Why is functional coffee growing?
- The global functional coffee market is now valued at $4.5bn and continues to grow.
- Clinical studies show that Ashwagandha reduces stress and insomnia
- Cordyceps may improve heart and stamina health, despite few human studies
- Lion’s Mane mushroom blends support brain health and mental clarity.
- Maca and L-theanine help balance hormones and relax in adaptogenic teas
Globally, the functional coffee market now has a value of $4.5 billion, with consumers looking to combine their daily caffeine boosts with additional benefits for sleep, stress reduction, endurance and sexual function.
The demand for adaptogenic natural ingredients in coffee blends is on the rise.
Here are the five main ingredients that have been driving the current growth of functional coffee. They include mushrooms, plants, and herbs. And the benefits they claim to offer seem to be a selling point for consumers.
Ashwagandha
Evergreen shrubs are grown in subtropical and tropical climates throughout Asia, Africa, and Europe. Withania Somnifera It is known as ashwagandha in Sanskrit because the roots of this herb are said to have a horse-like smell (“ashwa”, for horse, and “gandha”, for smell).
The shrub, which is rich in phytochemicals and is used in Indian Ayurvedic medicines as an ingredient has gained popularity in the West due to its use in functional foods and drinks. Its reputation for being a stress-reliever and sleep aid have helped it gain popularity.
This claim is backed by clinical studies. In a systematic review published in 2021, seven studies found that ashwagandha can reduce anxiety and stress, regardless of whether it is extracted from its root, leaf or powdered root. The participants reported reduced sleeplessness, fatigue and serum cortisol when compared to a placebo.
As a result, the shrub is now a popular addition to functional coffees.
Free Soul’s wake blend, for instance, combines ashwagandha, Himalayan Pink Salt, and Maca in order to produce an “elevated brew”. Dirtea Coffee’s Super Blend, on the other hand, claims that its ashwagandha rich blend, along with Lion’s Mane and Chaga mushrooms, Maca powder, delivers increased energy without a crash.
Both brands claim that their rich Arabica beans help mask the slightly bitter earthy taste of concentrated plant extracts.
Cordyceps
Cordyceps’s role as the killer fungus in US television show One of US hasn’t seemed to hurt its popularity.
Cordyceps is a parasitic fungus that grows all around the world. There are over 750 different species, and 35 have shown potential benefits for health.
The most popular and well-known of these is Cordyceps sinensis You can also find out more about the following: Cordyceps militarysThe former is found in the Himalayan region at high altitudes. While the latter can be found throughout Asia, Europe, and North America, where tropical climates prevail. They have both been used in Chinese traditional medicine for centuries.
Cordyceps is said to be a healthy supplement with a flavour similar to that of chestnut mushrooms. Its health benefits include better athletic performance, skin anti-aging properties, and a more robust heart. In a 2019 study, it was found to reduce oxidative stresses, which, when accumulated, can lead to heart conditions. This study and others are animal studies. There is less research about its effect on humans.
It hasn’t deterred functional coffee blends from adding cordyceps to their mix. Freshly Fermented in the UK, for instance, claims that its Organic Cordyceps Coffee boosts energy, stamina and mental clarity, and can also improve immune function.
Lion’s Mane
Lion’s Mane mushroom and its apoptogenic properties are making waves in Europe’s food and beverage industry, boosted by high-profile supporters. Google searches for the ingredient jumped 450% in one night, following a mention of it on Amazon’s Clarkson’s Farm.
Lion’s Mane fungi are known for their shaggy, white appearance. They grow on dead hardwood trees in North America, Asia, and Europe. These mushrooms have been long praised for their beneficial health effects. Hippocrates, an ancient Greek physician who lived in 450 BCE, reportedly used these mushrooms as part of his health toolkit.
Two compounds, hericenones (heroin) and erinacines (erinacines), are said to improve mood, ease anxiety, and boost cognitive functions. Some research suggests that these two compounds protect the brain against the cognitive effects associated with ageing. Many experts, however, are calling for more studies to support these claims.
Many consumers choose to take their daily dose of caffeine via coffee, along with Lion’s Mane, which according to Nielsen, will grow by more than 1,300% in volume between April 2025 and now.
Dirtea claims that its Super Blend Coffee contains over 1,000mg Lion’s Mane in each serving, along with B vitamins, “which together support mental clarity and nervous system health as well as energy metabolism”.
London Nootropics, meanwhile, infuses its Flow Adaptogenic coffee with Hifas da Terra Lion’s Mane mushrooms “for those who seek focus and clarity throughout the day.”
Maca
Maca is said to be a coffee with a malty, creamy taste. It’s no wonder that it has become a popular addition to the ever-growing list of functional coffees.
The root of Peruvian Ginseng is a mixture of fibres, proteins, amino acids and carbohydrates, along with vitamins such as calcium and iron. Holland & Barrett, a UK health retailer, calls it a “potent superfood” that has been used for decades by South American indigenous peoples to improve stamina and treat sexual dysfunction.
Recent studies focused more on the role of Maca in hormonal regulation. One Chinese study reported a significant reduction in depression for postmenopausal woman who took 3.3g Maca per day. There are only 29 participants, so more research is needed to confirm these results.
The Protein Works, a major functional food brand in the United States has embraced this South American Superfood. The Mushroom Coffee contains 368mg of adaptogenic blends that combine Maca Root with Ashwagandha, Siberian Ginseng, and other herbs. The coffee contains only half as much caffeine as regular coffee and it is meant to support focus, energy, and overall wellbeing.
L-Theanine
The amino acid l-theanine, found in black and green tea leaves in large quantities, is also gaining attention.
Some studies claim that l-theanine promotes relaxation by balancing the stimulant effects of coffee. It also increases alpha brain waves, which are associated with relaxation. This reduces stress, anxiety, and improves sleep. Researchers say that these results are often inconsistent.
Nutraceuticals Group says that although l-theanine can be produced in a synthetic form by activating a reaction between ethylamine and glutamic acids, this ingredient is not currently allowed to be sold or used within the EU. The Nutraceuticals Group says that L-theanine can be extracted from tea leaves by soaking them in solvents to remove the theanine compounds. The process is expensive, and can cost up to twenty times the amount per unit of active ingredient.
It is possible that this makes l’theanine less popular in functional coffees, but there are exceptions. London Brand Nootropics says, for instance, that the l’theanine in their Zen Coffee has been “meticulously extracted for purity and bioavailability.”