Ryze coffee contains six mushrooms: cordyceps, reishi, king trumpet, shiitake, turkey tail, and lion’s mane. The company calls this its “Super6 Mushroom Blend,” and all six are organic. These sit alongside organic instant Arabica coffee, a prebiotic fiber blend, and depending on the product version, coconut milk and MCT oil.
Each mushroom in the blend has a different traditional use, and some have more clinical research behind them than others. Here’s what each one actually does and what the science says so far.
Lion’s Mane: The Focus Mushroom
Lion’s mane is the ingredient most people are curious about. It contains compounds that can cross the blood-brain barrier and stimulate the production of nerve growth factor, a protein your brain needs to maintain and grow neurons. In a pilot study of healthy young adults taking 1.8 grams daily, participants performed significantly faster on a cognitive task called the Stroop test after a single dose.
Older adults with mild cognitive impairment showed improved scores on standardized mental function tests after 16 weeks of supplementation at 3 grams per day. A separate 49-week trial in patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease found improvements in daily functioning and mental status scores. There’s also evidence that lion’s mane increases levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein linked to learning, memory, and mood regulation. Reduced BDNF levels are associated with major depressive disorder, which is one reason researchers are interested in lion’s mane for mood support.
The catch: the doses used in these studies (1.8 to 3+ grams) are considerably higher than what you’d get in a single serving of any mushroom coffee blend that splits its formula across six species.
Cordyceps: The Energy Mushroom
Cordyceps is included for its potential to support physical energy. Rather than working like caffeine, cordyceps appears to influence how your cells produce and regenerate ATP, the molecule your body uses as fuel. In animal and lab research, cordyceps extract activated an enzyme called AMPK, which acts as an energy sensor in cells. When activated, it shifts the body toward generating more energy rather than consuming it.
A study on cordyceps extract found it increased grip strength by about 10 grams-force compared to a control group after 11 to 12 weeks of use, a modest but measurable gain similar to what red ginseng produced. The extract also boosted markers related to glucose transport into muscle tissue and phosphocreatine activity, which helps muscles regenerate fuel during exertion. In some people, cordyceps paired with caffeine can cause overstimulation, dizziness, or a racing heartbeat, particularly on an empty stomach.
Reishi: The Calming Mushroom
Reishi is traditionally associated with stress reduction and relaxation. A three-month trial in amateur cyclists found that supplementing with reishi (alongside cordyceps) produced a statistically significant change in the testosterone-to-cortisol ratio, a marker used to assess physical stress and overtraining risk. The shift was protective, meaning the athletes’ hormonal stress response was better managed during intense exercise.
Reishi is often marketed as calming, but it can have stimulating effects in some people and may disrupt sleep. Heavy or prolonged use has been linked in rare case reports to liver strain, especially when combined with alcohol.
Turkey Tail, Shiitake, and King Trumpet
These three round out the blend. Turkey tail is one of the most studied medicinal mushrooms for immune support. It’s rich in polysaccharides, complex carbohydrates that appear to modulate immune cell activity. Shiitake is both a culinary staple and a source of similar immune-supporting compounds, along with B vitamins and minerals. King trumpet (also called king oyster) is the least studied of the six for medicinal purposes but is valued for its antioxidant content and as a natural source of ergothioneine, an amino acid your body can’t make on its own that may help protect cells from oxidative damage.
What Else Is in the Blend
Beyond the mushrooms, Ryze contains organic instant coffee made from Arabica beans, delivering about 48 milligrams of caffeine per cup. That’s roughly half what you’d get from a standard cup of brewed coffee, which runs around 96 milligrams. Some versions of the product also include organic coconut milk and MCT oil, which contribute to the creamy texture. A prebiotic fiber blend of acacia, inulin, and tapioca fiber rounds out the formula.
Nutritionally, a serving is minimal: 15 calories, 1 gram of fat, 1 gram of carbohydrate, zero sugar, and zero protein.
How It Tastes and How to Make It
If you’re expecting an overpowering mushroom flavor, Ryze doesn’t deliver one. Most people describe it as smooth, nutty, and mildly toasty, closer to a light latte than a cup of black coffee. There’s a slight earthiness in the background, but the roasted coffee note is the dominant flavor. It’s noticeably less acidic and less bitter than regular coffee.
For the best results, use hot water between 175 and 185°F, not boiling, which can make it taste flat or bitter. One scoop (about a tablespoon) in 8 to 10 ounces of water, mixed with a handheld frother or shaker bottle, gives the smoothest texture. Plant-based milks blend better than heavy dairy. Once mixed, don’t reheat it in the microwave, as it tends to separate and lose flavor.
Who Should Be Cautious
Mushroom coffee can cause bloating, nausea, or diarrhea, especially in people with sensitive digestion or IBS. Lion’s mane and reishi extracts have both been specifically linked to stomach upset in some users. Allergic reactions are possible since mushrooms are fungi. People with kidney disease should be cautious with mushroom blends in general, though Ryze doesn’t contain chaga, the species most associated with kidney stone risk. Those taking medication, particularly blood thinners or immunosuppressants, should check with a doctor before adding medicinal mushrooms to their routine, as several of these species can interact with drugs that affect clotting or immune function.