Lion’s Mane Matcha: A Better Way to Start Your Day?
If your morning routine usually starts with coffee, there’s another option worth trying: Lion’s Mane matcha.
Matcha has been enjoyed for centuries for its distinctive flavor, bright green color, and naturally occurring caffeine. Lion’s Mane mushroom has become increasingly popular as people look for new ways to incorporate culinary and functional mushrooms into everyday foods and drinks.
Put the two together and you get a flavorful morning drink with a distinctly earthy, green-tea character.
At Shroom-Mates, we combined the two in our Grand Rising Matcha + Lion’s Mane Mushroom Tea—a simple way to enjoy matcha and Lion’s Mane together.
What Is Lion’s Mane Matcha?
Lion’s Mane matcha is simply a matcha-based drink that incorporates Lion’s Mane mushroom.
Matcha is made from finely ground green tea leaves, which gives it a stronger, more concentrated tea flavor than a typical steeped green tea.
Lion’s Mane, meanwhile, is a distinctive white mushroom with long, cascading spines. We grow Lion’s Mane ourselves here at Shroom-Mates, along with Oyster mushrooms, Reishi, Shiitake, Chestnut, and Pioppino.
The combination creates something that's quite different from either mushroom coffee or traditional green tea.
You get the fresh, grassy character of matcha along with the mild earthy notes of Lion’s Mane.
Why Combine Matcha and Lion’s Mane?
The appeal of the combination is partly about creating a different kind of morning ritual.
Matcha naturally contains caffeine, so it can be used as a caffeinated alternative to coffee. The amount of caffeine varies by product and preparation, so it's always a good idea to check the label for the specific product you're using.
Lion’s Mane brings a completely different ingredient to the cup.
Rather than trying to make the mushroom flavor overpower the matcha, a good Lion’s Mane matcha should allow the two flavors to work together.
The result is an earthy, slightly savory twist on a familiar tea.
What Does Lion’s Mane Matcha Taste Like?
If you've never tried it, don't expect it to taste like mushroom soup.
Matcha has a naturally grassy, vegetal flavor with a slight bitterness.
Lion’s Mane has a much milder flavor and can add an earthy quality to the drink.
When combined, the matcha remains the dominant flavor while the Lion’s Mane gives the drink a subtle mushroom character.
If you're already a fan of matcha, it's an easy combination to experiment with.
Lion’s Mane Matcha vs. Mushroom Coffee
One of the questions we hear is: Why choose matcha instead of mushroom coffee?
Honestly, it comes down to what you enjoy.
Mushroom coffee
Mushroom coffee has a roasted, rich flavor because the base is coffee.
Our Mushroom Coffee combines Arabica coffee with Lion’s Mane and Reishi.
It's a natural choice for someone who doesn't want to give up their morning cup of coffee but wants to incorporate mushrooms into the routine.
Lion’s Mane matcha
Lion’s Mane matcha has a completely different personality.
It's:
Fresh and grassy
Earthy
Tea-based
Easy to serve hot or cold
A good option for people who enjoy matcha
Neither is necessarily "better." They're simply two different ways to enjoy mushrooms as part of a daily beverage.
How to Make Lion’s Mane Matcha
Making a cup of Lion’s Mane matcha doesn't have to be complicated.
Hot Lion’s Mane Matcha
Start with your desired serving of Lion’s Mane matcha.
Add a small amount of hot water and whisk until smooth.
Then add additional hot water to reach your preferred strength.
You can enjoy it as-is or add your favorite milk.
Iced Lion’s Mane Matcha
For an iced version, prepare the matcha with a small amount of hot water first.
Whisk until smooth.
Fill a glass with ice and pour the prepared matcha over it.
Add cold water or your favorite milk and stir.
For a sweeter drink, add honey, maple syrup, or your preferred sweetener.
Make It a Matcha Latte
One of our favorite ways to enjoy matcha is as a latte.
Prepare your Lion’s Mane matcha with a small amount of hot water.
Whisk until smooth.
Add steamed or warmed milk.
You can use:
Whole milk
Oat milk
Almond milk
Coconut milk
Your favorite milk alternative
A little honey or maple syrup can also balance the natural bitterness of matcha.
Make an Iced Lion’s Mane Matcha Latte
This is especially good on a warm morning.
What You'll Need
Lion’s Mane matcha
Water
Ice
Milk or milk alternative
Optional honey or maple syrup
Directions
Whisk the matcha with a small amount of hot water.
Add sweetener if desired.
Fill a glass with ice.
Add your milk.
Pour the matcha over the top.
Stir and enjoy.
It's simple, refreshing, and completely different from your typical iced coffee.
When Should You Drink Lion’s Mane Matcha?
For many people, matcha fits naturally into a morning routine.
It can also work well as an afternoon tea.
Because matcha contains caffeine, keep your overall caffeine intake in mind if you're drinking multiple caffeinated beverages throughout the day. Individual sensitivity to caffeine varies, and the FDA notes that excessive caffeine can cause problems such as jitters, sleep disruption, increased heart rate, and anxiety.
That's one reason we recommend treating Lion’s Mane matcha as a beverage to enjoy—not something you need to consume in large amounts.
What Makes Shroom-Mates Lion’s Mane Matcha Different?
We wanted to create something that was easy to incorporate into a normal morning routine.
Our Grand Rising Matcha + Lion’s Mane Mushroom Tea brings together matcha and Lion’s Mane in one convenient blend. It's part of our larger collection of mushroom-based beverages, which also includes our Mushroom Coffee, Blue Dream Tea, and Mushroom Chai.
And because we actually grow Lion’s Mane ourselves, mushrooms aren't just an ingredient we buy and put into a package.
They're something we grow from the ground up.
Our Lion’s Mane is grown in our own mushroom operation alongside several other varieties.
Once harvested, some of our Lion’s Mane is sold fresh, while other mushrooms are dried and used in our products.
Lion’s Mane Matcha as Part of Your Morning Ritual
There's something nice about having a morning drink that feels like a ritual instead of simply grabbing whatever is closest.
Whisking matcha, adding your favorite milk, pouring it over ice, or sitting down with a warm cup gives you a few minutes to slow down and enjoy the process.
That's really what we like about mushroom beverages.
They don't have to be complicated.
You can enjoy mushroom coffee in the morning, a matcha latte when you're in the mood for something different, or one of our mushroom teas later in the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Lion’s Mane matcha contain caffeine?
Matcha naturally contains caffeine. The exact amount depends on the matcha and serving size, so check the product label for the specific amount.
Does Lion’s Mane matcha taste like mushrooms?
Not strongly. Matcha's grassy flavor is generally the dominant flavor, while Lion’s Mane can contribute a subtle earthy character.
Can you drink Lion’s Mane matcha cold?
Absolutely. Prepare the matcha with a small amount of hot water first, then pour it over ice and add cold water or milk.
Can you make Lion’s Mane matcha into a latte?
Yes. Add your prepared matcha to warm or steamed milk for a simple Lion’s Mane matcha latte.
Is Lion’s Mane matcha better than coffee?
That's really a matter of personal preference. Coffee and matcha have different flavors and caffeine profiles. Lion’s Mane matcha is simply another way to incorporate mushrooms into a beverage.
Where can I get Lion’s Mane matcha?
Shroom-Mates makes Grand Rising Matcha + Lion’s Mane Mushroom Tea, available through our online shop.
A Different Way to Start the Day
Coffee isn't the only way to start your morning.
If you enjoy the flavor of matcha and want to try something a little different, Lion’s Mane matcha is an easy combination to add to your routine.
Make it hot.
Turn it into a latte.
Pour it over ice.
Or simply whisk it with water and enjoy the earthy combination of matcha and Lion’s Mane.
Ready to try it?
Shop Grand Rising Matcha + Lion’s Mane Mushroom Tea at Shroom-Mates.
