Introduction

Coffee is a strong tool for many people. Its a tasty, calming start of the day and it can be an effective way to boost energy levels and productivity. However for people like me it causes jitters and brain fog, which can critically effect studies and work life.

In recent years, mushroom coffee has exploded in popularity for its natural energy-boosting benefits without the jitters or crashes commonly associated with regular coffee. Two of the biggest names in the space are RYZE Mushroom Coffee and Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee. Both offer unique blends that promise focus, energy, and wellness benefits, but how do they really stack up against each other?

In this Fungi Review blog, we’ll compare RYZE and Four Sigmatic across multiple categories so you can decide which mushroom coffee is the best fit for your daily brew.

What is Mushroom Coffee?

Before diving into the comparison, let's briefly explain what mushroom coffee is. Mushroom coffee blends traditional coffee beans with medicinal mushrooms like lion’s mane, cordyceps, chaga, and reishi. These mushrooms have been used for centuries in traditional medicine for their immune-boosting, cognitive-enhancing, and stress-relieving properties.

Brand Overview

RYZE Mushroom Coffee

RYZE is a relatively new brand that has quickly become a favorite in the mushroom coffee world. Their coffee is made with a blend of lion’s mane, cordyceps, reishi, and shiitake mushrooms, mixed with organic coffee for a smooth, creamy cup. RYZE focuses on helping users feel calm, focused, and energized throughout the day without experiencing a caffeine crash.

• Key ingredients: Lion’s mane, cordyceps, reishi, shiitake, and MCT oil
• Caffeine content: 48 mg per serving (significantly less than regular coffee)
• Taste profile: Earthy, creamy, slightly nutty
• Price: $36 for a 30-serving bag

Coupon code: FUNGIREVIEW 15% off

Related Blog: Ryze Coffee Review

Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee

Four Sigmatic is a pioneer in the mushroom coffee space, offering a variety of mushroom coffee blends for different wellness goals. Their most popular blend, Think Coffee, combines lion’s mane and chaga mushrooms with organic Arabica coffee. Four Sigmatic prides itself on creating an experience similar to traditional coffee, but with added health benefits.

• Key ingredients: Lion’s mane, chaga, organic Arabica coffee
• Caffeine content: 50 mg per serving (lower than regular coffee)
• Taste profile: Rich and smooth with a mild coffee flavor
• Price: $15 for a 10-serving box (single-serve packets)

Related Blog: Four Sigmatic Review

RYZE Coffee

Pros and Cons for Ryze Coffee

PROS	CONS
Health Benefits: Adaptogenic mushrooms like Lion's Mane, Cordyceps, Reishi, and others may enhance mental clarity and provide sustained energy and other potential benefits.	Taste Profile: It has a tea/matcha-like flavor that might not appeal to traditional coffee lovers.
Low Caffeine: Offers a lower caffeine alternative, reducing the risk of jitters and crashes, making it suitable for those sensitive to caffeine.	Price Point: Higher cost compared to regular coffee, which might not fit all budgets.
Digestive Support: Contains MCT oil and prebiotics, promoting better digestion and gut health.	Availability: Mainly available online, which can be inconvenient for those who prefer in-store purchases.
Antioxidant-Rich: Packed with antioxidants that can help support overall health and wellness.	Texture: The texture might be different from regular coffee, potentially requiring an adjustment period.

The mushroom blend in RYZE is designed for comprehensive health and wellness. Each cup includes lion’s mane for mental clarity, cordyceps for physical stamina, reishi for stress relief, and shiitake for immune support. This blend also contains MCT oil, which supports brain health and offers sustained energy.

• Benefits:
  • Enhanced focus and mental clarity
  • Reduced stress and anxiety
  • Immune system support
  • Boosted physical endurance

Four Sigmatic

Pros and Cons for Four Sigmatic

PROS	CONS
High-quality Ingredients: Four Sigmatic uses organic, sustainably sourced msuhrooms in their coffee.	Lack of Mushrooms: Limited variety in mushroom blend compared to RYZE (no cordyceps, reishi, or MCT oil).
10,000+ positive reviews: With thousands of positive reviews on amazon, the product's credibility is supported by real customer feedback.	Caffeine Content: Although it contains less caffeine than traditional coffee, it may still be too much for those who are caffeine-sensitive.
Health Benefits: Mushroom coffee is known to improve focus, energy, and well-being, thanks to the functional mushrooms in the blend.	Taste: The earthy mushroom flavor isn’t for everyone, though adding creamer can mask it.
Easy Preperation: Whether you prefer hot coffee or cold brews, Four Sigmatic makes it simple to incorporate mushrooms into your routine.
Variety of Flavors: Choose from different blends and flavors, allowing you to find the one that suits your taste.

Four Sigmatic’s most popular blend includes lion’s mane and chaga, each chosen for its cognitive and immune-boosting properties. Lion’s mane is known for enhancing focus and memory, while chaga supports overall wellness and fights inflammation. The combination of these mushrooms provides a mental boost without over-stimulating the nervous system.

• Benefits:
• Improved cognitive function and memory
• Immune system support
• Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties

 

Ingredients Comparison

RYZE Mushroom Coffee Ingredients

1. Lion’s Mane Mushroom

   • Key Benefits: Cognitive enhancement, memory improvement, mental clarity.
   • How it Works: Lion’s mane stimulates the production of nerve growth factor (NGF), which is crucial for maintaining and regenerating neurons in the brain. This helps with mental clarity, focus, and memory, making it ideal for individuals seeking better cognitive function throughout the day.

2. Cordyceps Mushroom

   • Key Benefits: Increased energy, physical stamina, enhanced oxygen uptake.
   • How it Works: Cordyceps helps improve the body’s oxygen utilization, which is essential for physical performance and endurance. This mushroom also boosts ATP production (the body’s primary energy carrier), providing long-lasting energy without the crash of high-caffeine beverages.

3. Reishi Mushroom

   • Key Benefits: Stress relief, immune support, relaxation.
   • How it Works: Reishi is a powerful adaptogen, helping the body adapt to stress and promoting relaxation without causing drowsiness. It also supports the immune system by balancing inflammatory responses and strengthening immune defenses, making it beneficial for overall wellness.

4. Shiitake Mushroom

   • Key Benefits: Immune support, cardiovascular health.
   • How it Works: Shiitake mushrooms contain beta-glucans, which activate the immune system and help the body defend against infections. Shiitake also supports heart health by lowering cholesterol levels and improving circulation.

5. Organic Coffee

   • Key Benefits: Energy boost, focus.
   • How it Works: With 48 mg of caffeine, the organic coffee in RYZE provides a gentle energy boost without overstimulation. It’s a lower dose compared to regular coffee, giving you the benefits of caffeine (alertness and focus) without the common side effects like jitters or a crash.

6. MCT Oil

   • Key Benefits: Brain health, sustained energy, fat metabolism.
   • How it Works: MCT oil is easily absorbed and quickly converted into ketones, providing the brain with an immediate source of fuel. This helps improve focus and mental clarity while also promoting fat metabolism and sustained energy throughout the day.

 

Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee Ingredients

1. Lion’s Mane Mushroom

   • Key Benefits: Cognitive enhancement, memory support, mental clarity.
   • How it Works: Like in RYZE, lion’s mane in Four Sigmatic supports brain health by promoting nerve growth and improving memory and focus. This makes it ideal for people looking to enhance productivity and maintain mental sharpness without the need for high doses of caffeine.

2. Chaga Mushroom

   • Key Benefits: Immune support, antioxidant protection, anti-inflammatory.
   • How it Works: Chaga is packed with antioxidants, particularly melanin and beta-glucans, which help neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation in the body. Its immune-boosting properties help protect the body from infections and improve overall wellness. Chaga’s anti-inflammatory effects make it a great choice for promoting long-term health and fighting oxidative stress.

3. Organic Arabica Coffee

   • Key Benefits: Energy boost, focus, smooth flavor.
   • How it Works: Four Sigmatic uses organic Arabica coffee, which contains 50 mg of caffeine per serving. This provides a moderate energy boost similar to a traditional cup of coffee, but with less caffeine than regular coffee. The smooth, rich taste of Arabica beans is ideal for those who love the traditional coffee experience with the added benefits of medicinal mushrooms.

Ingredient Comparison: Side-by-Side

Ingredient	RYZE Mushroom Coffee	Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee
Lion’s Mane	Present – Cognitive enhancement, memory, focus	Present – Cognitive enhancement, memory, focus
Cordyceps	Present – Energy, stamina, oxygen uptake	Not included
Reishi	Present – Stress relief, immune support	Not included
Shiitake	Present – Immune support, cardiovascular health	Not included
Chaga	Not included	Present – Immune support, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory
MCT Oil	Present – Brain health, sustained energy	Not included
Organic Coffee	Present – 48 mg caffeine per serving	Not included (Arabica coffee used instead)
Organic Arabica Coffee	Not included	Present – 50 mg caffeine per serving, smooth flavor

 

Key Ingredient Insights

1. Mushroom Variety

   • RYZE features a more comprehensive mushroom blend with lion’s mane, cordyceps, reishi, and shiitake mushrooms, offering a wider range of health benefits that target cognitive function, physical endurance, immune support, and stress relief.
   • Four Sigmatic focuses on a simpler yet powerful combination of lion’s mane and chaga, emphasizing cognitive function and immune support, with a strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory focus thanks to the chaga content.

2. Caffeine Content and Coffee Type

   • RYZE has 48 mg of caffeine per serving from its organic coffee, providing a lower caffeine option for those looking to reduce their intake. The blend with MCT oil helps maintain steady energy and focus without the crash.
   • Four Sigmatic includes 50 mg of caffeine from organic Arabica coffee, delivering a more traditional coffee experience with a moderate caffeine boost, great for coffee lovers who still want functional mushroom benefits.

3. Added Ingredients

   • RYZE includes MCT oil, a unique addition that supports brain health, cognitive function, and fat metabolism. This sets it apart as a more complete wellness drink for those seeking both physical and mental performance enhancement.
   • Four Sigmatic does not include MCT oil but focuses on chaga, which offers powerful antioxidant and immune-boosting benefits, making it an excellent choice for overall health and longevity.

Taste Comparison

Taste is a big factor when choosing a mushroom coffee, and both RYZE and Four Sigmatic have distinct flavor profiles.

RYZE

RYZE offers a more earthy, creamy flavor. Thanks to the MCT oil and lack of sugar, it has a smooth texture, which many describe as rich and nutty. It’s a bit more muted in terms of coffee flavor, making it ideal for those who don’t want the bitter, acidic aftertaste of traditional coffee.

Four Sigmatic

Four Sigmatic is closer to the taste of regular coffee. Their Arabica beans bring a slightly stronger and more robust coffee flavor, with a rich, smooth finish. The mushroom flavors are subtle, making it a good option for those who prefer the taste of traditional coffee but want the added benefits of mushrooms.

Caffeine Content

Both RYZE and Four Sigmatic offer lower caffeine content than regular coffee, making them great alternatives for those sensitive to caffeine or looking to reduce their intake.

• RYZE contains 48 mg of caffeine per serving, which is about half of a regular cup of coffee. This lower amount helps provide steady energy without the crash.
• Four Sigmatic offers 50 mg of caffeine per serving, which is similar to RYZE and gives a gentle, sustained boost throughout the day.

Price and Availability

When it comes to price, RYZE and Four Sigmatic are fairly comparable, though Four Sigmatic offers more flexibility in terms of serving sizes.

• RYZE: $36 for a 30-serving bag ($1.20 per serving)
• Four Sigmatic: $15 for a 10-serving box ($1.50 per serving)

While Four Sigmatic may seem more expensive per serving, it’s worth noting that their single-serve packets are great for on-the-go, whereas RYZE comes in a bulk powder format.

Choosing The Right Mushroom Brand:

It's important to remember that mushroom supplements are still not FDA-approved and are sold as dietary supplements. Therefore, that leaves the consumer responsible for doing their own thorough research on brands before giving them a try. Sadly, as the mushroom niche gains more popularity, more shady brands come out and use cheaper growing methods that could lead to negative side effects. Remember to look for Third-party testing, organically grown, location, and other factors before choosing the brand for you. Although we would recommend both products based on our own experience and research found, it's important the consumer researches a brand before giving it a try or speaking to a doctor. Check out our other blogs on researching mushroom brands and how to read third-party testing at the Fungi Purity & Potency Guide for more info on this.

Final Verdict: RYZE or Four Sigmatic?

Choosing between Ryze and Four Sigmatic ultimately comes down to personal preference and specific health goals. When considering Ryze coffee or Four Sigmatic, it's important to note that both are considered good mushroom coffee options. RYZE offers a more comprehensive mushroom blend, targeting mental clarity, stress relief, immune support, and physical stamina. Its inclusion of MCT oil also provides an added brain boost and steady energy levels, making it great for those seeking an all-in-one wellness beverage. While Four Sigmatic focuses more on cognitive support and immune health through lion’s mane and chaga. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, along with a coffee-like taste, make it a great option for traditional coffee drinkers who want to enhance their wellness without giving up the flavor of regular coffee.

Both brands deliver on their promises of providing a healthier coffee substitute, harnessing the unique power of mushrooms to support your ovrall wellness. Whether you prefer the broad range of health benefits and can handle the slightly earthy flavor, RYZE is an excellent choice. Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee, on the other hand, focuses on a more traditional coffee experience with a balanced boost from lion’s mane and chaga. This option is great for coffee lovers who want to enjoy the familiar taste of organic Arabica coffee while benefiting from enhanced cognitive function and powerful antioxidant support. In the debate of Ryze Mushroom Coffee vs Four Sigmatic, evaluating which one is superior and offers better value for money based on personal experience can help you make an informed decision.

Make sure to stay informed by checking out our other blogs and following us on social media!