Mushroom Matcha: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Blend

Welcome to the world of Mushroom Matcha!

You're most likely here because you've already heard about, or been doing research on mushroom matcha. This is still a pretty new type of functional beverage, but more and more people are taking the leap and using it every day.

Mushroom Matcha can be an incredible blend that combines the vibrant energy and health benefits of matcha tea with the amazing benefits you can get from medicinal mushrooms. But, choosing the right brand is really important as there is a wide range of quality on the market.

We're going to explore the ins and outs of choosing the right Mushroom Matcha for you, and we promise it will be a fungi-filled adventure!

What Makes Mushroom Matcha So Special?

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of selecting the right Mushroom Matcha, let's talk about what makes this fusion drink so special. Mushroom Matcha is a unique blend of premium matcha green tea powder and various medicinal mushrooms. This powerful combination not only creates a delightful flavor profile but also packs a punch of health benefits.

Combining these two powerhouses can give you a wide variety of potential benefits:

• Improved health and immunity
• Improved focus
• Decreased stress and a sense of balance / calm
• Reduced inflammation
• Long lasting energy
• And more...

Matcha, the star of the show, is a finely ground green tea powder that boasts a higher concentration of nutrients compared to traditional green tea.

It's rich in antioxidants, amino acids, and chlorophyll, offering a natural energy boost without the jitters.

On the other hand, medicinal mushrooms like reishi, lion's mane, and chaga bring their unique properties to the mix. These fungi have been used in traditional medicine for centuries and have been studied fo their support to immune function, brain health, and overall well-being.

Want to learn more about the benefits of mushroom matcha? Read our deep dive here.

How to Choose the Right Mushroom Matcha

Now that we know what makes mushroom matcha so exceptional, let's jump into the essential factors to consider when choosing the perfect blend for your taste and health preferences.

1. Quality is Key

When it comes to mushroom matcha, quality is paramount. You want to ensure you're getting the best possible blend to fully enjoy its benefits. 

Look for reputable brands that source high-quality matcha from Japan, where the tea culture has been perfected over centuries. Additionally, check if the medicinal mushrooms are organically grown and properly processed to retain their potent properties.

Below we've gone much deeper into what to look for specifically when it comes to the matcha and mushrooms specifically. 

2. Mushroom Variety: Pick Your Power

Different mushrooms offer different health benefits, so it's good to choose a blend that aligns with your wellness goals.

For instance, reishi mushrooms are renowned for their calming properties and immune support, making them a great choice for relaxation and stress relief.

Lion's mane mushrooms, on the other hand, are believed to enhance cognitive function and memory, making them an excellent pick for mental clarity.

In Wonder Matcha we've focused on lion's mane mushroom for focus, and ashwagandha (an adaptogen) for balance and stress management. 

3. Flavor Profile: A Matter of Taste

The flavor of Mushroom Matcha can vary based on the mushroom blend and the quality of matcha used.

Some blends may have a more pronounced earthy taste due to specific mushroom varieties, while others might be smoother and sweeter.

Most people prefer the flavor of the matcha to be more pronounced than the earthiness of the matcha. If that's important to you, you'll probably want to select a mushroom matcha with more potent mushroom extracts which give you the benefits without over powering the flavor of the matcha. 

You'll see some brands using up to 3000 of grams or more of "mushroom" powders. Most of these are typically less effective, grain grown mycelium powders and they tend to overpower the flavor of the matcha. 

4. Additives and Fillers: Keep It Natural

Look out for mushroom matcha blends that contain unnecessary additives or fillers.

Ideally, the ingredients should be straightforward, with matcha and mushrooms as the primary components. Avoid blends with grains, artificial flavors or sweeteners. 

You're likely to see blends that contain:

• Milk powders: oat milk or coconut milk
• Sugar or sugar alcohol like erythritol
• Mushrooms grown on grain like oats or rice, these blends will contain a substantial amount of grain filler

There's nothing wrong necessarily with trying a "latte blend" with milk powders, but we usually prefer to avoid them. It's so much more flexible to get a blend without these additives and then make a latte on your own at home with a higher quality milk or plant milk. 

How to Select the Right Quality Matcha

When it comes to mushroom matcha, the quality of the matcha used is just as crucial as the choice of medicinal mushrooms. Here's a closer look at how to ensure you're getting the best matcha for your blend:

1. Ceremonial Grade vs. Culinary Grade Matcha

The first step in choosing the right quality matcha is to understand the differences between ceremonial grade and culinary grade matcha. Ceremonial grade matcha is the highest quality and is typically used in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies.

It is made from the youngest tea leaves, which are hand-picked, deveined, and ground into an incredibly fine powder.

Ceremonial grade matcha has a vibrant green color, a smooth and velvety texture, and a delicate, subtly sweet flavor. 

On the other hand, culinary grade matcha is made from slightly older tea leaves and may include stems and veins, resulting in a slightly bitter and more robust flavor. While culinary grade matcha is still of good quality, it can be bitter and is best suited for culinary purposes such as baking and smoothies.

When selecting matcha for your mushroom matcha blend, opt for ceremonial grade if you want to experience the true essence of matcha's flavor and aroma. 

Read more here about what makes matcha so special compared to coffee.

2. Origin and Sourcing

To ensure the quality and authenticity of your matcha, pay attention to its origin and sourcing. The best matcha comes from Japan, where the art of cultivating and processing matcha has been perfected over centuries.

Look for matcha that is sourced directly from reputable Japanese tea farms and producers. A trustworthy brand will often provide information about the region in Japan where the matcha is grown and processed, as well as details about the tea farmers and their traditional practices.

For example, Wonder Matcha is sourced from farmers in Uji, Japan which use traditional growing and processing techniques. 

Additionally, seek out matcha that is stone-ground, as this method preserves the tea's nutrients and flavor profile better than machine grinding. This is also a sign that the quality of the tea will be much higher. 

How to Select the Right Quality Mushroom Supplement

In Mushroom Matcha, the choice of mushroom supplement is equally important as the quality of matcha. To ensure you're getting the most potent and beneficial medicinal mushrooms, consider the following factors:

1. Fruiting Body Mushroom Extracts vs. Mycelium Powders

One critical aspect to look for in mushroom matcha is the type of mushroom extract used. There are two main types: fruiting body extracts and mycelium powders.

Fruiting body extracts are derived from the actual mushrooms that you see above the ground. They are rich in bioactive compounds and nutrients, making them the most effective and sought-after form of medicinal mushrooms.

Fruiting body extracts undergo a thorough extraction process to concentrate their beneficial properties.

Mycelium powders, on the other hand, are grown on a grain-based substrate and contain the root-like structure of the mushroom known as mycelium. While mycelium powders can be less expensive to produce, they often lack the same level of bioactive compounds found in fruiting body extracts.

When choosing Mushroom Matcha, prioritize blends that use fruiting body extracts to maximize the health benefits of the medicinal mushrooms. The fruiting body extracts provide a higher concentration of compounds like beta-glucans and triterpenoids, which support the immune system and overall wellness.

Many big brands will use a combination of mycelium and fruiting body, but do not tell how much of each you're getting. This is usually a sign that they're using a lower quality mushroom supplement and not putting the mushroom through the critical extraction step. 

2. Certified Organic and Third-Party Tested

Ensure that the mushroom supplement used in your mushroom matcha is certified organic and has undergone third-party testing for quality and purity. Organic mushrooms are grown without the use of harmful pesticides and chemicals, ensuring a clean and safe product.

Third-party testing is essential to verify the authenticity and potency of the mushroom extract. Reputable brands can provide you certificates of analysis (COAs) from independent laboratories, confirming the presence of active compounds and absence of contaminants.

By choosing certified organic and third-party tested mushroom supplements, you can rest assured that you're getting a high-quality and genuine product.

FAQ: Mushroom Matcha 

Q: Can I consume Mushroom Matcha if I'm sensitive to caffeine?
A: This will depend on the person, but many people who are sensitive to caffeine are ok with mushroom matcha. Mushroom Matcha generally contains less caffeine than a standard cup of coffee. The caffeine in matcha is also a slower acting caffeine and doesn't typically give people jitters like coffee does. 

However, it's always a good idea to check the label or product description for the caffeine content, as it may vary between different blends. As always, talk to a health care professional if you're unsure how it will impact you.

Q: Is Mushroom Matcha suitable for vegetarians and vegans?
A: Yes, most Mushroom Matcha blends are vegan-friendly. Since the primary ingredients are matcha and mushrooms, there are typically no animal-derived components.

There are some mushroom matcha blends out there that use collagen or other animal proteins. Wonder Matcha is completely plant based. 

Q: Can I mix Mushroom Matcha with milk or other liquids?
A: Of course! Mushroom Matcha can be mixed with various liquids like hot water, milk, plant-based milk, or even added to smoothies. Experiment with different combinations to find your favorite way to enjoy it.

Wrapping Up

And there you have it!

We've dived deep into the nuances of mushrooms and matcha, discovering the key factors in choosing the perfect one for you.

Remember to prioritize the quality of your matcha and mushroom supplement, consider flavor, and seek out a supplement without additives. 

So, whether you're seeking an an energy boost, a mental clarity enhancer, or a health promoter, Mushroom Matcha has something for everyone.

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Try Wonder Matcha Mushroom Matcha

We've worked tirelessly to create a mushroom matcha blend unlike anything else on the market. 

Nothing like this existed, meeting our standard for quality and taste across the board. So we created it. 

Wonder Matcha is has 4.7 stars and is gathering thousands of daily drinkers. 

Have any questions? Drop us a comment!