Our iced coffee recipe is the perfect choice when you want to feel refreshed, energized, and focused. And we’ve taken this popular drink to the next level by adding a teaspoon of agaricus blazei powder. This adaptogenic mushroom can help to support the body’s natural immune defences, boost cardiovascular health, and fight free radicals. So, let’s get brewing!
The origins of iced coffee
Iced coffee is a common sight on the menus of cafes and coffee shops around the world. Although many of us think of it as a modern drink, its origins actually date back over a hundred years. It’s unclear exactly who came up with the initial iced coffee recipe. However, there are two dominant stories about the invention of this deliciously refreshing beverage. The first traces iced coffee back to 17th century Vienna, when a Turkish army left behind a surplus of coffee beans after departing the city. Citizens began experimenting with different methods of brewing the drink, which included serving it iced. The second tale takes us to Algeria in 1840, and a drink called mazagran. The French army was stationed in the region, where they drank a beverage prepared with coffee syrup and cold water. Some say local people served it to the troops. Others claim the soldiers invented it themselves when they needed a cooling drink to counter the heat and had run out of milk to add to their coffee. Either way, they brought this early iced coffee recipe home with them, and Parisian cafes soon began serving it. Since then, many varieties of cold coffee have sprung up across the globe. For example, the traditional Japanese iced coffee recipe is to simply make hot coffee and pour it directly over ice. This cools the drink immediately, preserving all the complex flavors that the hot water unlocked. Meanwhile, a frappé includes other ingredients like milk and sugar, and is shaken, blended, or beaten until foamy. Whichever iced coffee recipe you choose, you’ll enjoy a revitalizing drink that can offer plenty of benefits to your wellbeing. As if we needed another excuse to brew a cup!
The many health benefits of coffee
One of coffee’s major advantages is also perhaps the most common reason people drink it: it boosts your energy. This is because it contains caffeine, which acts as a stimulant by altering levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain.(1) Not only can drinking coffee make you feel more alert and reduce fatigue, it could additionally enhance your athletic performance.(2) Excitingly, whipping up this iced coffee recipe at home may do more than improve just your physical performance. It can also heighten your cognitive powers. Studies suggest that drinking coffee might increase functions such as attention, working memory, reaction time and learning.(3) The beverage could even help to lower your risk of depression.(4) Moreover, research indicates that drinking coffee may work to reduce the likelihood of neurodegenerative conditions and cognitive decline. Evidence links caffeine consumption with a lower risk of getting Parkinson’s disease.(5) It also suggests that caffeine can slow the progression of the condition. Likewise, numerous studies have discovered that drinking coffee regularly could decrease the chances of developing Alzheimer’s.(6) It's not only the brain that this iced coffee recipe may be good for. Research also shows that it can benefit the health of your heart. Studies have found coffee consumption correlates with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, heart failure and stroke.(7) Thanks to its positive effects on inflammation, metabolism and insulin sensitivity, coffee might additionally lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.(8) Another interesting advantage of drinking coffee is that it may help with weight management. Evidence links the drink with decreased levels of body fat and improved gut health, which reduce the risk of obesity.(9) All of which could explain why research associates coffee with a lower mortality risk and increased longevity.(10) Time to get started making this iced coffee recipe!
Is coffee good for everyone?
Drinking coffee in moderation is generally considered to be safe for the vast majority of adults. However, it’s important to remember that caffeine is a stimulant and therefore might not be suitable for everyone. As an example, it’s advisable for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding to limit their intake. Similarly, caffeine can increase blood pressure and thus might have a detrimental impact on those with heart conditions or hypertension. Even for healthy adults, consuming too much caffeine may have a negative effect on sleep and anxiety levels. Finally, the likelihood of enjoying the potential health benefits of coffee discussed above depends on how you drink it. For instance, it’s best not to add a lot of sugar, cream, or flavorings to this iced coffee recipe. That’s because it will increase the calorie content and counteract some of the positive effects of the coffee.
Refreshing and invigorating: our iced coffee recipe
Ok, let’s get into the details of how to make iced coffee recipes at home. It’s both quick and easy, so we’re sure you’ll find it a fabulous alternative to your normal cup of joe! First, grab your favorite coffee beans and brew espresso. It’s entirely up to you whether you do so with a fancy machine, AeroPress, Moka pot or cafetière! Then pour two shots into each cup – to make things extra chilled, try cooling the glasses beforehand! To this, add the vanilla extract and date syrup. You can swap the latter for agave nectar or maple syrup if you prefer. Either way, feel free to adjust the amount of sweetener you use to suit your palate. The next step is to put in the agaricus blazei powder. In our opinion, that’s what makes this the best iced coffee recipe! It might sound like an unusual choice. However, the mushroom’s nutty, earthy taste pairs perfectly with the nuanced bitterness of coffee. It also brings a wealth of extra benefits to the drink, as we’ll discuss later. Take a small spoon or whisk and mix the drink well. Then add the ice cubes to the glasses before pouring the milk on top. You might find that you need more or less than we’ve indicated depending on the size of your cups. We have suggested using unsweetened oat milk, but you can of course substitute this for any other plant-based, barista variety. All that remains is to give your completed iced coffee recipe a gentle stir, and it’s ready to enjoy! We recommend drinking it shortly after making it. This will ensure that the beverage is cool, but the ice cubes haven’t melted and diluted the coffee too much. Delicious!
How agaricus blazei can benefit your wellbeing
Now that you know how to make this iced coffee recipe, let’s return to its most unusual ingredient: agaricus blazei. In its native Brazil, people refer to this medicinal mushroom as the ‘mushroom of god’ and ‘mushroom of the sun’. This is thanks to its impressive potential health benefits. We’ve got a more detailed article on how agaricus blazei can boost wellbeing, but here’s a quick recap. One reason people prize agaricus blazei so highly is because of its ability to support our immune system. The mushroom is rich in potent polysaccharides called beta-glucans, which activate certain immune cells like macrophages and natural killer cells.(11) On top of which, as a prebiotic, they promote the growth of good bacteria in your gut. In addition to beta-glucans, agaricus blazei contains several key secondary metabolites which can have a positive influence on wellness. For example, these include triterpenes and sterols such as ergosterol that have powerful anti-inflammatory properties.(12) Experts have linked chronic inflammation to numerous harmful conditions, including arthritis and heart disease, making this a key benefit. Another way agaricus blazei could help to protect your heart is by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels.(13) This in turn can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Studies suggest the mushroom might also improve insulin resistance in people with diabetes, assisting with blood sugar management.(14) Moreover, agaricus blazei is bursting with antioxidant compounds such as ergothioneine.(15) These defend the body from oxidative damage, which research has linked with several chronic health conditions and signs of ageing. Finally, as an adaptogen, agaricus blazei may even help the mind and body to deal with stress more effectively. Are you beginning to see why we included the mushroom in this iced coffee recipe?
All about our agaricus blazei powder
We take every possible step to ensure that our medicinal mushroom powders are of the highest quality. Our team of expert mycologists has over 20 years of experience, which they combine with the latest scientific findings to cultiv
