Mud Wtr Mushroom Coffee Review | SolidGrounds
Summary of Mud Wtr Mushroom Coffee Review
Mud Wtr is a unique powdered beverage made from adaptogenic mushrooms like lion’s mane, reishi, cordyceps and chaga, along with cacao, masala chai spices, and a touch of caffeine. The “mud” refers to the earthy, gritty texture when mixed with liquid. Mud Wtr is touted as a healthier coffee alternative, providing natural energy without jitters due to its low caffeine content of around 30mg per serving. The taste is distinctly different from coffee or tea, with rich cacao and chai spice notes balanced by unmistakable earthiness from the mushrooms – an acquired taste some love and others dislike.
While research on the purported cognitive and immune benefits is limited, Mud Wtr contains antioxidant-rich ingredients that could provide modest boosts over time. At $40 for a 30-serving bag, it’s a premium product best suited for adventurous wellness enthusiasts seeking a novel, nutrient-packed coffee alternative experience.
Mud Wtr Review: A Healthy But Acquired Taste?
In the ever-expanding world of wellness beverages, Mud Wtr has carved out a unique niche as an earthy, mushroom-based alternative to coffee. Boasting an array of purported benefits from natural energy to immune support, this innovative drink has amassed a dedicated following. But does Mud Wtr live up to the hype? Let’s take a closer look.
What Exactly is Mud Wtr?
At its core, Mud Wtr is a powdered drink mix made from a blend of adaptogenic mushrooms like lion’s mane, reishi, cordyceps and chaga. It also contains cacao, masala chai spices like cinnamon and turmeric, and a touch of natural caffeine. The “mud” branding stems from the rich, slightly gritty texture the mushroom powder creates when mixed with liquid.
The signature Mud Wtr “Rise” variety packs over 2,000mg of those functional mushroom extracts into each serving. The company touts it as a healthier morning ritual to replace coffee – providing an energy boost without the jitters or crash. It’s also entirely vegan, USDA certified organic, non-GMO, gluten-free and kosher.
Taste Test: An Earthy, Spicy Blend
Getting Mud Wtr ready to drink is refreshingly simple – just add hot water and optionally any milk or milk alternative you prefer. The aroma immediately hints at the unique flavor profile with earthy, slightly bitter notes mixed with warming spices like cinnamon.
That first sip confirms Mud Wtr has a taste that’s decidedly different from coffee or tea. The rich cacao notes mingle with the chai-like spices and unmistakable earthiness from the mushroom blend. Depending on your palate, you may find it inviting or somewhat off-putting initially. It has a heartier, thicker mouthfeel compared to a standard cup of coffee.
For coffee purists, Mud Wtr may be a hard sell as the flavor is pretty far removed from the roasted, bitter profile they’re accustomed to. But those looking to expand their beverage horizons may be intrigued by this unique and arguably more layered taste experience.
Does It Actually Provide Clean Energy?
One of Mud Wtr’s key claims to fame is providing “clean, jitter-free energy” thanks to its mushroom adaptogen base. And anecdotally, many drinkers do report feeling more consistently energized and focused over a longer period compared to the peaks and crashes often associated with coffee.
The caffeine content in a serving of Original Mud Wtr is around 30mg – just 1/7th of what you’d find in an average cup of coffee. So while you likely won’t get quite the same kick as downing an espresso shot, the energy does seem to manifest more subtly and sustainably.
The alleged cognitive and immune benefits are harder to qualify, with mixed research on the effectiveness of medicinal mushrooms so far. But the antioxidant-rich ingredients like cacao, turmeric and cinnamon may provide anti-inflammatory effects.
While Mud Wtr may not be a magic potion, there’s reason to believe the smart mushroom-herb formulation could provide modest boosts in several areas over time when consumed regularly.
Assessing the Cost and Value
At around $40 for a 30-serving bag, Mud Wtr is admittedly pricier than your average coffee or tea per serving. Whether that cost is justified depends on your priorities and budget when it comes to wellness-focused consumables.
For those simply looking to cut costs on their morning beverages, there are certainly more economical options out there. But if you’re interested in functional fungi and adaptogens and don’t mind the acquired taste, Mud Wtr could be worthwhile investment as part of a holistic healthy routine.
The reviews across sites like Amazon and Reddit reveal a very love-it-or-hate-it response in terms of taste and perceivable benefits. But those who do fall into the “love it” camp often rave about Mud Wtr’s ability to provide balanced energy and mental clarity that coffee alone fails to deliver.
Comparing the Mushroom Coffee Competition
As the adaptogen coffee space continues growing, Mud Wtr faces increasing competition from other mushroom-based beverage brands like Renude, Four Sigmatic, Mud/Wtr and more. Most take a relatively similar formulation approach using functional fungi like lion’s mane, reishi and cordyceps.
Where Mud Wtr stands out is the more complex spice blend giving it a chai-like flavor profile. Some other brands lean more into the straight mushroom earthiness or try to replicate a more conventional coffee vibe.
The premium pricing between these competitors is fairly comparable. But Mud Wtr’s ultra-chill, hippie-esque branding may help it retain an edge and appeal to the core wellness enthusiast crowd that was first drawn to the brand.
Final Verdict: Best For Adventurous Coffee Alternatives
At the end of the day, Mud Wtr isn’t a like-for-like coffee replacement nor does it make such claims. It’s very much its own distinct beverage experience – for better or worse depending on your tastes.
For those craving a more accessible, smooth transition away from their coffee habits, other mushroom-based brands attempting to mimic that roasty flavor may be preferable entry points. Mud Wtr’s bold taste is very much an acquired one.
But for the more adventurous wellness seekers looking to shake up their morning routines, Mud Wtr is absolutely worth a try. The formulation packs an impressive nutrient punch of adaptogens and antioxidants. And while the effects are relatively subtle, the steady energy and focus it provides could be a sustainable upgrade over the caffeine-fueled rollercoaster java can induce.
Just be prepared for a flavor journey that will likely be off-putting at first before potentially growing on you over time. As the saying goes – after drinking enough mud, you may just acquire a taste for Earth.
FAQs and Answers
How long does a bag of Mud Wtr last?
Mud Wtr is sold in bags containing 30 servings. So a single bag would theoretically last 30 days if consuming one serving per day.
However, the duration a bag lasts can vary depending on individual consumption habits. Some people may drink Mud Wtr just once a day as a coffee substitute, while others may have multiple mugs. The more servings consumed per day, the faster a 30-serving bag will be depleted.
A standard 30-serving bag may last approximately 3-5 weeks before needing to purchase more. But consumption rate is the biggest variable in how long one bag lasts for an individual.
Are there any noted side effects or health risks?
Mushroom Adaptogens
The main ingredients are adaptogenic mushrooms like lion’s mane, reishi, cordyceps, and chaga. These mushrooms are generally considered safe for consumption in moderate amounts, though some people could potentially have allergic reactions.
Cacao
Cacao is also a main ingredient, providing antioxidant benefits. However, cacao does naturally contain small amounts of caffeine and theobromine, which are stimulants. Too much could potentially cause side effects like jitters, headaches, or digestive issues in sensitive individuals.
Spices
The spices used like turmeric, cinnamon, and masala chai spices are common culinary ingredients that are typically well-tolerated, unless someone has a specific spice allergy or sensitivity.
Caffeine Content
While low compared to coffee, the caffeine content of about 30mg per serving could still potentially cause side effects like anxiety, insomnia, or increased heart rate if someone is very caffeine sensitive.
Overall, for most healthy adults, Mud Wtr’s combination of mushrooms, herbs, and low caffeine content likely poses very low risk of serious side effects when consumed in moderation. However, those with mushroom allergies, caffeine sensitivities, or other specific dietary restrictions may want to exercise more caution or speak to their doctor first before adding it to their diet regularly.
How does the caffeine amount compare to other popular beverages?
A serving of Mud Wtr’s Original “Rise” blend contains around 30mg of caffeine, which is described as 1/7th the amount of caffeine found in an average cup of coffee.
To provide some more context, here’s how that caffeine amount compares to some other popular beverages:
Coffee (8 oz):
- Regular brewed coffee: 95-200 mg
- Espresso shot (1 oz): 63 mg
Tea (8 oz serving):
- Black tea: 47 mg
- Green tea: 28 mg
- Oolong tea: 37 mg
Soda (12 oz can):
- Coca-Cola: 34 mg
- Pepsi: 38 mg
- Mountain Dew: 54 mg
Energy Drinks (16 oz):
- Red Bull: 80 mg
- Monster: 160 mg
- Rockstar: 160 mg
So at 30mg per serving, Mud Wtr falls somewhere between green tea and a typical cola in terms of caffeine content. It provides a modest caffeinated boost, but much less than coffee, energy drinks, or even some black and oolong teas.
For those looking to cut way back on caffeine compared to their current coffee intake, Mud Wtr could be an effective step-down option. But it still provides a little extra pep compared to being fully caffeine-free.
Is Mud Wtr safe for kids or during pregnancy/breastfeeding?
We can make some assessments based on the ingredients:
For Kids:
While the mushroom adaptogens like lion’s mane and reishi are generally considered safe for adults, there is limited research on their effects and appropriate dosages for children. The small caffeine amount in Mud Wtr (30mg per serving) may also be concerning for providing to kids.
Most health authorities recommend limiting or avoiding caffeine for children, as it can cause side effects like jitters, headaches, sleep issues and cardiovascular effects. The potential risks likely outweigh any purported benefits for kids.
For Pregnant/Breastfeeding Women:
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, it’s generally recommended to limit caffeine intake, as some crosses the placenta or enters breastmilk. The low caffeine level in Mud Wtr may be okay in moderation, but exceeding 200mg per day is typically not advised.
More concerning may be the lack of safety research on consuming mushroom adaptogens like those in Mud Wtr during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Many health organizations recommend avoiding supplements with limited safety data during these critical periods.
Overall, due to the caffeine content and lack of research around some of the mushroom ingredients, it’s probably best for pregnant women and nursing mothers to avoid Mud Wtr, or at minimum, consult their doctors first before adding it to their diet.
For both kids and pregnant/breastfeeding women, the potential risks of Mud Wtr likely outweigh any functional benefits until more thorough safety research is conducted.
What is the best way to order and try Mud Wtr?
One-Time Purchase
For those just wanting to test out Mud Wtr before committing, most brands offer the ability to purchase one bag or container as a one-off order. This allows you to try the product without signing up for a subscription initially.
Subscribe & Save
Many wellness brands incentivize subscribing by offering discounted pricing on recurring orders, usually around 10-25% off. This could be a good option if you find you enjoy Mud Wtr and want convenient auto-deliveries.
Starter Kits/Samplers
Some companies sell smaller starter kit sizes or samplers with just a few servings. This gives you a chance to try different flavors or varieties before buying full-size bags.
Free Samples
Mud Wtr’s website or other third-party retailers may occasionally offer free samples you can request to get a taste before purchasing.
Return/Exchange Policy
It’s wise to check the return or exchange policy when first ordering in case you really dislike the taste or have any other issues. Most reputable brands will accept returns within a certain window.
Purchasing Direct vs Third-Party
You can likely order Mud Wtr directly through their website, but it may also be sold on e-commerce sites like Amazon. Check both sources to compare pricing and subscribe options.
The best way ultimately comes down to your flavor preferences and budget. Start with a one-time smaller purchase or request samples. If you enjoy it, then look into subscriptions or larger bulk orders to maximize savings.
