Mushroom Tea: What It Is and How to Make It (the Non-Psychedelic Kind)

Mushroom tea is a warm drink made by steeping culinary or functional mushrooms such as Lion's Mane, reishi or chaga in hot water.

This article covers only those non-psychedelic mushrooms. It is not about psychedelic mushrooms and gives no information on them.

Below, you will find which mushrooms work best, how to make mushroom tea in two simple ways and what the research says. Xotic Mushrooms grows Lion's Mane in Australia and ships its extract powder and capsules internationally, including to the US.

What Is Mushroom Tea?

Mushroom tea is a hot drink made by infusing culinary or functional mushrooms, or their extract powder, in hot water. It has a mild, earthy flavour and is usually drunk plain, with a little honey, or blended into a latte.

Functional mushrooms are edible species that have been traditionally used in Asian food and tea cultures for centuries and are now often researched for their bioactive compounds. Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus), reishi, chaga and cordyceps are the best known. Shiitake and other kitchen mushrooms can also be brewed into a savoury broth-style tea.

Search results for mushroom tea sometimes mix in psychedelic content, which causes plenty of confusion. The species in this guide are entirely different, and Lion's Mane is not psychedelic or mind-altering in any way.

You can make mushroom tea from dried mushroom slices, tea bags, or a fine extract powder. Extract powder is the quickest option, since the hot water extraction has already been done for you and the powder simply dissolves.

Which Mushrooms Are Used for Mushroom Tea?

The most popular mushrooms for tea are Lion's Mane, reishi, chaga and cordyceps, each with its own flavour and typical use.

Lion's Mane is the easiest starting point for most people, because its gentle flavour does not overpower tea, ginger or milk. Reishi is an acquired taste and often needs honey or cinnamon to balance its bitterness.

Whichever species you choose, look for a product made from the fruiting body and a supplier that publishes independent lab results. That is the clearest way to know what is actually in your cup.

How to Make Mushroom Tea with Lion's Mane Extract Powder

To make mushroom tea with extract powder, stir one label serve into hot water, let it sit for a minute, then flavour it to taste.

• Boil the kettle, then let the water cool for a minute or two.
• Add one label serve (1 g) of Lion's Mane extract powder to a mug.
• Pour in about 250 ml of hot water and stir until fully dissolved.
• Leave it for a minute so the flavour settles.
• Add honey, lemon, ginger or a splash of milk if you like.

Xotic's Lion's Mane extract powder is a 100% fruiting body 10:1 extract made with hot water and ethanol dual extraction, with no added starch, grain, mycelium or fillers. You can also stir it into green tea, black tea or herbal tea, and there are more ideas on using Lion's Mane extract powder in everyday drinks and food.

Making Mushroom Tea from Dried Slices

Simmer a small handful of dried, food-grade Lion's Mane or shiitake slices in about 500 ml of water for 20 to 30 minutes. Strain, season lightly and drink warm. The flavour is more savoury and broth-like than extract tea.

How to Make Mushroom Tea Taste Better

The easiest way to improve mushroom tea is to pair it with flavours that complement its earthiness, such as ginger, cinnamon, honey or chai spices.

Fresh ginger and lemon make a bright, clean cup. Cinnamon, cardamom and a little honey turn it into a gentle chai, while vanilla and warm milk soften stronger mushrooms such as reishi.

If you prefer something creamier, a Lion's Mane latte uses the same extract with frothed milk. Matcha and chai lattes also blend well with a serve of Lion's Mane powder.

Start with one serve and adjust the flavourings before changing anything else. Lion's Mane has a subtle taste, so most people find the first cup far milder than they expected.

What May Mushroom Tea Support?

Lion's Mane tea may support a balanced daily routine, and Lion's Mane is often researched for cognitive support, although the human evidence is still early.

A recent systematic review of Lion's Mane supplements found some encouraging results alongside clear limits, including small trial sizes and different preparations across studies. Much of the wider research has been carried out in laboratories and animals.

Mushroom beta-glucans are another area of interest and are widely studied, with results that depend on species, extract and amount. The fair takeaway is that mushroom tea is a pleasant, caffeine-free ritual that may support your routine, not a treatment for any condition.

Is It Safe to Drink Mushroom Tea Every Day?

For most healthy adults, a daily cup of culinary or functional mushroom tea made at the label serve is generally well tolerated.

Follow the serve on the label, which is 1 g for Xotic's powder or two 300 mg capsules, and do not exceed it. Some people notice mild digestive discomfort at first, and anyone with a mushroom allergy should avoid it. The common Lion's Mane side effects are worth reading before you start.

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or managing a health condition, speak with your doctor first. Only ever brew mushrooms bought as food-grade products from a trusted supplier, never wild-picked mushrooms you cannot identify with certainty.

Making a Mushroom Tea for Your Brand or Café?

For a café menu or a packaged tea, you need a consistent extract, full documentation and a reliable supply. Check the extract ratio, solubility in hot water, and a current COA covering beta-glucans, heavy metals and microbial testing.

Xotic supplies 1 kg and 5 kg bulk extract and offers white and private label Lion's Mane. White label places our established powder or capsules under your brand, while private label covers your own blend, formulation or packaging, usually with higher MOQs and longer lead times. Requesting samples first helps you test flavour and solubility in your own recipe.

Getting Started with Mushroom Tea

Mushroom tea is a simple, caffeine-free drink when made with functional mushrooms such as Lion's Mane, and extract powder makes it quick.

Try Xotic's Lion's Mane extract powder for your first cup, or choose capsules for convenience. Brands and cafés can ask about bulk, white label or private label supply.

FAQs

1. What does mushroom tea do to your body?

Mushroom tea made from functional mushrooms such as Lion's Mane provides compounds like beta-glucans that are widely studied. Lion's Mane is often researched for cognitive support, and reishi is traditionally used as a relaxing evening tea. The human evidence is still early, so treat mushroom tea as a pleasant daily ritual that may support your routine.

2. Is it safe to drink mushroom tea every day?

For most healthy adults, a daily cup of functional mushroom tea at the label serve is generally well tolerated. Stick to the recommended serve, avoid it if you have a mushroom allergy, and speak with your doctor first if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or managing a health condition.

3. What is the healthiest mushroom tea?

There is no single healthiest mushroom tea, because each species has a different research profile. A good choice is one made from a clearly labelled fruiting body extract with published lab results and no fillers. Lion's Mane is popular for its mild flavour and its links to cognitive support research.

4. Does mushroom tea have caffeine?

Mushroom tea made only from functional mushrooms is naturally caffeine free. Lion's Mane, reishi and chaga contain no caffeine. Caffeine only appears if the tea is blended with black tea, green tea, matcha or coffee, so check the ingredient list on any ready-made blend if you want to avoid it.

5. Is Lion's Mane tea psychedelic?

No. Lion's Mane is a culinary and functional mushroom that is not psychedelic and will not make you high. It is sold openly as a food and supplement ingredient. Mushroom tea made with Lion's Mane, reishi, chaga or cordyceps is a non-psychedelic drink, and this article does not cover psychedelic mushrooms.

6. Can you use fresh mushrooms to make tea?

Yes, fresh culinary mushrooms such as shiitake or Lion's Mane can be simmered into a savoury tea, although dried slices give a stronger flavour. Simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, then strain. Only use food-grade mushrooms from a trusted source, and never brew wild mushrooms you cannot identify with certainty.