Don’t be alarmed by the title of this post. Mushrooms – yes, as in fungi – are on the radar for top wellness trends and for good reason! Select mushroom varieties have been termed “medicinal” for their adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and immune-enhancing properties. These more exotic mushrooms found natively in Asia are becoming increasingly more available in dried, liquid extract or in capsule form. So why not reap the benefits and start adding them to your wellness routine? I promise you that this Medicinal Mushroom Latte is not just a “taste-trend” but a nourishing wellness blend that you will actually enjoy – and want to keep around!
Medicinal Mushrooms
Mushrooms have been around for centuries and widely used in alternative medicine practices. However, it has not been until more recently that these mushrooms and their nutrient compounds have been (and continue to be) studied. These compounds that give the mushroom their potent healing qualities are their polysaccharides, which include letinan, beta-glucans, and triterpenoids. These compounds have promising immune-enhancing, cardiovascular-protective properties, anticancer and antibacterial properties that work along side other sterols, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to create a powerful adaptogen.
An adaptogen is a substance that increases the body’s ability to manage stress. They respond to our individual systems, helping us restore balance, manage stress and keep our hormones in check. Pretty amazing, right?
Types of Medicinal Mushrooms
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Cordyceps
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Chaga
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Reishi
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Shiitake
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Maitake
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Turkey Tail
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King Oyster
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Lion’s Mane
Where to buy medicinal mushrooms
Fortunately, these powders are coming more readily available, but I find the easiest and most convenient way to purchase is online. You can buy the mushroom powders as blends of multiple varieties or on their own. Some of my favorites can be found here: Sunpotion and Moon Juice, Four Sigmatic and Om (previously Mushroom Matrix).
As for this wellness tonic, it’s a blend of medicinal mushroom powders, warming spices and other health boosting ingredients like maca and MCT oil (or coconut oil) steamed together in cashew milk. Blending the warm liquid in a high-speed blender turns it into a delicious frothy beverage. As for taste, the mushrooms give a slight earthiness but it is balanced out by the natural sweetness of the cashew milk, the cinnamon and the malty-flavor of the maca powder. If you need more sweetness a few drops of stevia or a drizzle of honey works perfectly. I promise this immune-boosting latte will be the drink you’ll want to keep sipping on throughout these cold months.
Medicinal Mushroom Latte
A warm, creamy tonic made with medicinal mushrooms and other ingredients like maca and MCT oil. The foam comes from homemade cashew milk and the MCT oil or coconut oil emulsifying with the other ingredients. It’s not necessary but highly recommend.
Serves 1
Ingredients:
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1 cup cashew milk
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1 tsp mushroom powder (reishi, shiitake, chaga, cordyceps, etc or blend)
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½ tsp maca powder
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¼ tsp cinnamon
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1-2 drops of stevia or 1 tsp honey or sweetener of your choice (optional)
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1 tsp MCT oil or coconut oil (optional, but recommended)
Instructions:
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In a small sauce pan, heat all ingredients to a simmer.
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Transfer the liquid to a blender and blend starting on low and working up to high for 1 minute, until foamy.
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Pour into a mug and enjoy hot!
Make sure to follow Nourished by Nutrition on Instagram. If you make this recipe tag #nourishedbynutriton so I can see what you have made and feature you!
[…] non dairy milk, natural sweetener, cinnamon and up to your taste: either ginger, or vanilla bean. Medicinal Mushroom Latte. On hearing mushroom you might think of the dinner rather than a drink, but medicinal mushrooms are […]
Ok this was delicious. I do reishi in warm milk with a little stevia sometimes and it’s palatable but not great, so I googled it to see if anyone did it better. This tastes like a creamy hot horchata! You can’t taste the disgusting reishi powder at all! I am amazed.
Btw I used the almond breeze unsweetened coconut-almond blend. I used an electric milk frother I got on Amazon, and it frothed it up just fine without the MCT oil. It heats and froths at the same time so I recommend if you like lattes
I’m so happy you found this recipe and are enjoying it! It’s seriously one of my favorites. I’ve been looking into milk frothers so I don’t have to pull out my Vitamix every time. I love the idea of an electric one that heats and froths! Which one do you have?
Great recipe!!! Loved it
Aubrey! I’m so happy you loved it! I appreciate you taking the time to drop by and leave some feedback. xx, Jessica
[…] Mushroom Latte […]
[…] you want to learn more about adaptogens be sure to check out my Medicinal Mushroom Latte, where you can get to know the different variety of adaptogenic mushrooms and their health […]
[…] G. Sessile, and G. Curtsii and all of have a bitter taste. Nevertheless you’ll find recipes for reishi lattes, chocolate truffles, and even reishi coconut smoothies on the […]
This mushroom latte looks great. the recipe is unique and i was looking to try something unique.
Hi Genevia, I’m so happy you came across it! Give it a try and let me know what you think. It’s one of my favorites!
[…] This article initially appeared on Nourished by Nutrition. For more from Jessica Kelley, head here. […]
[…] This article initially appeared on Nourished by Nutrition. For more from Jessica Kelley, head here. […]
[…] This article initially appeared on Nourished by Nutrition. For more from Jessica Kelley, head here. […]
[…] This article initially appeared on Nourished by Nutrition. For more from Jessica Kelley, head here. […]
[…] This article initially appeared on Nourished by Nutrition. For more from Jessica Kelley, head here. […]
[…] For more from Jessica Kelley, go to her website Nourished by Nutrition. […]
[…] Medicinal Mushroom Latte. On hearing mushroom you might think of the dinner rather than a drink, but medicinal mushrooms are adaptogens, which has has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years already, and are known for their anti-inflammatory and immune boosting properties. […]
[…] Medicinal Mushroom Latte. On hearing mushroom you might think of the dinner rather than a drink, but medicinal mushrooms are adaptogens, which has has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years already, and are known for their anti-inflammatory and immune boosting properties. […]
[…] 7. Medicinal Mushroom LatteMushrooms competence sound some-more at-home in your cooking than your drink, yet hear us out on this one. Medicinal mushrooms, that are adaptogens, have been used in normal Chinese medicine for thousands of years and are distinguished for their anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties. Don’t worry, we won’t be chopping or sautéing any mushrooms, though. You can get a far-reaching accumulation of mushrooms in powder form, that we simply stir into divert along with mixture like sweetener and coconut oil. Photo and recipe: Jessica Kelly / Nourished by Nutrition […]
[…] 7. Medicinal Mushroom Latte Mushrooms might sound more at-home in your dinner than your drink, but hear us out on this one. Medicinal mushrooms, which are adaptogens, have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years and are celebrated for their anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties. Don’t worry, you won’t be chopping or sautéing any mushrooms, though. You can get a wide variety of mushrooms in powder form, which you simply stir into milk along with ingredients like sweetener and coconut oil. Photo and recipe: Jessica Kelly / Nourished by Nutrition […]
[…] info about medicinal mushroom the all their benefits early this year, along with a recipe for my medicinal mushroom latte. That recipe uses powdered mushrooms, and while I love having the ability to make my own blends […]
ps. I LOVE the new header!! :)
Thank you, Ella!If you get your hands on so medicinal mushroom powders, I hope you try it! I promise it’s both tasty and beneficial.
Wow! This sounds super crazy BUT I would love to try it!! :)So inventive and inspiring!
Thanks for this so much :)
xoxo