Mushroom coffee smoothie

But first, coffee

Coffee seems like a quintessential drink of the modern world. However, people have been enjoying the beverage for centuries – long before the creation of the first coffee smoothie. The exact origin of coffee is unclear, but one popular legend attributes its discovery to an Ethiopian goat herder called Kaldi.

He noticed that the animals in his care became particularly lively after nibbling on a specific type of berry. Deciding to try it for himself, he found that he too felt energized after consuming them. Kaldi shared his finding with local monks, who started using coffee to keep themselves alert during their nightly worship and early morning prayers.(1)

Word soon spread, and coffee made its way to the Arabian peninsula. From there, travellers brought the beans to Europe. Historians believe that the world’s first coffeehouse opened in Constantinople (now Istanbul) in 1475. While such establishments quickly became popular, they were not without their controversies.

Coffeehouses often functioned as meeting places where you could freely discuss topics such as literature and politics. In fact, in the UK people referred to them as ‘penny universities’. That’s because for the price of a penny, you could engage in intellectual debate with fellow scholars, artists, scientists, and revolutionaries.

King Charles II was so concerned by this potential for political dissent that he actually tried to ban coffeehouses in 1675.(2) Thankfully, his attempt failed, and the popularity of coffee and coffeehouses continued to grow.

Today, modern coffee shops are a common sight on high streets and in shopping centres – even in traditionally tea-drinking countries. And that’s not just because coffee tastes great. Whether you have it hot, iced, or in a coffee smoothie, the drink offers a wealth of potential health benefits. Let’s take a closer look.

Yes, coffee is good for you!

Most of us are aware that scientific research backs up those original anecdotal stories about coffee boosting energy. This is thanks to the caffeine it contains.

Caffeine acts as a central nervous system stimulant, fighting fatigue, decreasing drowsiness, and enhancing energy. It does this by altering levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain.(3) That means a coffee smoothie can be a great way to help you feel more alert in the morning. It could likewise be an effective tactic for boosting your athletic performance.

However, extra energy is far from the only benefit you can get from a cup of joe. For instance, a coffee smoothie may also be advantageous for your cognitive health. And that’s not simply because the drink increases your concentration and memory. Studies indicate that drinking coffee could reduce the risk of cognitive decline and developing neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.(4)

Interestingly, a coffee smoothie can even work to improve your mood. As an example, evidence links coffee consumption with a lower chance of depression.(5)

One of the most exciting potential benefits of coffee is that it could increase longevity. Research has found that consuming the drink is associated with a lower risk of death from conditions such as cancer.(6) Moreover, as an antioxidant, coffee may help defend our cells against ageing and the damage caused by free radicals.

Drinking a coffee smoothie could also reduce the risk of heart disease, heart failure, and stroke.(7) However, because of caffeine’s impact on blood pressure, high coffee consumption is not recommended for people with hypertension.

Finally, moderate coffee intake may additionally decrease the chances of developing type 2 diabetes.(8) This could be due to its positive influence on insulin sensitivity, metabolism, and inflammation.

Our coffee smoothie recipe: a delicious way to support brain health

We love a classic cup of coffee as much as the next person. However, it’s not the only way to enjoy the above-mentioned health benefits. This coffee smoothie recipe is a fantastic alternative option for getting your caffeine boost – plus a wealth of other advantages. It’s also super quick and easy to make.

Start by cutting up a banana and popping it into a blender along with three tablespoons of oats. Then add two shots of chilled espresso coffee – feel free to adjust the amount if you want more or less caffeine. Next, pour in 400ml of oat milk (or your preferred type of plant-based milk). Again, you can alter the amount to make your coffee smoothie bigger or smaller to suit your needs.

To this, add the coconut sugar and cocoa nibs – don’t forget to save some to garnish the finished coffee smoothie! Then pop in the ground cloves, a cup of ice cubes, and a tablespoon of almond butter. Like with the milk, you can swap the almond butter for another variety of nut butter if you prefer. This is a subtle way to adjust the flavor of your coffee smoothie.

Finally, it’s time for the star ingredient of this coffee smoothie recipe – lion’s mane mushroom powder. We’ll talk about the many benefits of this fabulous fungus later in the article! For now, sprinkle in one or two teaspoons, then blend the mixture until it’s deliciously smooth and creamy.

Fill your serving glasses with ice cubes, then pour the coffee smoothie on top. The last step is to garnish your drinks with the rest of the coconut sugar, plus cocoa nibs for a hint of crunch. Enjoy before the ice melts!

An oatload of goodness

Oats might not be the most exciting ingredient to have in your coffee smoothie, but they bring plenty of benefits. First, like the banana, they help to thicken up the drink. Second, oats are highly nutritious. They're rich in fiber and protein, plus several key vitamins and minerals such as manganese, copper, thiamine, and zinc.

One of the most potent nutrients that oats contain is beta-glucan fiber. Studies indicate that this has a number of potential health benefits. These include increasing feelings of satiety, reducing cholesterol, lowering blood sugar, and nourishing the good bacteria in your gut.(9) Consequently, adding them to your coffee smoothie could support your wellbeing in numerous ways.

All about almond butter

Almond butter is another ingredient that more than earns its place in your coffee smoothie. For example, it’s rich in vitamin E. This potent antioxidant helps fight oxidative stress, plus supports heart health by preventing the buildup of plaque in your arteries. Almond butter also contains plenty of calcium and iron, making it beneficial for your bones and blood too.

Almond butter further benefits your cardiovascular health thanks to the monounsaturated fat it contains. This can help to reduce levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as improve blood pressure.(10)

Moreover, nut butter is what makes this a coffee protein smoothie. It's a brilliant source of plant-based protein, helping to support the health of your muscles and bones.

For the maximum benefit, choose almond butter that doesn’t contain any added sugar, trans fats, or other unwanted ingredients. And remember that nut butters are high in calories, so don’t put too much in your coffee smoothie!

The health benefits of lion’s mane

The ingredient that truly sets this drink apart from other coffee smoothie recipes is the lion’s mane mushroom powder. In case you’re not familiar with it, lion’s mane is a type of medicinal mushroom. Traditional medicine practitioners have been using it for generations, and modern research is finding evidence to support its reputed advantages.

One of the greatest benefits of lion’s mane is its ability to enhance our cognitive health. Studies suggest the fungus could stimulate the growth of certain brain cells and protect against conditions like Alzheimer’s.(11) On top of which, the mushroom may be able to ease symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders.(12) This makes it the perfect addition to a coffee smoothie.

Like most medicinal mushrooms, lion’s mane also works to support the body’s natural immune defences. Similar to oats, it’s rich in polysaccharides called beta-glucans. These can enhance the function of certain kinds of immune cells, including macrophages and natural killer cells.(13)

Lion’s mane further boosts immunity by encouraging the growth of good bacteria in the gut.(14) As well as supporting the immune system, this may protect against IBS and ulcers in the digestive system. The health of your gut microbiota influences everything from immunity to brain health, so this benefit is not to be overlooked.

Furthermore, lion’s mane has antioxidant properties. Adding it to your coffee smoothie can therefore help protect your cells against the harm caused by free radicals. Experts have linked such oxidative stress to many chronic conditions, from arthritis to cancer, making this another key advantage.

Finally, lion’s mane also functions as an adaptogen. That means it can enable the mind and body to cope with stress more effectively. What more could you want from your morning coffee smoothie?

Introducing our lion’s mane mushroom powder

To get the maximum benefit from the medicinal mushrooms in your coffee smoothie, it’s vital to choose a high-quality product. That’s why we work with expert mycologists to produce our organic lion’s mane mushroom powder.

Our team grows the fungi in small batches on organic lignocellulosic substrates under meticulously controlled conditions in Europe. Once ready, they carefully dry the mushrooms at 60°C to make sure there’s no microbial contamination. We then grind the dried lion’s mane into a fine powder, so it’s convenient for you to use.

We also have our lion’s mane checked by independent and accredited testers to verify its quality. As such, we can confidently say our powder contains over 32% beta-glucans and 1.5mg of erinacine A per 1g serving. This is considered high.

Lion’s mane goes perfectly in this coffee smoothie recipe, but there are plenty of other ways to take it. The traditional method is to make mushroom tea by simply brewing the powder in hot water. Alternatively, you can mix half a teaspoon into a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. The powder’s mild, earthy flavor is the perfect complement to both coffee and cocoa!

You can even add lion’s mane powder to food. The best recipes to use it in are dishes like soups and stews. That’s because the hot liquid helps to draw out the mushroom’s nutrients. Just remember to take a break of a few weeks after 6-8 weeks of taking lion’s mane. This is so that you don’t overstimulate your immune system or develop a tolerance to the fungus.

As a side note, it’s not recommended for children or pregnant or breastfeeding women to consume medicinal mushrooms. This is because there hasn’t yet been enough research to determine the safety for these groups.

Serving tips for this coffee smoothie recipe

Because of the stimulating effects of the caffeine, we recommend drinking this coffee smoothie early in the day. Alternatively, you could make it with decaf coffee if you want to enjoy it in the afternoon or evening.

Switching to decaf is far from the only way you can customize your coffee smoothie. In addition to changing the type of nut butter you use, you could also swap the cloves for other spices. Vanilla is a superb choice, as well as cinnamon, cardamom, and pumpkin spice. Another option is to add more crunch by using extra cocoa nibs, or adding a sprinkle of your favorite seeds.

To make your coffee smoothie more of a mocha, you may like to add a scoop of cocoa powder. Similarly, those with a sweet tooth might enjoy a splash of agave nectar in the mix. If you find that the ice dilutes the taste of your smoothie, try making coffee ice cubes instead. Then the coffee flavor will stay strong until the very end of your drink.

Whichever way you make your coffee smoothie, you’ll wonder how you ever started your day without it!