the end product contains a specific amount of a desired compound, like beta-glucan. In order to achieve this, several grams of mushrooms must be used to end up with a higher concentration of the compound than that found in a single batch of whole mushrooms alone. This is why extracts are more concentrated than mushroom powders.

Personal opinion dictates which way of consuming mushrooms is best for you; it largely depends on the types of benefits you’re looking for.

We think that RYZE Mushroom Coffee is a decent value. While it likely won't supply all of the benefits you could get from full, research-supported doses of the mushrooms in RYZE’s proprietary blend, taking them in small doses may prove better than not taking them at all. Medicinal mushrooms are also great sources of essential nutrients we might not consume otherwise.

RYZE may seem expensive, but one bag has a month's worth of servings (30 total), so one 15-calorie cup costs $1.50. If you’re considering replacing a professionally made latte with a cup of RYZE, you can save yourself a significant amount of money every month. (On the other hand, replacing a cup of instant Folgers with a cup of RYZE would show it to be much more expensive per serving than regular instant coffee.)

RYZE also has one of the more extensive mushroom blend lists out of all of its competitors, similar to competitor products, like Sacred 7’s Mushroom Extract Powder (containing Chaga and Maitake, but excluding King Trumpet). La Republica also has several mushrooms in its blend but fails to report ingredient quantities, so the value can’t be properly assessed.

Despite having a proprietary blend, we appreciate that RYZE does reveal the total mushrooms you get per serving: 2g. With Sacred 7, you get a total of 1g of mushrooms per serving (143mg of each mushroom) at $0.43.

Total mushroom content per serving considered, Sacred 7 is a better deal than RYZE. However, let's not forget that RYZE includes coffee as an ingredient, while Sacred 7 is caffeine-free. When accounting for the cost of coffee, the price difference between RYZE and its competitors becomes more understandable. It ultimately comes down to whether you are looking for a caffeinated or caffeine-free drink.

Another factor to consider in assessing value is the cost per total grams of mushroom. But the issue is that not all products can be compared directly in terms of mushroom quantity. Some are made with whole mushrooms, and others are made from extracts of varying potencies. If you are looking for specific bioactive compounds like beta-glucan, diterpenes, or triterpenes, products made from mushroom extract will be a better value for you than a “full-spectrum” supplement made from whole-mushroom powder.

Where else can you buy RYZE?

RYZE is available in some other stores — most notably, Amazon and Walmart (when it's in stock, that is).

First-time order gifts

After your first purchase from RYZE, you’ll get a free acacia spoon and access to RYZE’s gratitude journal app. This app makes a pseudo-texting conversation between you and its AI. The AI asks you one question every day and expects you to respond with a short paragraph reflecting on something in your life. Over time, these short bursts of reflection can help you cultivate better mindfulness and gratitude for the things around you.

These gifts are only available to people who purchase their RYZE Mushroom Coffee through RYZE’s website; coffee bought through a third party like Amazon won’t be eligible.

Refund Policy

RYZE’s refund policy is one of the more strict we’ve seen in comparison to other mushroom coffee brands. Most competitors, like Om Mushroom Superfood or Laird Superfood, offer a fairly standard 30-day limit on refunds — no matter if it’s your first purchase or your tenth. Additionally, Four Sigmatic offers one of the best refund options of RYZE’s competitors, with a money-back guarantee for up to 120 days post-purchase. If you go past that time limit, you can still get your money back via store credit instead.

On the other hand, RYZE’s 100% refund policy only applies to your first subscription purchase from the company. The policy requires you to first reach out to its customer service representative; otherwise, your request may be misidentified, potentially leading to delays or a nullified refund. You must also notify RYZE if you refuse a shipment and expect a refund or exchange. Repeat refund requests from the same customer are not allowed.

• The “100% ‘LOVE-IT’ GUARANTEE” only applies to first-time orders within a subscription. For a refund to be issued, you have to notify RYZE within 30 days of purchase about your dissatisfaction, wait to receive your prepaid return slip, ship the product back, and wait for the company to accept the returned package. If you opt for a one-time purchase and are dissatisfied with the product, you may not return it, and you aren’t entitled to a refund.
• RYZE will not issue refunds on purchases older than 30 days or opened products (broken seal). Once the returned product reaches the company warehouse, it’s inspected and evaluated.
• RYZE bears no responsibility for lost, stolen, misrouted, undelivered, or seized shipments. Undelivered shipments can only be refunded if the product is rerouted and arrives back at the warehouse.
• If you received a defective or damaged product, RYZE will refund you but still charge a 3% processing fee. For any return reason other than damage, you’ll be responsible for the original shipping cost and return cost, in addition to the 3% processing fee. Upon refusal of a defective or damaged package, you may only receive a refund if the product arrives safely back at the warehouse.
• The same applies to the refusal of an accidental duplicate order. However, you will still be responsible for the original shipment costs, the return shipping fees, and a 3% processing fee.

Before diving into some details of popular mushroom coffee alternatives, we’ve put together a chart showing how RYZE and its competitors compare in a few ways — cost per serving, total mushroom content, and whether or not the brands offer caffeinated or caffeine-free options.

Caffeinated alternatives

RYZE’s competitors with caffeinated options include:

Out of those options, your least expensive choices would be Laird Superfood, Om Mushroom Superfood, or Wunderground. Based on the amount of mushrooms you get per serving, though, the best bang for your buck would definitely come from Om Mushroom Superfood. If cost isn’t as much of a concern, you could get even more mushrooms per serving and save money by choosing MUD/WTR over RYZE.

Rasa is another great option if you don’t mind not knowing the exact amount of mushrooms you’re getting and would like to have other potentially beneficial components in your morning brew. Classic Rasa includes six adaptogens (herbs, roots, mushrooms, and other plant substances): Korean red ginseng, Cordyceps, Rhodiola, Gynostemma, Shatavari, and maca.

If you feel the opposite and would prefer to know precisely how much of each mushroom you’re getting in your mushroom coffee, then MUD/WTR is for you. Under the nutrition facts on the page for their Morning Ritual Starter Kit, the company communicates that there is “562mg of each mushroom per serving.” That’s 562mg of Lion’s mane, Chaga, Reishi, and Cordyceps. (Again, like RYZE, these amounts fall below the amounts that produced beneficial health impacts in studies, but we appreciate the transparency.)

Caffeine-free alternatives

A handful of the same brands (plus some new names) offer caffeine-free mushroom coffee or additions to mix into your drink of choice. These alternatives include:

• Om Mushroom Superfood
• Four Sigmatic
• Rasa
• La Republica
• Renude
• Naturealm’s Sacred 7

Price-wise, Sacred 7 is the way to go at only $0.43 per serving, plus you get the option of adding their “easy-to-mix” powder to your drink of choice. If you prefer variety and don’t want to purchase multiple mushroom-inclusive products, this is the one for you. Packed with seven mushrooms (hence the name), including Chaga, Cordyceps, Lion’s mane, Maitake, Reishi, Shiitake, and Turkey tail, Sacred 7 is a really good deal. And if 1g per serving doesn’t feel like enough mushrooms, you can always add more of their powder to your drink.

Renude’s “Chagaccino” is an interesting option, as it only contains one type of mushroom — Chaga. This drink, with 0.5g of Chaga, comes pre-sweetened with monk fruit and erythritol. The company claims it tastes similar to a Starbucks mocha Frappuccino or coffee ice cream, and the reviews appear to support this. If you’re concerned about the earthy tastes of other mushroom coffees, the Chagaccino could be a good option. On the other hand, if you’re sensitive to sweeteners or sugar alcohols (even naturally-occurring ones), this might be one to avoid.