As the UK coffee market undergoes an interesting transformation, we see functional coffees making waves with consumers in the region. Photo by Elina Kivinen on Unsplash Coffee shop menus nationwide are undergoing a radical shift. Better yet, they’re developing new ones that include health-boosting ingredients such as lion’s mane mushrooms. With growing interest in health and wellness, many coffee drinkers are turning to these enhanced brews as a means to improve focus and overall well-being.
Perhaps no one has been an advocate for this trend longer than Zak Haddad, owner of the coffee shop Sipp. To help keep his offerings fresh, he’s recently introduced lion’s mane coffee to his menu. Now, customers can supercharge their daily caffeine routine with this new alternative on the block! “We offer four different types of mushroom powder on our menu,” Haddad stated, reflecting the growing demand for these unique coffee alternatives.
Read more from nutritionist Eli Brecher about the trend towards functional coffee. She herself is an avid mushroom coffee drinker, and says it provides a better focus “without the jitters of traditional coffee.” She thinks this new phenomenon is more than a matter of flavor. It’s indicative of a national, broader push towards adopting less sedentary and more active lifestyles.
Brecher mentioned that functional add-ons now account for around 15% of Black Sheep’s total coffee, matcha, and smoothie orders. This number speaks to the rising demand for these products as retail industry consumers remain hungry to play around in the beverage space. “So if it makes you feel good and you have the budget for it, then go ahead and enjoy,” she advised. At the same time, she warned that functional ingredients need to be an “add-on, not a silver bullet.”
Professor James Fleming is a professor of sports nutrition at St Mary’s University. Additionally, he raised the bar on the conversation around functional coffees. He further explained that the average American “is not having a hard time” meeting their protein needs. This makes you wonder, then, if functional coffees are really a category that’s needed for the average consumer. Even so, he is aware that a lot of people like these things for the wrong reasons.
Rakhi Lad, a nutritional therapist, would rather point you toward this promising research on lion’s mane mushrooms. She’s particularly focused on their impact on brain health. Anecdotal evidence supports this perspective as well. Ana Richardson, a lion’s mane coffee drinker, expressed her experience succinctly: “It feels like my brain just started working.”
The trend toward mushroom coffees goes far beyond just magic mushrooms. New York City resident Mariam Begum incorporates collagen or protein into her daily coffee routine. This new pick reflects her increasing focus on functional, health-oriented beverages that cater to varying health concerns.
Andrew Salter, co-founder of Dirtea, a company that focuses on mushroom-based beverages, explained that lion’s mane has a “delicate flavor.” This quality helps it be an approachable beverage for first time drinkers exploring the functional coffee space. As consumers continue to explore the ever-expanding world of beverages, we might see more and more of these adventurous options hit cafe menus.
Former competitive powerlifter Lauren Devlin can’t wait to sample functional coffee. She’s so jazzed about it that she’s prepared to buy it the moment it lands in her neighborhood café.… fitness enthusiasts and health-conscious consumers have shown a growing interest. Yet, most importantly, they’re looking nowhere in particular and willing to try anything to improve their performance and well-being.
In recent months, retailers have process been deemed a big surprise. Holland and Barrett almost doubled its range of mushroom coffees over the last year. This amendment is in direct response to the increased consumer demand. This increase in availability suggests that functional coffee might not just be a passing fad but rather an evolving segment of the beverage market.
Fortunately, that trend is changing quickly. Functional coffees in particular are already having an impact on how consumers consider their daily caffeine consumption. These one-of-a-kind infusions prioritize health and wellness while helping to improve cognitive function. With the right support, they can easily become a mainstay of the UK high street.