True story: I did not have my first whole cup of coffee until graduate school. Yes, I managed to make it through high school and college, including dozens of all-nighters during the latter educational experience without regular jolts of java.
Do not chalk up this “accomplishment” to my possession of super-human energy but rather my immature palate. I just couldn’t stand the taste of coffee, so my preferred caffeinated beverage of choice was hot tea with Splenda, and barring that, Diet Mountain Dew.
See what I mean about immaturity?
In the course of my doctoral studies, one of my colleagues (in utter disbelief of my coffee avoidance) introduced me to some milder blends, and I discovered, “Hey, this stuff isn’t so bad and man it really works!"
Thus began my journey into recreational coffee use.
Recently, I had the opportunity to a most unusual varietal: Mushroom Cups, which, as a the name suggests, are a line of coffees infused with chanterelle mushrooms. What’s the point of fusing Folger’s with fungus? The aforementioned species of mushrooms are high in vitamins D and B, which help convert food into energy and promote the production of serotonin.
Why Mushroom Cups Deserve A Place In Your Pandemic Pantry
Available in four flavors designed with different effects in mind (“Fitness”, “Focus”, “Heal”, “Relax”), Mushroom Cups provide balanced blends devoid of excess acid (which can cause that wretched coffee reflux). Both kinds I tried (the “Fitness” and “Focus”) gave me a boost that waxed and waned gradually—no uncomfortable “spike” followed by a plummet into the despairing depths of fatigue.
The “Fitness” was milder than the “Focus” and neither had any discernible mushroom flavor. This is a good thing because I don’t know about you, but if I want to taste some ‘shrooms, I’ll nosh on a grilled portabella sandwich or add some buttons to my pizza, not sip them from a mug.
Finally, Mushroom Cups require little effort to prepare, perfect for those early mornings or late nights when boiling water is the only “cooking” you can handle.
