Lion's Mane Latte

This Lion's Mane latte is an everyday cafe-style latte, made in a 250 ml cup, with 1 g of Lion's Mane extract powder whisked through the espresso. The 10:1 fruiting body extract adds a gentle, earthy depth that sits comfortably under espresso and milk. Lion's Mane is traditionally used in East Asian cooking, and this is an easy way to fit it into a morning routine without changing how your coffee tastes.

Time and difficulty

• Servings: 1 (250 ml cup)
• Prep time: 3 minutes
• Cook time: 2 minutes
• Total time: 5 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

• 1 g Lion's Mane extract powder, weighed on a digital scale
• 1 shot (30 ml) espresso
• 200 ml milk of choice
• 1 tsp maple syrup or honey, optional (not included in nutrition)

Method

1. Weigh the extract: Weigh 1 g of Lion's Mane extract powder on a digital scale.
2. Pull the espresso: Pull a 30 ml shot of espresso into a 250 ml cup.
3. Add the extract: Add the 1 g of extract to the hot espresso and whisk for about 15 seconds until evenly dispersed.
4. Steam the milk: Steam 200 ml of milk to around 60C to 65C, creating a thin layer of fine microfoam (about 1 cm).
5. Pour: Pour the steamed milk into the centre of the espresso in one steady stream, finishing with the thin layer of foam on top. Sweeten if you like.

Utensils needed

• Digital scale (0.1 g accuracy)
• Espresso machine with steam wand, or espresso maker and milk frother
• 250 ml cup
• Small whisk or milk frother wand

Nutrition

Estimated values per serve, made with 200 ml full cream milk. Excludes the optional sweetener. Estimated, to confirm.

Recipe notes

Weighing is the most reliable way to measure a 1 g serve, since spoon measures vary with how the powder is packed. Mix the extract into the espresso before adding milk, since it disperses more easily in a small volume of hot liquid. Extract powder disperses rather than fully dissolving, so a little fine sediment is normal; the mixing result is to confirm after a test batch. Oat and almond milk both work well; barista blends steam best. For an iced version, whisk the powder into the espresso, then pour over ice and cold milk. Keep the powder sealed in a cool, dry place. This recipe uses a single 1 g serve and is a food recipe, not a health product.

Pairing

Serve with a slice of banana bread or a plain almond biscotti, whose sweetness balances the earthy note of the Lion's Mane.

FAQs

How much Lion's Mane extract goes in a latte?

This recipe uses 1 g of Lion's Mane extract powder, the standard serving for our 10:1 extract powder. Weighing it on a small digital scale gives the most consistent result from cup to cup, since spoon measures vary.

Does Lion's Mane change the taste of coffee?

Only slightly. Lion's Mane extract has a mild, earthy flavour that tends to blend into espresso and milk. Most people notice a faint savoury depth rather than a mushroom taste. A small amount of maple syrup or honey softens it further if you prefer.

Can I add Lion's Mane powder to boiling water?

It is better to whisk it into hot espresso than into boiling water. Whisking into a small volume of freshly pulled espresso gives even dispersion before the milk goes in, and makes a more pleasant drink.

Can I make a Lion's Mane latte with plant milk?

Yes. Oat, almond and soy milk all work well. Barista-style plant milks steam best and hold a finer foam. Adjust sweetness to suit, since some plant milks are already sweetened, and heat them gently to avoid splitting.

Can I make this Lion's Mane coffee iced?

Yes. Whisk the 1 g of extract powder into a hot shot of espresso first so it disperses evenly, then pour over ice and top with cold milk. Stir before drinking, since a little powder can settle in cold drinks.

Products used

Lion's Mane Extract Powder (50 g, 75 g, 150 g, 300 g, 1.2 kg)