Lion’s mane mushroom coffee
| Photo Credit: Special arrangement

Mushroom coffee has been on the rise in popularity for a number of years now. The options available in the Indian market all rely on powdered extracts or instant blends. Bengaluru-based artisanal coffee brand Maverick and Farmer launches whole bean-infused lion’s mane coffee. In collaboration with Nuvedo, these coffee beans are made with a new kind of technology that blends the two ingredients at the roasting stage. The makers are filing for a patent for this new technology.

What is mushroom coffee?

Mushroom coffee was originally invented during World War II. Since coffee beans were scarce, mushrooms were used as a substitute because they have a nutty flavour. In recent years, it has become popular because of the supposed health benefits of mushroom coffee. These coffees combine extracts of mushrooms, such as lion’s mane, reishi, chaga or cordyceps. Mushroom coffees are lower in acidity and caffeine content. They give a longer sustained buzz, when compared to regular coffee.

Lion’s mane mushroom in the wild
| Photo Credit:
Wikimedia commons

“The brands that are available usually have more mushroom, and less coffee,” says Ashish D’abreo, co-founder of Maverick and Farmer. “Whatever I tasted, the emphasis was more on the mushroom, and less on the flavour profile of coffee. For a coffee drinker that is not a nice thing. We have created this process where we add the mushroom extract during the roasting process to the coffee beans, at a particular time and temperature. We did lots of tests so the properties of both are intact.” What Maverick and Farmer want to offer is a good tasting cup of coffee, which also has mushroom extracts.

“This blend was a challenge. We wanted to maintain the bold, smooth taste of specialty Arabica while ensuring the mushroom infusion delivered real cognitive benefits. It took a year of R&D,” adds Sreeram G, co-founder of Maverick and Farmer.

The coffee is available as whole beans

The mushrooms that are used are lion’s mane mushrooms. The extract is provided by Bengaluru-based Nuvedo. The brand is a leading name in the industry, and sells mushroom extracts, growing kits and dried mushrooms. “We make our extracts with advanced technology that uses ultrasound vibrations to release compounds in the solution. We are the only ones in India who do this,” says Jashid Hameed, co-founder of Nuvedo.

The coffee beans are available in whole bean form. This ensures that it appeals to serious coffee drinkers as well, who like their coffees brewed a specific way. They can grind it to their preference and make it in a French press or Moka pot. “We wanted to give that kind of customisation. We wanted to tap into the real coffee drinkers. They do not have to change any of their daily drinking habits,” says Jashid.

Lion’s mane mushrooms have a sweet but deep umami note, different than that of common button mushrooms. The coffee is a medium to dark roast. The beans look like regular coffee but have a sheen to them. The taste profile has is chocolate and caramel notes.

Lion’s Mane Mushroom Coffee is priced at ₹1,700 for 200 g. Available online and at Maverick & Farmer outlets across India