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Guys, I need to share something with you…I don’t like “keto coffee.” You know the one, with butter and coconut oil that is branded under a different name I won’t write here. The one that rhymes with “mullet moof.” I’ve only tried vegan versions (and maybe that was part of the problem), but I can conclusively say that blending a bunch of oil with coffee just isn’t my jam.
I do, however, really love (LOVE) lattes, and every so often, I decide to treat myself in the morning by actually making the effort to turn on the blender whip one up. Because I like to try and cram as much nutrition into my meals as possible, I like to add in more than just coffee and milk to these treats. Lately, I’ve elevating my morning lattes with the addition of my new favorite superfood: mushrooms. Don’t click away just yet – I promise you won’t taste them!
Mushrooms have been used in many cultures across the world for thousands of years, both as a food source and medicinally. Now, mushroom coffees have been popping up more and more, and with good reason. Mushroom coffee (it’s really actually coffee with mushroom extracts) contain a ton of antioxidants, while containing less caffeine and acid than traditional coffee. Since I’ve started drinking mushroom coffee, I’ve dramatically decreased my coffee consumption, while still feeling energized and focused!
While there are many types of medicinal mushrooms, today we’re going to focus on just two: lion’s mane and chaga. We’ll also take a look at the other superfoods present in these low carb vegan lattes.
Chaga: Chaga mushrooms have demonstrated potential cancer-fighting properties (1), immune system boosting properties (2), antiviral properties (3, 4), anti-inflammatory properties (5), and the ability to improve endurance (6). Chaga grows on birch trees, but cannot be eaten in it’s raw form and instead must be made into an extract.
Lion’s Mane: This powerful brain-booster has been shown to increase neuronal growth (7), demonstrates powerful cancer fighting properties (8), can prevent the increase of LDL (“bad cholsterol”) (9), and might even aid in the management of diabetes (10). There’s really so much more going on with Lion’s Mane, that it’s worth reading this article on the matter.
Hemp: Yup, hemp is loaded with nutrition, too! Not only are hemp seeds a lovely vegan source of omega-3 fatty acids, they also contain quite an array of amino acids (including all of the essential ones!), and plenty of fiber.
Matcha: Matcha, a finely powdered green tea, is the best source of catechins (11), which can fight fat (12), help manage and reduce type II diabetes symptoms (13), and aid in alertness (14), among a host of other awesome effects.
Notes on Making Low Carb Vegan Superfood Lattes:
- The matcha Latte was inspired by Ari, who works at Four Sigmatic. He recommended I give the lion’s mane matcha combo a try, and I’m so glad I did!
- Both of these recipes use a super rich, homemade hemp milk as the base. You could substitute this for the store-bought nondairy milk of your choosing, but keep in mind you’ll have to adjust the macros.
- I like adding hot water right to the blender because it’s faster, but you could easily blend everything cold and then heat in on a stovetop.
- No, these aren’t “lattes” in the traditional espresso-and-steamed-milk sense of the word, but they sure do embody the spirit!
- These need to be blended very well, so for at least a solid minute, to be sure that there are no chunks of hemp seeds remaining, and the latte is smooth and creamy!
Low Carb Hemp Milk Matcha Latte (With Lion’s Mane)
- 24 ounces of hot water
- 3 tbsp hemp hearts
- 2 packets Lion’s Mane Elixir
- 2 tsp matcha powder
- stevia, to taste
Blend all ingredients together until smooth, and enjoy! For a minty kick, add in a few drops of peppermint extract before blending!
Yield: 2 servings
Nutrition – Calories: 90 | Net Carbs: 1g | Fiber: 2.5g | Fat: 6.5g | Protein: 5g
Low Carb Hemp Milk Latte (With Lion’s Mane & Chaga)
- 8 ounces of hot water
- 1 tbsp hemp hearts
- 1 packet Mushroom Coffee with Lion’s Mane & Chaga
- stevia, to taste (or whatever else you normally put in coffee)
Blend all ingredients together until smooth, and enjoy! I like to sprinkle a little bit of cinnamon both in, and on top of my coffee-based lattes, for a nice little flavor boost!
Yield: 1 Latte
Nutrition – Calories: 67 | Net Carbs: 0g | Fiber: 1.7g | Fat: 4.3 | Protein: 3.3g
Sources:
(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4946216/
(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3774877/
(3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26182655
(4) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22462058
(5) http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378874112004771?via%3Dihub
(6) http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0254627215301266
(7) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23510212
(8) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26547693
(9) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12843656
(10) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3852124/
(11) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14518774
(12) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15640470
(13) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16618952
(14) http://www.clevelandclinicwellness.com/Features/Pages/l-theanine-pro-con.aspx
OMG! I’m so glad you did this post . I recently tried four sigmatic and I love it. I feel it gives an nutricional value to mi coffee every morning. I had always the feeling that just coffee coconut cream and mct oil can give me energy but not an immune system boost. I feel more healthy when I use four sigmatic. I hope I win the contest cuz I love this really really love this !
Awesome! I can honestly say that we are a mushroom loving family. Cancer fighting properties…. yes please! I’ve never tried these but they sound awesome. I’ve been forcing down “mullet moof” coffee for several weeks. It would be great to have an alternative!
I had no idea something so wonderful was available… I love that the “Lions Mane” Hemp is loaded with nutrition, amino acids and fiber. I’ve always wanted to learn how to make Matcha drinks and now your website has turned on the lights for me… So excited!
Thank you so much!
I had no idea something so wonderful was available… I love that the “Lions Mane” Hemp is loaded with nutrition, amino acids and fiber. I’ve always wanted to learn how to make Matcha drinks and now your website has turned on the lights for me… So excited!
Thank you so much!
My favorite thing about Chaga is that it is anti-inflammatory, which makes it a great natural remedy (and preventative) for migraines. An herbalist recently recommended it to me, but I haven’t tried it yet because I wasn’t sure how to drink it. Thank you for the recipes!
I’ve never tried it, but Lion’s Mane sounds awesome to boost my brain.
I like chaga for the anti-inflammatory properties and skin benefits. But lions mane is good more that too, plus a brain booster. 🙂
I love it’s immune boosting features and would love to try your new recipes with the mushroom coffee!
I have a box of Lion’s Mane. I love it! Gives super energy without the jitters!
I had no idea something like this existed. I’m excited to try it!
These recipes look amazing and I have never tried this product but I bet they are taste wonderful. I am a traditional coffee lover living in the coffee state of the creator of coffee lovers Seattle, WA. I would love to try something different that will bust my energy and health.
So excited to share all this info, and these awesome brands at the organic grocery store I work at, and with my yogi/ayurveda clients!!!
I can’t wait to try these drinks! I love coffee, but lately I haven’t felt the boost I did previously. I am an older lady (68?) and thinking about how to get more nutrients and green foods and beneficial herbs into my diet, too! I can’t wait to try these!
My favorite property of the Chaga is the cancer-fighting! Bowl cancer runs in my family, unfortunately, and I’ve lost several relatives to it, so I’m definitely down with putting some chaga in my guts!
Really appreciated all the info in this blog, and the coffee recipes! I have not yet had the opportunity to try Four Sigmatic mushroom coffee yet… although I’ve seen it advertised (and have saved it multiple times to my bookmarks) and have wanted to try it for ages! There was another brand of reishi mushroom coffee quite a number of years ago when my kids were little that I really loved, except that it was filled with unhealthy sugars and non-dairy creamers, so I stopped using it, since I am all about anti-nflammatory nutrition. And, although I do happen to really enjoy my own version of “mullet moof” coffee (which I make with various combinations of tea, chai, coffee, spices, ghee & coconut cream, nut milks and heavy cream)… I would really love to try the both of the mushroom kinds from Four Sigmatic. Thanks for the opportunity to win a sample box…. I will be quite thrilled if I happen to win it (I’ve never won anything before, and even small delights are wonderful! LOL). Thanks again. Have a great day!
Chaga is a superfood warrior. I love it’s advantages for you immune system!
Mullet Moof has always been an arch nemesis of mine – I tried to force it on myself before going df/vegetarian, but it always led to gastrointestinal exorcisms as opposed to the proclaimed mental super powers that it touted. No thanks. The idea of Lions Made, though, is intriguing. Mental boosts from mushrooms? Sign me up!!
I first heard of Chaga and Lion’s Mane while looking into nutritional boosters for my mother-in-law while she was undergoing cancer treatment. For myself, I need to add both to help manage diabetes and inflammation. I love mushrooms, so drinking them is another way to get them daily. I’m in!
This is the winning answer, Sherrie! I’m forwarding your email address to the Four Signmatic rep, so he can send out your mushroom coffee.
I love that you already incorporate mushrooms into your routine, and really hope it’s working. I’ve also noticed they help to control the inflammation I experience and can’t wait for you to try the coffee as well! 🙂
i love the anti-inflammatory properties chaga has
I’m a long time mushroom extract lover–I think it’s great that you’re incorporating extra nutrition into your coffee! I’ve been vegan since 1992, and low carb for about 4 years. Chaos is the best at my stage and in my life right now.
I love Chaga’s anti-inflammatory and immune boosting properties!
The superfoods
Properties!!
I haven’t tried mushroom coffee yet but I want to. I’m definitely interested in the health benefits of mushrooms.
I like that they both help to prevent cancer but I think I like that fact that Lions Mane is a brain booster.
Anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties are key qualities I’m looking for.
I’ve never tried it but hope I win so I can!