MUD\WTR has turned a niche idea, a spiced mushroom drink instead of coffee, into a mainstream ritual. The Original blend has about 35 mg of caffeine, roughly a third of a typical coffee, and every blend is USDA Organic. It costs more per cup than coffee or tea, and the earthy taste is not for everyone.
What we like
- Original blend has about 35 mg caffeine per serving
- USDA Organic, vegan and Whole30 approved on core blends
- Lion's mane, chaga, reishi and cordyceps with California-grown, third-party tested mushrooms
- Caffeine-free options for afternoons and evenings
- Certified B Corporation with a 30-day money-back guarantee
Keep in mind
- Around $2 per cup, more than home-brewed coffee or tea
- Earthy, spiced taste takes some getting used to
- Still contains caffeine unless you choose Rest or Turmeric
- Benefits of functional mushrooms are not firmly established
MUD\WTR was founded in 2018 by Shane Heath, a former Silicon Valley creative who wanted a morning drink that gave him energy without the jitters and crashes he associated with coffee. The result was a powdered blend of organic cacao, masala chai, turmeric, cinnamon and four functional mushrooms, with a fraction of the caffeine of a cup of coffee.
The brand has since grown into a full lineup that includes a mushroom coffee, matcha, a caffeine-free evening blend and protein. We looked at how each blend differs, how much caffeine you actually get, how to prepare it and whether it is worth the price.
What is in the Original blend
The Original, sometimes called the cacao and chai blend, is still the product most people mean when they talk about MUD\WTR. Its ingredients include:
- Organic cacao for a rich, chocolatey base.
- Masala chai, including organic black tea, which supplies the caffeine.
- Turmeric and cinnamon for warmth and spice.
- Four functional mushrooms: lion's mane, chaga, reishi and cordyceps.
There is no added sugar, and the blend is USDA Organic, vegan, gluten-free and Whole30 approved. One tablespoon makes a cup. MUD\WTR says its mushrooms are grown in California and third-party tested, and its blends are packed in the US.
The company is also a certified B Corporation, a designation that assesses social and environmental performance across a business. Combined with organic certification across its blends, that gives MUD\WTR stronger sourcing credentials than many newer mushroom drink brands, which often publish little about where their mushrooms come from or whether they use fruiting bodies, mycelium or both.
Caffeine compared
The biggest practical difference from coffee is caffeine. Approximate amounts per serving:
- Original: about 35 mg
- Coffee blend: about 45 mg
- Matcha blend: about 55 mg
- Hot Chocolate: barely caffeinated
- Turmeric and Rest: caffeine-free
For context, a standard cup of brewed coffee typically has around 90 to 100 mg, and a large coffee-shop brew can exceed 200 mg. Switching to MUD\WTR is therefore a substantial reduction for most people, which is why many users report fewer afternoon crashes and better sleep. Those effects are largely about caffeine reduction; the role of the mushrooms is less clear.
See MUD\WTR's current range
The wider lineup
Coffee
A real coffee blended with functional mushrooms, for people who want coffee flavor with lower caffeine.
Matcha
A green tea option with slightly more caffeine than the Original, and Whole30 approved.
Turmeric
A caffeine-free golden blend for afternoons.
Rest
A caffeine-free evening blend designed as a wind-down ritual.
Hot Chocolate and Nourish
A barely caffeinated hot chocolate, plus Nourish Chocolate and Nourish Vanilla, which provide 25 g of organic protein per serving.
Mushroom Boost and seasonal flavors
Mushroom Boost can be added to your existing drinks, and limited editions such as a Pumpkin Spice Latte appear seasonally.
How to make it taste good
MUD\WTR is earthier and grainier than coffee, and preparation makes a big difference. A few tips:
- Use a frother or blender. A handheld frother is the single biggest upgrade, which is why the brand includes one with many starter kits and memberships.
- Start with a little hot water to make a paste, then top up with hot water or warm milk.
- Add a splash of oat milk or a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup if the spice is too strong.
- Give it a week. Many converts say they disliked the first few cups and now prefer it to coffee, especially once they found their preferred milk.
Price and value
A 30-serving tin of the Original costs about $60 at full price, or roughly $2 per cup. That is more than brewing coffee or tea at home but much less than a daily café drink. Starter kits are frequently discounted by 40% or more and often include extras such as a frother or a bonus bag. A membership subscription lowers the regular price further.
The 30-day money-back guarantee makes the first purchase relatively low-risk, and the shelf-stable powder does not need refrigeration.
Value also depends on how you use it. If MUD\WTR replaces a daily café latte, it saves money. If it replaces a home-brewed coffee that costs well under a dollar a cup, you are paying a premium for the ingredients, the ritual and the lower caffeine. Many people settle into a hybrid routine, keeping coffee for one or two mornings a week and drinking MUD\WTR the rest of the time, which stretches a tin further and makes the cost easier to justify.
Who should try MUD\WTR
MUD\WTR is a good fit for coffee drinkers who feel jittery, anxious or crash in the afternoon; people trying to improve their sleep by cutting caffeine; and those who enjoy chai and spiced drinks. The caffeine-free Rest and Turmeric blends also make it useful for people who want a warm evening ritual.
It is less suited to people who love the taste of coffee and want a straight substitute, and to anyone on a tight budget. If you want full-caffeine coffee with mushrooms, Laird Superfood's PERFORM is closer to normal coffee; if you prefer a cleaner green-tea lift, Jade Leaf matcha offers similar caffeine at a lower price.
Our verdict
MUD\WTR is a thoughtfully made, organic coffee alternative that delivers its main benefit, a big cut in caffeine, in a ritual many people come to love. The mushrooms are an interesting addition, but buy it for the lower caffeine and the flavor rather than for dramatic health claims. If you give it a fair trial with a frother and warm milk for a week or two, you will quickly know whether it belongs in your morning.
MUD\WTR products at a glance
| Product | What it is | Price |
|---|---|---|
| MUD\WTR Original | Organic cacao, masala chai, turmeric, cinnamon and four mushrooms, about 35 mg caffeine. | about $60 per 30-serving tin |
| MUD\WTR Coffee | Coffee blended with functional mushrooms, about 45 mg caffeine. | — |
| MUD\WTR Matcha | A matcha blend with about 55 mg caffeine. | — |
| MUD\WTR Rest | A caffeine-free evening wind-down blend. | — |
| Nourish Chocolate | A protein blend with 25 g of organic protein per serving. | — |
Prices as listed on the brand's site at the time of our research and may change. Check the store for current pricing.
MUD\WTR FAQs
How much caffeine is in MUD\WTR?
The Original has about 35 mg per serving, the Coffee blend about 45 mg and the Matcha blend about 55 mg. Rest and Turmeric are caffeine-free.
Does MUD\WTR taste like coffee?
Not really. The Original tastes like a spiced, earthy chai with cacao. The Coffee blend is closer to coffee.
Is MUD\WTR organic?
Yes. MUD\WTR says all its blends are USDA Certified Organic, and its core blends are vegan and Whole30 approved.
Who founded MUD\WTR?
MUD\WTR was founded in 2018 by Shane Heath. The company is a certified B Corporation.
Does MUD\WTR have a guarantee?
Yes. MUD\WTR offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Coffee drinkers who want steadier energy with much less caffeine
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